Overseas Bases and US Strategy: Optimising America's Military Footprint
Overseas military bases have been the bedrock of the United States’ ability to project military power, exert political influence and deter potential adversaries since the Second World War. But fatigue with America’s ‘forever wars’, as well as more nuanced financial and strategic reasons, has inclined the public and policy community to favour reducing US global military activities and overseas presence.

In this Adelphi book, Jonathan Stevenson argues that this desire does not necessarily translate into sound strategy. Overseas bases are a key element of the reassurance required to resurrect and bolster America’s reputation among its allies and adversaries. Meanwhile, strategic imperatives and geopolitical realities impose restraints in every theatre. The fluidity prevailing in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific counsels maintaining forward-deployed forces there at roughly the current level. Russia’s confrontational posture towards NATO and invasion of Ukraine, as well as NATO’s short- and medium-term reliance on US capabilities, require the American presence in Europe to increase and expand eastward. The US should not commit itself to a foreign policy that is heavy on forward-deployed military power and light on diplomacy. But paradoxically, reducing forward military presence may not be consistent with a policy that is less focused on military power as a means of achieving stability and security.

1141713977
Overseas Bases and US Strategy: Optimising America's Military Footprint
Overseas military bases have been the bedrock of the United States’ ability to project military power, exert political influence and deter potential adversaries since the Second World War. But fatigue with America’s ‘forever wars’, as well as more nuanced financial and strategic reasons, has inclined the public and policy community to favour reducing US global military activities and overseas presence.

In this Adelphi book, Jonathan Stevenson argues that this desire does not necessarily translate into sound strategy. Overseas bases are a key element of the reassurance required to resurrect and bolster America’s reputation among its allies and adversaries. Meanwhile, strategic imperatives and geopolitical realities impose restraints in every theatre. The fluidity prevailing in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific counsels maintaining forward-deployed forces there at roughly the current level. Russia’s confrontational posture towards NATO and invasion of Ukraine, as well as NATO’s short- and medium-term reliance on US capabilities, require the American presence in Europe to increase and expand eastward. The US should not commit itself to a foreign policy that is heavy on forward-deployed military power and light on diplomacy. But paradoxically, reducing forward military presence may not be consistent with a policy that is less focused on military power as a means of achieving stability and security.

26.99 In Stock
Overseas Bases and US Strategy: Optimising America's Military Footprint

Overseas Bases and US Strategy: Optimising America's Military Footprint

by Jonathan Stevenson
Overseas Bases and US Strategy: Optimising America's Military Footprint

Overseas Bases and US Strategy: Optimising America's Military Footprint

by Jonathan Stevenson

Paperback

$26.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 3-7 days. Typically arrives in 3 weeks.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

Overseas military bases have been the bedrock of the United States’ ability to project military power, exert political influence and deter potential adversaries since the Second World War. But fatigue with America’s ‘forever wars’, as well as more nuanced financial and strategic reasons, has inclined the public and policy community to favour reducing US global military activities and overseas presence.

In this Adelphi book, Jonathan Stevenson argues that this desire does not necessarily translate into sound strategy. Overseas bases are a key element of the reassurance required to resurrect and bolster America’s reputation among its allies and adversaries. Meanwhile, strategic imperatives and geopolitical realities impose restraints in every theatre. The fluidity prevailing in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific counsels maintaining forward-deployed forces there at roughly the current level. Russia’s confrontational posture towards NATO and invasion of Ukraine, as well as NATO’s short- and medium-term reliance on US capabilities, require the American presence in Europe to increase and expand eastward. The US should not commit itself to a foreign policy that is heavy on forward-deployed military power and light on diplomacy. But paradoxically, reducing forward military presence may not be consistent with a policy that is less focused on military power as a means of achieving stability and security.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781032396095
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication date: 08/01/2022
Series: Adelphi series
Pages: 144
Product dimensions: 6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jonathan Stevenson is Senior Fellow for US Defence and Managing Editor of Survival at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). From 2005 to 2016, he was professor of strategic studies in the Strategic and Operational Research Department at the US Naval War College. From 2011 to 2013, he served as National Security Council Director for Political-Military Affairs, Middle East and North Africa, at The White House. He is author of two previous titles in the Adelphi series: Counter-terrorism: Containment and Beyond (2005); and Preventing Conflict: The Role of the Bretton Woods Institutions (2000).

Table of Contents

Author 6

Acknowledgements 7

Glossary 8

Chapter 1 Overseas bases and US strategic posture 9

Some historical background 10

Bring the legions home? 18

Evolutions in military affairs 22

Few opportunities, many constraints 28

Chapter 2 Basing and US grand strategy 33

The Middle East 38

China and the Indo-Pacific 41

Europe and NATO 46

Chapter 3 Optimising US regional footprints: the Middle East 53

Contingencies 54

Basing implications 60

Carrier relevance 66

Changing environment 69

Chapter 4 Optimising US regional footprints: China and the Indo-Pacific 71

Military considerations 72

Political considerations 77

Chapter 5 Optimising US regional footprints: Europe 83

Russian revanchism 84

A robust presence 90

Chapter 6 Conclusion 93

The Indo-Pacific 94

The Middle East 98

Europe 100

Prospects 103

Notes 109

Index 137

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews