Re:Why does the USA still have troops in rich Europe?

From: estropico@virgilio.it
Date: Thu Jan 23 2003 - 07:45:57 MST


From: "estropico" <estropico@virgilio.it>
X-Mailer: YaBB

A number of reasons. None sufficient by itself to explain "why does the USA
still have troops in rich Europe", but together they could begin to shed some
light...

Europeans save money that way (significantly smaller % of GDP is spent on
the military than in the US). That way we can go on pouring cash into our
expensive welfare state...

Europe's wellbeing remains vital to american economic interests. The Russian
threat has mostly dissolved, but things could still go wrong and not
necessarily with Russia (see the Balkan wars, which the EU was clearly unable
to deal with).

The troubled and oil rich Middle East and Central Asia are more easily reached
by US troops from a German base than from an American one.

The US does not have to come to terms with another military superpower, such
as what the EU could become (over some considerable time) if the political
will was present.

A military ally that was as strong as the US (or anywhere near) would rise a
whole set of problems neither side really wish to confront.

A unified military policy for European nations is years away, despite the
first tentative steps being taken, such as the set up of a joint rapid
reaction force.

I'm sure there's more!

Cheers,
Fabio

PS: The Roman empire grew out of violent conquest, but had also win-win
aspects: subject to roman control, pay your taxes and you'll have the
stability and access to markets necessary to prosper. It worked for centuries.

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