Dilemmas of Global Basing: US Basing and Host Nation Politics

Abstract

The most pressing challenge currently facing communities hosting U.S. military bases in the world is two level politics and the type of foreign government structure that ultimately allows the United States military to be based in foreign countries. Time and time again, politics at the local and national level have a very dramatic effect on US military bases. Dictatorships, autocracy and consolidated democracies have been the vein of problems when it comes to US military bases. Various types of governments throughout the world have allowed the United States military to have bases within their countries based upon the approval of a dictator or the a democratic government. There are instances where United States military bases have been successful or not depending on the type of governmental structure. Ultimately, it is the type of government structure that has been the most pressing challenges facing current communities hosting US military bases. When based upon the authority of one person, the United States has seen where a regime change shift questioned the legality of US military bases. Often this type of government structure has only benefited a few and certainly lined the pockets of those in charge. In the same instance, we have seen where the local population opinions have pressured their national leaders enough to kicked out or deny United States military presence. Additionally, the manner in which United States military bases were acquired in foreign countries have created ill will towards United States. The taking of land from indigenous people throughout the world has created legal problems for the United States that has lasted for decades.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 12, 2018
Accession Number
AD1108154

Entities

People

  • Latate Wilson

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Africa
  • Agreements
  • Cold War
  • Continents
  • Contractors
  • Government (Foreign)
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Local Governments
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Security
  • United States
  • War

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Proposed Air Force Base Actions.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.