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Actually most of these bases are there because when there's trouble in those parts of the world, we need a place to be able to get troops, equipment and supplie

Actually most of these bases are there because when there's trouble in those parts of the world, we need a place to be able to get troops, equipment and supplies into a given theater in a fast, efficient manner. The countries reap the economic benefits for sure, so it's a win/win situation for both countries. Not so much when the US starts cutting back on its military: City officials in Heidelberg expect annual financial losses of up to $25 million, as a result of the closures of U.S. bases in the region. "We estimate that a total of about 1,000 civilian jobs will be lost, when the nearly 8,000 service members pull out," said Diana Scharl, a spokesperson for the city of Heidelberg. http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/06/30/12482964-bye-bye-gi-deep-impact-for-many-germans-as-us-troops-downsize?lite http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/06/30/12482964-bye-b... I'd love for us to pull back from a lot of these areas, but let's face it, when one country invades another, they don't call France, Ireland, or Norway to help them do they? They expect the US to be the world's defender from the bad guys.

dragonwriter 10y ago
> I'd love for us to pull back from a lot of these areas, but let's face it, when one country invades another, they don't call France, Ireland, or Norway to help them do they? 1. This makes it sound like you are talking about the invading country calling for help. Which is probably not what you intend. 2. In point of fact, if its in Africa, the boots on the ground for any call for help (whether the problem which provoked it is internal fighting or international conflict) are more likely to be French than American.
- s_q_b 10y ago
  And France's African adventurism is... You guessed it. Made possible by massive security guarantees from the United States, as well as the US troops on European soil.
Chris2048 10y ago
> when one country invades another NATO? PeaceKeepers?
- GunboatDiplomat 10y ago
  And by NATO you mean who, exactly? The US constitutes basically all the long range power projection capabilities of NATO. Hell, the rest could barely sustain a bombing campaign in Libya without US support. So, let's be honest, the US is the core of NATO, and everyone else depends on US logistical capabilities if they want to deploy troops outside their immediate area, with the limited exceptions of the UK and France.

dragonwriter 10y ago

> I'd love for us to pull back from a lot of these areas, but let's face it, when one country invades another, they don't call France, Ireland, or Norway to help them do they? 1. This makes it sound like you are talking about the invading country calling for help. Which is probably not what you intend. 2. In point of fact, if its in Africa, the boots on the ground for any call for help (whether the problem which provoked it is internal fighting or international conflict) are more likely to be French than American.

s_q_b 10y ago
And France's African adventurism is... You guessed it. Made possible by massive security guarantees from the United States, as well as the US troops on European soil.

Chris2048 10y ago

> when one country invades another NATO? PeaceKeepers?

GunboatDiplomat 10y ago
And by NATO you mean who, exactly? The US constitutes basically all the long range power projection capabilities of NATO. Hell, the rest could barely sustain a bombing campaign in Libya without US support. So, let's be honest, the US is the core of NATO, and everyone else depends on US logistical capabilities if they want to deploy troops outside their immediate area, with the limited exceptions of the UK and France.