Today, there is information that US military bases are represented by a number that has exceeded one thousand. But this version is not official. The Pentagon itself recognizes just over seven hundred military bases.
In fact, the presence of such military organizations around the world makes the United States a global empire that does not capture the entire state, but simply places its bases there, thereby establishing control over the country. In simple terms, it turns out to be a "lite" version of colonialism.
History of American military bases
The appearance of the very first military bases dates back to the end of the 19th century, namely to 1898. After Spain was defeated in the Spanish-American War, the States gained control of a seaport in the Philippines. This is Subic Bay, which, thanks to its favorable location, allows you to control the movement of Chinese ships.
Control over the Caribbean Sea was provided by US military bases located in Guantanamo Bay, as well as in Puerto Rico.
WoDuring the Second World War, the United States received the right to place its bases on the territory of the member states of the anti-Hitler coalition, as well as to use their ports. The very first countries to "let in" America were England and France. However, after the end of the war, the Americans did not curtail their activities, but, on the contrary, new bases began to appear in Belgium, Iceland and other European states. Subsequently, US military bases appeared in Germany, Italy, Japan and on the South Korean peninsula. The reason was the start of the Cold War. As an excuse, the Americans began to use the confrontation with the socialist camp. The United States guaranteed protection against the penetration of the communist system into European countries, as well as in order to avoid revanchist sentiments on the part of the losers of Germany and Japan.
On European countries alone, the spread of American military bases has not ended. In the future, they began to appear in the Middle East countries. The goal was to ensure the security of oil transit, as well as contain Iran and Iraq as aggressive states.
Large military bases
Today, there is a classification that divides all US military bases into three categories.
There are large bases on the territory of Japan, Great Britain, Honduras and Qatar, Germany and on the island of Guam. Their characteristic feature is that there are stocks of equipment, raw materials and weapons in large quantities, there is also a certain numbermilitary contingent. Moreover, it is possible to accommodate, house a lot of military personnel arriving at the base if necessary.
It should be noted the US military bases in Japan, the presence of which plays a key role in the control of the territory of Southeast Asia. They were placed after the conclusion of the agreements of 1951-1952, according to which the United States guaranteed the protection of the Land of the Rising Sun from anyone's encroachments. In fact, these bases pursued a different goal - the Japanese state was involved in a confrontation with the Soviet Union and the Asian socialist regimes, and was used as a springboard to fight communism.
Today, US military bases are still located in these territories. In Japan, the number of such almost reaches a hundred - a total of 94 bases. The number of the military contingent is about 50 thousand people. The official goal of the presence is to maintain a stable peace, but in fact it is control over the territory.
Operating Bases
This kind of military base differs from large ones in that they contain a much smaller number of resources. Their functional activity is also limited, and the main purpose of operational bases is tactical. Examples include military bases in Australia, Bulgaria, Kuwait, or South Korea. The mission of the Americans on the South Korean peninsula is explained by the protection of the territory from military encroachment from its northern neighbor, the DPRK.
US military bases of the third category
Buildings that are think tanks, individual airfields or communication centers can also be classified as military bases. They are mobile, their location can be the zones of military clashes in order to be able to deliver a pinpoint strike on the enemy. The creation of such small bases is currently a priority in the military policy of the United States. An example is the technology of creating "floating islands". These structures are platforms located on the surface of the water, and can serve as an airfield for military aircraft, as well as act as a transport vessel.
Geographic location
US military bases are the most numerous in the world and make up 95% of all bases combined. The rest belongs to England, France and other countries.
Traditionally, it is believed that the location of US military bases is Western Europe. For example, in Germany there are more than two hundred of them, and the contingent of military personnel consists of 250 thousand people. However, after the collapse of the USSR, the Americans slightly weakened their activities in this region in connection with the neutralization of the Soviet threat.
The military bases located in Southeast Asia and on the territory of the Middle East countries are of particular importance for America. In second place after Germany in terms of the number of US military presence is Japan.
Very advantageous geostrategic position is occupied by Turkey, one part of which is located onEuropean part of the continent, and the other - in Asia. In this regard, Turkey is of particular interest to the United States. This state is a member of NATO, which means that there are US military bases in Turkey. For example, the Incirlik base, where since 2014 the United States has been deploying unmanned aerial vehicles to strike at terrorists, the Islamic State.
In fact, in one quantity or another, but US bases are present in almost all corners of the planet.
Geopolitical location of US military bases
All states where the United States has its military bases can be divided into several categories. The criterion is the political relations of countries.
- Allied countries, friendly states. Example - United Kingdom.
- States that lost the war and were later restored under US leadership. Example - Germany, Japan.
- Countries liberated from the enemy with the help of US military forces. An example is South Korea.
- Zones of military conflicts in which the United States took part, or are conducting actions aimed at resolving the post-conflict situation. Example - Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo.
- Zones of economically driven interest. These are countries with energy potential. An example is the former Central Asian republics of the Soviet Union, Central East Asia.
Varieties of troops
US military bases are equipped with various types of troops. This is the Air Force, represented by 27 bases in 15 countries of the world. The US Navy is represented in nine states with 15 bases. Ground forces are located in eight countries of the world, and their total number is quite large - 82 military bases. Marines are deployed in seven countries, the largest number in Japan and Iraq. Total marine bases - 26.
The specified number of military units counts only those bases that are outside the United States.
US military bases and Russia
If we talk about the territory of the former USSR, the first military base appeared in 2001 in Uzbekistan (Khanabad), later the Americans settled in Kyrgyzstan (Manas). However, the military base in Manas has now been converted into a transit center.
US military bases in Russia are the subject of many political disputes. Not so long ago, discussions about the possible creation of an American base near Ulyanovsk were in the spotlight. It was assumed that the Americans would deliver medicines and other non-military supplies to the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan through the Vostochny airfield. However, later NATO representatives decided that it would be more profitable to transport goods through Pakistan.
