Should the U.S. withdraw all its troops from Europe and East Asia?

[Bo]

Yes, from both locations. We can save a great deal of money that way. Plus, Europe, South Korea, and Japan don't need our protection anymore.

[dead0man]

From one of the most pro-military people here.....yes!

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

From one of the most pro-military people here.....yes!

What, don't we need them still in Europe or else Big Bad Putin will invade?

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Yes, most definitely. I don't really see what purpose they are serving at this juncture, particularly the ones in Germany. Japan & South Korea are at least close to nations that have issues with them, even though they are not really in danger either.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The ones in Germany are mostly there just because the German towns near the bases don't want them to leave. Basically a giant economic boondoggle for them.

[dead0man]

From one of the most pro-military people here.....yes!

What, don't we need them still in Europe or else Big Bad Putin will invade?

An extra 30k troops (or not) in Germany isn't going to be what stops (or doesn't) Russia and pals if it gets to that.

[Free Palestine]

Yes.

[Stranger in a strange land]

Yes: all U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Europe, and all but a small number from Japan and Korea.

[Franzl]

The ones in Germany are mostly there just because the German towns near the bases don't want them to leave. Basically a giant economic boondoggle for them.

^^, correct.

[Free Trade is managed by the invisible hand.]

Yes, from both locations. We can save a great deal of money that way. Plus, Europe, South Korea, and Japan don't need our protection anymore.

how much would that cost?
what would it do to the labor supply?

[Bo]

Yes: all U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Europe, and all but a small number from Japan and Korea.

Why do we need to keep a small number of troops in Japan & South Korea? To protect them from Russia, China, and North Korea? I seriously doubt a small number of U.S. troops would make a difference if a war broke out there, which I find extremely unlikely to occur.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Yes: all U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Europe, and all but a small number from Japan and Korea.

Why do we need to keep a small number of troops in Japan & South Korea? To protect them from Russia, China, and North Korea? I seriously doubt a small number of U.S. troops would make a difference if a war broke out there, which I find extremely unlikely to occur.

No... but having a small presence there would make it much easier to beef up our presence should the situation present itself.

We should keep a logistical force in place in Japan and some troops in South Korea.  As far as Europe?  Close the bases. 

[Bo]

Yes: all U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Europe, and all but a small number from Japan and Korea.

Why do we need to keep a small number of troops in Japan & South Korea? To protect them from Russia, China, and North Korea? I seriously doubt a small number of U.S. troops would make a difference if a war broke out there, which I find extremely unlikely to occur.

No... but having a small presence there would make it much easier to beef up our presence should the situation present itself.

We should keep a logistical force in place in Japan and some troops in South Korea.  As far as Europe?  Close the bases. 

I will repeat my opinion again: I seriously doubt North Korea will ever attack South Korea or Japan. However, if South Korea and Japan are so afraid of North Korea, let them build up their own militaries and have their own nukes as well if they feel that this is necessary.

[Frodo]

Only from Europe (which I think can now handle Russia on its own) -as long as it remains an authoritarian state with superpower ambitions, China cannot be allowed to have its way unchallenged in Asia, particularly when we have allies in the region and interests to protect.  So I support keeping our current troop levels in South Korea, Japan, Guam, and elsewhere in the region as a way to maintain the current balance of power and to check China's rising power. 

[Scam of God]

Yes, very much so. We also ought to sell off our bases in those locations and pledge the money earned to deficit-reduction.

[Bo]

Yes, very much so. We also ought to sell off our bases in those locations and pledge the money earned to deficit-reduction.

I agree with this.

[Mechaman]

Yes, very much so. We also ought to sell off our bases in those locations and pledge the money earned to deficit-reduction.

I agree with this.

Yes excellent idea Einzige..

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

From one of the most pro-military people here.....yes!

What, don't we need them still in Europe or else Big Bad Putin will invade?

Yes, please don't leave us! I almost hear his bad tanks prepearing for crossing the border!

[k-onmmunist]

Of course. I don't want Yank troops here and I'm sure many of them don't want to be here either.

[Bo]

From one of the most pro-military people here.....yes!

What, don't we need them still in Europe or else Big Bad Putin will invade?

Yes, please don't leave us! I almost hear his bad tanks prepearing for crossing the border!

Don't worry, the massive Polish cavalry brigades will stop Putin, just like they stopped Germany in 1939. Oh wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!