What right do we have to have so many troops based in other countries?

Question

The US Military has bases in 63 countries.

Brand new military bases have been built since September 11, 2001 in seven countries.

The total of America's military bases in other people's countries in 2005, according to official sources, was 737.

Our overseas bases, according to the Pentagon, contained 32,327 barracks, hangars, hospitals, and other buildings, which it owns, and 16,527 more that it leased.

The size of these holdings very depending on the source quoted being between 687,347 and 3 million acres.

This they say does not include bases in Afghanistan, Iraq (106 garrisons as of May 2005), Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, and Uzbekistan, even though the U.S. military has established colossal base structures in the Persian Gulf and Central Asian areas since 9/11.

So what do you think?

Is it possible people in other countries think we are menacing?

References:
http://www.alternet.org/story/47998
http://www.globalresearch.ca/PrintArticle.php?articleId=5564

Answer 1

Following the bombing of Iraq in 1991 the United States wound up with Military Bases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. All those countries are ruled by undemocratic oligarchies. The fact that the majority of the 9/11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia and that Bin Laden and KSM said the U.S. Occupation of the Arab peninsula were key reasons why they attacked shows that the leaders of these countries don't represent the majority of their citizens.

Following the bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 the U.S. wound up with Military bases in Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Bosnia and Croatia.

Following the bombing of Afghanistan in 2001 the U.S. added bases in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan*, Uzbekistan*, Tajikistan*, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Yemen and Djibouti. *(some of the most repressive dictatorships in the world)

After 2003 Iraq and dozens of new bases to go along with the world's largest Embassy. I've heard we have over 737 bases in over 130 countries.**

"It's the Occupation not the Fundamentalism." Robert Pape

Answer 2

Prior to the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom in October of 2001, most of the countries in the world with U.S. bases are those who wanted us there. Even after the post-war occupations of Japan and Germany ended, we kept bases in those countries and most of the inhabitants were happy that we were there. Now that we closing a great many bases in Germany, their national labor leaders are upset because a lot of jobs will be lost. The same thing is happening with respect to a few bases in Italy.
Personally, I think NATO should have lowered its flag over the headquarters at Mons, Belgium and cased those colors after December 26, 1991. The Soviet Union had disappeared, the Warsaw Pact had dissolved and NATO's reason for continued existence with it. Even when NATO decided to get its feet wet with the operation in Kosovo, ninety percent of the aerial combat missions were done by aircraft from Canada, the U.S. and Great Britain.
On the expense ledgers we do get a good deal from Japan. They pay all the rent for the bases, plus the cost of all of the housing needed for married personnel. They also pay the salaries and pensions of all Japanese workers employed on those bases.

Answer 3

I'm sure you won't like this answer, but the world expects us to take care of things. It's been the case for decades and has not changed. Earthquake in some itty bitty country...the US steps in and helps. No other country on the planet does what we do or can do what we can do. That's what World Leader means. We have the responsibility as leaders in the world to take care of others. That means militarily and other ways. So we have bases all over. I'd be perfectly happy with us closing our borders, spending our money at home and leaving the rest of the world to fend for themselves, but that's not the way it is.

Answer 4

The way I see it we are the one of the only countries that has the courage to confront our enemy's and deter them away not just from us but other countries. Lets apologize to french for rescuing them from ww2 as well as the Jews. Better yet lets just apology to Kuwait and tell them we did not mean to interfere with the Gulf war. I hate a few aspects of us building bases overseas but lets look at the bigger picture we are a babysiter for the whole world. I know that we need to something in Africa, look at the ethnic cleansing going on. How do you feel about us building base(s) in Africa to help them combat guerrillas and other issues they have.
Just look at the bigger picture my friend. I believe we will one day be invovled in helping Africa become stable but why does it take the USA for this to happen once againg we have the courage to do this my friend.

Answer 5

Name one US military base located in a foriegn nation that doesnt want us inside their borders, and I'll concede that we've overstepped our rights. Until then, the US military is a welcome guest in many inviting nations across the globe, all of whom are happy to have us, not only in emergencies, but year round, as countless GI's spend their big american paychecks in the local economy.

Answer 6

wow, you sure did alot of research on this, and I bet you never even been out of the country. Well let me tell you that the countries love us . And it's one of the best tactical move that the us has. Just imagine if something did break out, we have bases all over the place.

Answer 7

I can't speak for which countries view us as a threat to their objectives. There are several countries that have objectives adverse to ours which I hope are scared by the close proximity of our military as that is one of the reasons for maintaining a large contingent of our military abroad.

As to the right, we are a sovereign nation. The countries in which we are based are sovereign nations. As such, as long as both countries agree, we have every right under international law to have a base in another country (and vice versa). There is not a country that you have listed in which the current government has not consented to our presence. (Whether or not we should be in each of these countries is, of course, another question).

Answer 8

If our troops presense in other countries keep 9-1-1 from happening again Im sure all for it. If people in other countries think we are menacing and it keeps them from attacking American soil then Im all for it.If the presense of our troops keeps us a free country Yes Im all for it. God Bless our troops and what they are trying to achieve.

Answer 9

The problem with your references are they are based on media lack of intelligence.

The reason there is a need for US military presence in these foreign countries is for rapid response should trouble break out.

It's far better to fight the enemy in his back yard than it is to fight the enemy on ours.

Do you want to lose your righ to do whatever you please even if it means dissing the government?

Saddam Heussein executed his own people for talking out against him. And THAT is documented.

Answer 10

no right whatsoever and I would like Ron Paul the only candidate to espouse this philosophy get elected.