How many soldiers the USA currently has on foreign soil?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the current number of U.S. soldiers stationed on foreign soil, exploring various aspects of military deployment, historical context, and the implications of troop presence in different regions. Participants engage in a mix of factual claims, personal opinions, and broader geopolitical considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that the U.S. has a significant number of troops in the Gulf and permanent bases in Germany, suggesting these are the primary locations for foreign deployments.
  • One participant cites a military report from 2002 indicating a total of 237,473 U.S. personnel in foreign countries, with specific numbers for regions like Europe and East Asia.
  • Another participant argues that the presence of U.S. troops in Europe continues despite the absence of a Soviet threat, implying it serves to support allies.
  • Concerns are raised about the implications of troop deployments, including the economic impact on host countries and the potential for overextension of U.S. military resources.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the motivations behind the discussion, suggesting it may be aimed at critiquing U.S. foreign policy or imperialism.
  • There are repeated calls for clarification on the intent of the thread and the relevance of the statistics presented.
  • One participant proposes that the discussion should also address the reasons for maintaining large troop numbers in various countries.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance and implications of U.S. troop deployments, with no consensus reached on the reasons for their presence or the appropriateness of the numbers cited. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on outdated statistics, and there are references to the evolving geopolitical landscape that may affect troop deployments. The discussion also touches on the economic ramifications for host nations, which are not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in military studies, international relations, and U.S. foreign policy may find the discussion relevant.

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

  • 50,000 in 25 countries.

    Votes: 1 5.6%

  • 100,000 in 50 countries.

    Votes: 2 11.1%

  • 200,000 in 100 countries.

    Votes: 5 27.8%

  • 400,000 in 135 countries.

    Votes: 10 55.6%
  • Total voters
    18
  • #31
Michael D. Sewell said:
I can't blame Adam for this thread, we were the ones who were foolish enough to waste our time. Best wishes to all.
God Bless America,
Mike

Alas, you are right. Who is stupider? The man who makes a worthless statement, or the man who then is naive enough to debate it :frown:
 
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  • #32
You've got S Korea, that is obvious.
Tell me why you think that. And I don't mean "Repeat some government policy for me". What do you believe makes such a deployment necessary?

You've got japan and the phillipines (training, and a quick strike force in response to Korea (and some would argue China))
Again, why Korea? Why China?
 
  • #33
phatmonky said:
Alas, you are right. Who is stupider? The man who makes a worthless statement, or the man who then is naive enough to debate it :frown:

Which statement in this thread was worthless? Why do you consider it so? And do you ever do anything other than ad hominems?
 
  • #34
Adam said:
As should be obvious from the opening post of this thread and its attached poll, the point is to discuss the numbers of US troops on foreign soil.
Lol, Adam. If you didn't have an opinion, you wouldn't have posted the poll.

Yeah, phat - same as always.
 
  • #35
Uh, why would Germany's economy crumble? Methinks a little bit of (no offence) US arrogance is into play here. What are the EU for? what about the Internet? what about all the other huge trade opportunities that are available, i hardly think a rich country like Germany in a rich community (the EU) NEEDS the funds from a few thousand American troops.
 
  • #36
Germany as a whole doesn't, but the little areas around those US bases have lived by supplying them for half a century. To lose them is painful, and "all politics is local." Germany is currently going through an economic downturn, just as the US has been, and the government takes heat there as here when they let a source of income slip away.
 
  • #37
jimmy p said:
Uh, why would Germany's economy crumble?
Like SA said - not the whole German economy, just the towns that the bases are in. Its a huge deal. As in the US, the whole point of getting a seat on the legislature (in practice) is to bring your local politics to a national stage. Even if the town only has 50,000 people, that's 25,000 votors and every one will be pissed if you let them close that base.

Like I said, same reason its so hard to close a base in the US.
 
  • #38
Adam said:
Which statement in this thread was worthless? Why do you consider it so? And do you ever do anything other than ad hominems?



I'm MAKING this thread into an actual worthwhiel thread. Something you failed to do after 2 full pages. :rolleyes:
 
  • #39
I'm still wondering why phatmonky thinks the world is in imminent danger from Korea and China.
 
  • #40
Adam said:
I'm still wondering why phatmonky thinks the world is in imminent danger from Korea and China.

I don't see him saying he thinks the world is in imminent danger from anyone, not even Korea or China...wanna dig that quote up for me? I'm really curious.
 
  • #41
You've got S Korea, that is obvious.
You've got japan and the phillipines (training, and a quick strike force in response to Korea (and some would argue China))
Well, there are the words about Korea and China, and requiring a strike force in response.
 
  • #42
Adam said:
I'm still wondering why phatmonky thinks the world is in imminent danger from Korea and China.

Kat is right. I didn't say that, and for that reason I refuse to jump down your typical straw man road.
 
  • #43
In that case, Phatmonky, please tell me what you meant about Korea and China.
 
  • #44
Adam said:
Well, there are the words about Korea and China, and requiring a strike force in response.
Wow, two incomplete sentences qouted out of context. Wonderful.


hey look - more emoticons: :confused: :confused: :confused: <-me still waiting in vain for a point to this thread.

Adam, do you have an opinion to share or not?
 
  • #45
hey, i thought i made this thread worthwhile... see the last page and we get a LITTLE bit of continuation... jeez
 
  • #46
mer·ce·nar·ies
One who serves or works merely for monetary gain; a hireling.
A professional soldier hired for service in a foreign army.
 
  • #47
jimmy p said:
hey, i thought i made this thread worthwhile... see the last page and we get a LITTLE bit of continuation... jeez
You made a good swing at it anyway... I think it was a lost cause right from the start though.
 
  • #48
russ_watters said:
Wow, two incomplete sentences qouted out of context. Wonderful.


hey look - more emoticons: :confused: :confused: :confused: <-me still waiting in vain for a point to this thread.

Adam, do you have an opinion to share or not?

Russ_waters, I know it's difficult, but I ask you to remain on topic.
 
  • #49
Adam said:
Russ_waters, I know it's difficult, but I ask you to remain on topic.
I'm still looking for it. If I find it, I'll let you know. :rolleyes:
 
  • #50
So, do you think Bonds will catch Willie Mays tonight?

Njorl
 

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