Overseas Bases and US Strategy: Optimising America's Military Footprint

Overseas military bases are crucial for the US to project military power, exert political influence, and deter potential adversaries. However, fatigue with America's 'forever wars' and financial and strategic reasons have led to a desire to reduce US global military activities and overseas presence. Jonathan Stevenson argues that this desire does not necessarily translate into sound strategy, as overseas bases are essential for reassurance and bolstering the US's reputation. Strategic imperatives and geopolitical realities impose restraints in every theatre, and reducing forward military presence may not be consistent with a policy that is less focused on military power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Since the Second World War, the United States has relied on its overseas military bases to project military power, exert political influence, and deter potential adversaries. However, growing fatigue with America's "forever wars" and more nuanced financial and strategic considerations have led both the public and policy community to favor reducing US global military activities and overseas presence.

In his book, Jonathan Stevenson contends that this desire for reduced military engagement does not necessarily translate into sound strategy. Overseas bases are crucial for providing the reassurance needed to restore and strengthen America's reputation among its allies and adversaries. At the same time, strategic imperatives and geopolitical realities impose limitations in every theater.

The Middle East and Indo-Pacific regions, in particular, require maintaining forward-deployed forces to address the fluidity and challenges posed by these regions. Russia's confrontational posture towards NATO and its invasion of Ukraine have highlighted the importance of the American presence in Europe, particularly in expanding eastward. However, the US should not solely rely on forward-deployed military power and should prioritize diplomacy as a means of achieving stability and security.

A foreign policy that emphasizes a heavy reliance on forward-deployed military power while neglecting diplomacy may not be effective in achieving long-term stability and security. On the other hand, reducing forward military presence may not align with a policy that aims to reduce military power as a tool for achieving stability and security.

In conclusion, the United States must carefully consider the balance between reducing military activities overseas and maintaining a strong military presence to ensure stability and security in a complex and rapidly changing global landscape.

Weight: 10g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032396095