America's Empire of Bases

[pinto]

By Chalmers Johnson

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 government secrecy, our citizens are often ignorant of the fact that our garrisons encircle the planet. This vast network of American bases on every continent except Antarctica actually constitutes a new form of empire -- an empire of bases with its own geography not likely to be taught in any high school geography class. Without grasping the dimensions of this globe-girdling Baseworld, one can't begin to understand the size and nature of our imperial aspirations or the degree to which a new kind of militarism is undermining our constitutional order.

(more)

http://www.nationinstitute.org/tomdispatch/index.mhtml?emx=x&pid=1181

great piece, link is to tomdispatch.com who's "Tomgram" featured this today.

[Toby109]

1. Thanks for the link

Good piece. 702 bases worldwide and 6,000 in the U.S and territories? I think most Americans would be shocked at those figures.

[pfitz59]

3. Most Americans don't give a shit....

They're too busy watching WWF or reading about Britney's marriage....

[pfitz59]

2. One error...Antarctica!

US has several bases on the continent!

[pscot]

8. Gee that's a relief

I don't see how we could have missed it.

[ithacan]

4. they hate democracy:

and the environment:

One reason why the Pentagon is considering moving out of rich democracies like Germany and South Korea and looks covetously at military dictatorships and poverty-stricken dependencies is to take advantage of what the Pentagon calls their "more permissive environmental regulations."

[Kellanved]

5. that's a point

The USArmy is facing serious heat in Germany because of the ammo-residues found in the trinking water of towns near their training grounds. Actors for maneuvers aren't cheap either, nor is it possible train pilots as it used to be (fighters flying between the Frankfurt Skyscraper-lettes weren't unheard off). For bases in "western" nations speaks that the families can lead a normal life and that the host-nation normally pays a certain part of the upkeep.

And of course: western nations have bases in the US as well.

[reprehensor]

6. Thanks for posting!

Good catch, I say!

[boxoffrogs]

7. and why not?

We are running the world. at least if you ask Bush.