Chris Marino - July 24, 2012

While I believe in a strong U.S. military, I can’t say that I am disappointed by cutbacks in foreign mlitary bases. The day is past when we should feel the need to be Europe’s protector. “Speak softly but carry a big stick.”

Richard Cleary - July 24, 2012

we can drastically reduce our military overseas and NOT reduce our national security. we do not need so many bases. training excersices with countries can show a military presence, not a full time occupation. we need to get out and come home and make a base at our border. the department of defense is to defend the homeland, not police the world. we don’t even need a dept of homeland security as that is the DoDs job!

Donald DaCosta - July 24, 2012

America is suffering from a severe dose of self delusion as evidenced by the “wars” in Afghanistan and Iraq and the infuriating inability to accept the obvious reality that the indigenous populace in the Middle East hate Israel, hate everything Western and all who are non-Muslims. After 10+ years with our military engaged in “nation building” in the Middle East the majority still hate us, consider us occupiers and want us out of their country. The entire region is embroiled in the so called “Arab Spring” and the rise to power of the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel, America and the West. Does anyone in their right mind see these troublesome developments in nations that are adjacent to or in the vicinity of Iraq and Afghanistan as a potential symbol of victory worth the blood sacrifice of even one American or allied soldier?

What has this got to do with our military commitment to NATO and our European allies? It reflects the gross miscalculations that currently guide America’s military policy and posture around the world. That policy is in dire need of a reevaluation based on reality and devoid of all considerations based on what is euphemistically called “political correctness.”

In terms of equipment and manpower America has the best military in the world but uses it far too often and for very questionable, emotionally derived goals. The result is the crippling and death of the best of American men and women not only with no discernible gain in America’s interests but, as in the case of our current involvement in the Middle East, widespread, increasing animosity and the rise to power of people directly comparable to Al Qaeda and with the same intent: death to America. A terrible waste of America’s ability to project power around the world and rather than garner the respect it deserves it instead inspires the disrespect and ridicule reserved for weaklings.

America and our military are in desperate need of a dose of reality. The world is an ugly place filled with people who hate us, will probably never like us or care to emulate us. We must stop being obsessed with the idea of being loved and not feared for it is the latter that will be far more effective at protecting us and our interests than the former.

This will undoubtedly effect our future posture in Europe but, though long overdue, as hinted at above, moving too quickly and for the wrong reasons can have disastrous results.

Russ Morgan - July 24, 2012

Smaller US bases scattered in countries that want a US “presence” with a couple of larger bases for strategic deployment support are all that are needed. Europe needs to defend its own backyard with the agreement we will always come to their aid.

James Conger - July 24, 2012

Yes. There is no rational reason to continue paying for almost all of these European Bases. They amount to a European welfare program. Bring our troops home. We can get almost all out of Korea also.

john uhrhammer - July 24, 2012

Bring ALL of our troops home!
Our next war will not be fought like our previous wars; but with finances, computer and internet technology and probably from within. We haven’t the political courage to make ourselves secure so we pretend to make others secure. (most of whom no not want us in the first place) Also stop sending money abroad: We cannot buy friends but we can arm someone until they become secure enough to turn on us.

john - July 24, 2012

you can take your stand in europe or the USA. Take your pick.

Randy Edwards - July 24, 2012

i have absolutely no problem with the USA cutting back on defensive spending dedicated to Europe. The current batch of Euro zone leaders don’t appreciate our efforts anyway. Let them protect themselves. If i was President, i would bring all of our military assets back home and use them to protect our borders and put a missile and EMP screen up. Also, let the UN move to London or Paris and get rid of that expense.

A Critic - July 25, 2012

My views are pretty pedestrian. I do not see Obama as either a patriot or understanding of how Europe’s security relates to ours. I see Obama as focused mostly on Obama. Saving money on our military in Europe is just crude, ill thought out first-aid on the finances of the USA, which see Obama taking from one account (DOD) and using those funds (all imaginary anyway) to prop up his social reengineering ideology for OUR country. This is the abject level at which I see Obama and his coterie of supplicants acting out their visions of how we should change to better suite their perverted view of what America should be. Of course, this is dangerous and sooner or later Obama’s policies must be reversed…

Robert Rice - July 25, 2012

Yes, it time to let Europe young men die for the problem of that part of the world, and put ours military on our on soil and our borders.

Bill Paetkau - July 25, 2012

A strong American military foothold in Europe does not provide more security for us as much as it provides an excuse for the weeny socialist countries of Europe to abrogate their responsibilities to provide for their own security.

We should pull out of continental Europe entirely, build one large modern base in England, and outfit another highly mobile fleet to be home based on our southern seaboard. Keep the money at home, but be ready to put in a huge military presence in the next hot spot.

John Hazeltine - July 25, 2012

Protecting our major trading partners is good for American business and by extension all Americans wherever those partners are located. Europe is a vital trading partner. Part of our protection service is to dissuade all foreign states as well as freelancers from disrupting energy flows to our partners and interrupting commerce. It takes appropriate availability of force to keep potential trouble makers at bay. It would be nice if Europe would pay more to protect itself, but for the time being they won’t, yet their business is very important to us. Military protection is a necessary price we have to pay for our economic security,

Ken Marx - July 25, 2012

If this administration has its way, we are going to be caught flat footed in the same manner that we were in 1941. In today’s environment, however, we won’t have the same opportunity we had in the 40s to build up the forces needed to defeat an enemy. We also must not disregard the fact that strength deters a potential enemy from starting something in the first place.

Col Joseph C. Beck USAF Ret - July 25, 2012

Generally I still feel comfortable with cutting back some of our European commitments. No total withdrawal but we could save some funds for other purposes. It would be more encouraging if some of the European nations would spend a comparable percentage of their GDP on defense as we do. Our long reach capabilities of the USAF provide a quick response available if needed.

Philip - July 25, 2012

I do not believe it serves the interests of any republic to have numerous military bases in other countries. It only serves the designs of a nationalist central government with imperial ambitions. I am for closing any foreign military base that is not absolutely necessary to defense against an immediate threat, and I support the complete withdrawal of American military personnel from land operations in Asia (or any continent, for that matter).

Don Casler - July 25, 2012

As a Vet I know we can have a strong military worthy of super power status, without so much duplication, wasteful spending and patronage that is inherent in the current system. Expanding the cash cow that is a “permanent” base building around the world is expensive, the host country should help pay for the defense US taxpayers donates to their economies! Additionally we have plenty of force projection capability plus the threats today require a more agile force vs. bases with fleets of A1M1 tanks and F35 super fighters. Even Rumsfeld pushed for effectiveness over quantity however the politics of Defense, not actual threats often dictate how we use our resouces, and that is wasteful now. Heritage should advocate budgeting for for effective defense based on the mission, not the politics.

Steve Wickstrom - July 25, 2012

Let me just say this,Wthout our military might the world will crumble.Like it or not we “ARE” the peace makers of the world and yes the worlds police force. With out us and our bases in Europe and abroad the world will collapse from the evil within.Our world looks to America for direction from a God fearing people that supports and defends countries that cannot defend themselves.
We became the worlds defender because He gave us as a nation,more power and wealth because or founding fathers believed in God and asked for His blessings upon our fledgling nation. With those blessings came responsibilities to others who needed our help.
The less we believe as a nation in God and His direction the more we want to pull back into our caccoon for safety.
There will be no safety in Eurpoe or anywhere else without or untill our country returns to “faith, freedom,and liberty, as our founding fathers looked to God for His guidence.

Joe Reimuller - July 26, 2012

We have a strong presence because of our drones, satelites, and nuclear submarines. For that reason, we do not need to “occupy” Europe or the Middle East, including Afganistan. We also have diplomacy sabotoged by the State Dept.with liberal triple-think and professorial foolishness. We offer too many carrots, too few sticks and kicks

Joseph McKennan - July 26, 2012

I am unsure about how much effect military cutbacks in Europe will have on us. It seems to me that we have few allies in Europe anymore. I think they would love it if we pulled out. When we get home we should just unplug the phone to most of Europe. If they need help to fight another Kaiser or Hitler let them see what it is like if we don’t help.
We should not use the money saved by those cutbacks to study ants in Africa or waste it on more Solyndra mistakes, or make donations to union labor machines. We beed to reinforce our own borders and keep our military strong.

William - July 26, 2012

I believe we can stay strong with less bases and troops stationed overseas. We can use our superior technology and the ability to rapidly deploy with well trained and motivated troops if needed. Lets invest the monies in our bases, troops needs, equipment etc. Stay strong, well prepared and ready to defend our allies if called upon.

James Phillips - July 27, 2012

Personally, I am tired of funding Europe’s socialist spending policies since WWII. Unless you count cooks and clerks, they have no military and no resolve. Enough of this trend, they need to cough up more money for defense or outright compensate the U.S. for military protection and influence. Then we will see if they can still afford all their cradle to grave social programs.

LOU - July 30, 2012

I would feel better about cutbacks in the foreign military bases if our Federal Government would do their job here and protect our borders, secure our immigration and import process. If we secure America, in my opinion that is the number one role of the Federal Government, we will all be safer. Put our military on our borders and protect this homeland. If foreign countries want our protection they should pay us for our services that that is something we want to do.

Steven Rankens - August 1, 2012

With this administration gutting the military, I feel uneasy that we are weakening our military in these trying times. We still have to provide some point of reference for other countries (our allies) to know that aggressors will not take advantage of our interests. We should however have a strong military regardless, here in the US and abroad. There are extremists out there wanting to see Americans dead, and with the current administrations policies, that strengthen our enemies and poke our allies in the eyes, the sound of JET NOISE is the sound of freedom. Stand behind the military, they protect all of us!

Lincoln Craighead - August 6, 2012

I don’t think we can afford to defend all the countries in the world and should cut back by boosting the military presence of our allies instead.