70 Years of US Bases in UK & Europe: Time to Stay or Time To Go. (regular, Canada)
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Why are they still here and who are they defending us from????
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Guardian
It's almost never discussed in the political mainstream. But thousands of foreign troops have now been stationed in Britain for more than 70 years. There's been nothing like it since the Norman invasion. With the 15-month Dutch occupation of London in 1688-9 a distant competitor, there has been no precedent since 1066 for the presence of American forces in a string of military bases for the better part of a century.
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The US is making budget cuts, Europe is more than capable of defending it's self and the Russians are no longer a major super power. Time to go in my opinion.
I'd like to see the United States pull back its troops from most places in the world. At least 80% of bases could be shut down.
But, is this REALLY an issue for most Brits? I mean, the tone of the article is ridiculous. American troops aren't there to occupy, they are there as allies, and likely as fortification of NATO. Does anyone remember what that is? Or care? It probably boosts the local economies to have a station there, as it does in the US.
I suppose everything from hereon out is just always going to be fine, so we can disband NATO. The UN will solve everything in the future, just like the League of Nations did.
The US is making budget cuts, Europe is more than capable of defending it's self and the Russians are no longer a major super power. Time to go in my opinion.
I wouldn't go that far. I don't think anyone takes "Europe" seriously as a military power.
But they could be forced to learn how to defend themselves. Which at least would be interesting/fun to watch.
The countries that host these bases would sue the US if we tried to leave. They have entire economys dependent on these bases. I agree they should be closed or their budgets 100% transferred to NATO.
I wouldn't go that far. I don't think anyone takes "Europe" seriously as a military power.
But they could be forced to learn how to defend themselves. Which at least would be interesting/fun to watch.
A 2009 Report by the EU Institute of Strategic Studies Report showed that the number of Main Battle Tanks held by the members of the EU was 9,800, with a mere 7,951 Armoured Fighting Vehicles and a paltry 22,844 Armoured Personnel Carriers and over 2 million Regular Service Personnel and even greater numbers of reserve forces. America accounts for nearly half of world defence expenditure, the EU a further quarter of all defence expenditure and the majority of the rest is spent by China, Russia, India, Japan and countries such as Australia and Canada. So just who are we defending ourselves and are the Americans with 30,00 troops and 29 tanks really pivotal to EU defence.
The countries that host these bases would sue the US if we tried to leave. They have entire economys dependent on these bases. I agree they should be closed or their budgets 100% transferred to NATO.
The vast majority of US Troops are in Germany, with one brigade in Italy, in terms of the USAF it's mainly in Germany, Italy and the UK, and finally the US Naval Support Activity is housed in Italy.
I think the economies of Germany, Italy and the UK can survive a few base closures. The UK is even pulling it's forces out of Germany.
A 2009 Report by the EU Institute of Strategic Studies Report showed that the number of Main Battle Tanks held by the members of the EU was 9,800, with a mere 7,951 Armoured Fighting Vehicles and a paltry 22,844 Armoured Personnel Carriers and over 2 million Regular Service Personnel and even greater numbers of reserve forces. America accounts for nearly half of world defence expenditure, the EU a further quarter of all defence expenditure and the majority of the rest is spent by China, Russia, India, Japan and countries such as Australia and Canada. So just who are we defending ourselves and are the Americans with 30,00 troops and 29 tanks really pivotal to EU defence.
Western world maintains troops to "secure resources" and continued comfortable lifestyle for its people.
Often, the United States will just take the lead and the blame for such actions while Euros nestle snugly and smugly against it, while enjoying the benefits of same.
Unfortunately for the troops involved they need to be repositioned to be ready for the current and next challenges facing the USA. Not fascist Europe or soviet Russia. More appropriate would be mineral rich zones, sealanes and U.S. borders.
I write unfortunately because no more nubile frauleins to cavort with in the hofbraus instead it will be fairly grim living in the regions which need attention. Real soldering.
The present situation truly is a worlwide scramble for trade and resources.
Last edited by Felix C; 02-11-2014 at 06:06 AM..
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