Numbers

Adam

Do you know how many soldiers the USA currently has on foreign soil?

http://physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=17475

GENIERE

Not as many as China has in Tibet.

Adam

Incorrect.

russ_watters

I thought we discussed this once before. Anyway, the US has a large number of troops in the Gulf and large permanent bases in Germany. The vast majority of our foreign deployed troops are in those two areas. The vast majority of countries that have US troops stationed in them have only a small Marine Corps detachment at the US Embassy (shall I argue that if they are at the embassy, they're not actually in the country? ....naaa, I'll let that one go).

Adam

The top scores, according to the US military's "ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL STRENGTHS BY REGIONAL AREA AND BY COUNTRY (309A)
December 31, 2002":

Europe: 117,401
East Asia & Pacific: 96,289
North Africa: 13,697
Cuba & Honduras: 1,060

Total in foreign counties: 237,473.
The US recognises 192 countries, and has personnel posted in 135 of them.
237,473 divided by 135: 1,759 military personnel per country.

South Korea has only 38,725.
Germany has 72,000.

Since this report there have been a further 150,000 to 200,000 troops deployed on foreign soil.

phatmonky

Yes, let's mix in Iraq and AFghanistan in a post that is blatently aimed towards you complaining of New world order, US imperialism, or PNAC. No difference between people deployed in Germany and those that are being rotated through Iraq

Adam

Read: http://www.nizkor.org/features/falla...dex.html#index

motai

Rather interesting that the U.S. still has many stationed troops in Europe even though the threat of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact is gone. I guess they are doing their allies a favor so they dont have to pay for their own defense.

phatmonky

I guess, since you are going there already.....
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Internet-troll

phatmonky

This has been discussed bu Rumsfeld, and while everyone seems to think it's so bad that our troops are in Germany, the Germans aren't ready for us to move out (economic collapse of two cities during a recession). It's a politically sensitive situation, but I'm happy to have them move on to where they are more needed

schwarzchildradius

Discussed by Rumsfeld? It must make sense. Germany is where US casualties in Iraq usually end up. It's a no-go for reporters now days. I like this part though:
What's wrong with summarizing US troop deployments worldwide? So we can face the truth about how weakened our military has become because of un-planned overextention in Iraq. Not budgeted either. This is an extremely reckless act that has resulted in high casualties for Iraqis and US soldiers as well as mercenaries. Mercenaries are hired to hide the true cost in American human lives.

Adam

http://www.nizkor.org/features/falla...d-hominem.html

Pathetic.

phatmonky

Right, so when are you going to prove me a wrong and put a point to this thread, outside of your standard "imperialism" fare?

russ_watters

Hey, I didn't notice that before. Musta just come in after the software upgrade. That emoticon has been sorely needed around here. Actually, it goes far beyond even that. We aren't closing the bases in Germany for the same reason we have so much trouble closing bases here: it'll destroy the local economy. Mercenaries?


typo fixed

Tsu

Mercenaries. (No such word as 'mercinaries' - at least that my dictionary says)

Adam

Why do you assume I am distressed?

russ_watters

Historical precedent.