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I would have a problem with the UAE having "operational control of our ports" - the P&O terminals were just 1-2 out of many in each of those ports - so, yes, I wouldn't have allowed Stalin either. I guess the better analogy would be if I think Kennedy should have allowed Kruschev to lease any American port terminals. I guess I would have to say "no" to that as well.

Now, can you answer my question about Ike?

Now, can you answer my question about Ike?

IMHO, it's misleading to describe Franco as an "ally".
But in a bipolar world, Franco was an isolated fascist who was intolerant of communism.
It was merely a matter of expediency for Ike to take advantage of that situation to secure a stategic location for military bases during the Cold War. This relationship had little or nothing to do with Spain's later transition to democratic rule. The Fascist dictator didn't relax his grip until after he died. And even then, Juan Carlos didn't institute reforms until AFTER failing to suppress populist protests.