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America has a vast overseas military empire. Does it still need it?
- paulryanrogers 6y agoArticle doesn't seem to advocate for or against. I'd say 'yes' it's probably too big. US could still serve as a stablizing force with more cooperation with allies and less waste.
- simonblack 6y agoKeep spendin' dem trillions, boss. Much better than wasting them on Roads, Bridges, Schools, and Hospitals.
- simonblack 6y agoInaccurate article. When the Korean War came to an end in 1953 ... The Korean War did NOT end. It is the US's longest war at 71 years, Afghanistan is only a mere 20 years old. The Korean War is still in Armistice mode. To end the war, there would have to be a Peace Treaty. The US refuses to do that.
- paulryanrogers 6y agoWhile technically accurate the incentives and momentum are heavily stacked on the side of peace. No one wants fighting to resume, and both sides now have nuclear weapons. Combat and drafting have long ended. That war is 'over'.
- ghgdynb1 6y agoThink this through. You could maintain a military so powerful no rational state would dare attack you. Or you could “right-size” until you get a military just barely powerful enough to defend your nation. You could very easily end up spending more in the second case, where you’d actually need to fight a life or death war, than in the first, where you just keep the military perpetually at the ready.
- paulryanrogers 6y agoExcept the risks to an oversized military can also include all-out war. A heavy footprint is a burden to allies and potential enemies alike. Even if balanced with 'carrots' the whole thing still weighs on the Earth's limited resources, which everyone must share. It also tempts one to abuse that power, even unintentionally so. Such abuse doesn't help maintain peace.