Overseas U.S. Bases: Cold War Relics or Essential to U.S. Strategy.

摘要

The late 1940s and early 5Os gave roots to current overseas basing arrangements--namely, the Truman Doctrine. formation of NATO, and the Korean War. This forward presence was designed to help contain the Soviet Union where any gain by communism was perceived as a threat to the world balance of power. Today, the U.S. is paring its overseas forces in response to economics and a rapidly changing world. but are the reductions just less of the same containment structure--or based on a new, post-Cold War rationale. The U.S. has been unclear about the necessity for certain overseas bases--and at times, for overseas installations in general. A few months ago we appeared determined to make a deal with the Philippines for two major facilities (Clark and Subic). Critics charged the U.S. was being held for ransom by a country that no longer cared about or needed our military presence. Then, after Mount Pinatubo erupted, we decided the bases were not vital and began withdrawing. What changed. Our national interests, alternatives, or the threat.