Impact of Reducing Global U.S. Troop Deployment Essay -- Effect of Iso

Introduction The United States military is the strongest military that the world has ever seen. However if it is to continue to remain a dominant power it must remain in key positions throughout the world. The United States military is used for more than just fighting the nations wars, it is also used as a diplomatic tool, a deterrent, and to assist in stabilizing the world economy. The effects of reducing U.S. troop presence around the world will have repercussions in more aspects than simply military strength. Deterrence Force Projection is the ability of a nation to apply all or some of its elements of national power (political, economic, informational, or military) to rapidly and effectively deploy and sustain forces in and from multiple dispersed locations to respond to crisis, to contribute deterrence, and to enhance regional stability. Using this definition for force projection the United States is going to put itself at risk if it continues to remove troops from strategically placed overseas assignments. In 2003, it was reported 14 different countries hosted more than 1,000 United States troops. Non-invasion deployments are a common method for deterring regional aggression. Since the 1950’s, an average of about 23% of U.S. troops have been stationed abroad and that a large part of American influence is derived from this military presence throughout the world. (Kane, 2006) One of the main aspects of Army doctrine has been forward presence of its troops. The National Security Strategy of Engagement and Enlargement emphasizes worldwide engagement and the enlargement of the community of free market democracies. In order to be successful in this strategy the United States can not move to a isolationist... ...have had for extended periods of time. The democratic world will feel impacts from the United States willingly taking a backseat on the world stage. Works Cited Collins, John M., 1998. Military Geography for Professionals and the Public. Washington, DC: Brassey’s. Ettlinger, Michael and Linden, Michael. â€Å"A Thousand Cuts.† Center for American Progress, September 2010. Arm'ys europe commander hopes to stave off further troop reductions. (2011, Oct 5). Retrieved from: http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?List=7c996cd7-cbb4-4018-baf8-8825eada7aa2&ID=537 Kane, Tim. Global U.S. Troop Deployment, 1950-2005. Center for Data Analysis Report #06-02, The Heritage Foundation, 2006. Buhaung, H., & Gleditsch, N. P. (2005, Sep 26). The death of distance. Retrieved from http://www.prio.no/sptrans/-830327507/2004npg003.pdf