The United States has become the largest operator of foreign military bases in the world. It is a common trend across the globe to have these bases and as they help to boost a nation’s military prowess. Usually, only allies are allowed to bring their soldiers into a country and carry out certain operations. Having an enemy’s military base might prove fatal, especially when a war erupts.
In 2015, it was reported that the US had more foreign military bases than “any other people, nation, or Empire in History”, and this aspect was described as “doing us (Americans) more harm than good.” Reports show that American soldiers were found in many territories where they were settled and claimed to be maintaining global peace. “As distinct from other peoples, most Americans do not recognize – or do not want to recognize – that the United States dominates the world through its military power. Due to the government secrecy, our citizens are often ignorant of the fact that our garrisons encircle the plane,” as noted by scholar and former CIA consultant Chalmers Johnson.
But in 2015, it was not that “there are no freestanding base permanently located in the United States.” It shows how the Americans are not open to having foreign military personnel in their territory. This might also be linked to that the country does not gain a lot from a foreign nation establishing a base on their soil.
Research depict that many world countries tend to benefit from having a US military base in their country. The biggest benefit is linked to finances as the US Treasury Department rolls out a lot of funds in paying countries that host them. Also, developing countries seem to accept American military personnel to get aid for instilling peace in their nation, especially where there are rebellious acts by extremist groups. Historians posited how the establishment of the foreign military was triggered after the World Wars as a need to maintain global peace and look after certain allies. This was done by superpowers who projected to incur huge losses if world wars erupted again, so they filled the whole earth to secure their interests.
Based on these factors, it becomes clear why the US does not have a lot of foreign military bases in its state. More so, Americans boost advanced military equipment, which is necessary for national defense without relying too much on its allies. But the country does play host to some foreign military personnel. For instance, Britain has some troops stationed in the US. According to the UK government, it has troops in six American states, which include California (Edwards Air Force Base, Nevada (Creech Air Force Base), and South Carolina (MCAS Beaufort).
Recently, the US collaborated with the UK and Australia to strengthen their security stance and be able to counter China. This saw the admission of Australian and British troops into the US to conduct their security plans of surpassing the Chinese developments. Also, the US has a long history of military games between the Australian Defence Force and the US military, which might suggest that these two countries have strong military relations.
The US also links up with the German military wing and co-operates some bases in Germany. Reports reveal how the Americans and the Germans collaborate in certain military operations and have aided each other’s weaponry archives.
The US is more inclined to collaborative operations in which it allows foreign military troops to operate on its territory rather than permit any country to establish a foreign military base.
