Should the US withdraw their troops from Europe?

Seeing as there is no threat to Europe itself atm, many people argue that the US should withdraw their troops. 

What do you think?

No

Any reasons as to why?

A lot of European governments would hate that. Our military bases bring in a ton of money to European nations. It's all about the money.

i guess if Europe wants us to leave

No, we're not really there to defend Europe...

A lot of European countries would hate that. Our military bases bring in a ton of money to European nations.

Wasdie

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

A lot of European countries would hate that. Our military bases bring in a ton of money to European nations.

deeliman

Soliders spend tons into the local communities, the bases get a lot of their supplies locally. They are cash farms for nations. Also it's added defense. Why keep up your military budget when the US has a base planted in your nation?

No

Squeets

[QUOTE="deeliman"][QUOTE="Wasdie"]

A lot of European countries would hate that. Our military bases bring in a ton of money to European nations.

Wasdie

Soliders spend tons into the local communities, the bases get a lot of their supplies locally. They are cash farms for nations. Also it's added defense. Why keep up your military budget when the US has a base planted in your nation?

Because we can't trust that our interests are being served?

[QUOTE="deeliman"][QUOTE="Wasdie"]

A lot of European countries would hate that. Our military bases bring in a ton of money to European nations.

Wasdie

Soliders spend tons into the local communities, the bases get a lot of their supplies locally. They are cash farms for nations. Also it's added defense. Why keep up your military budget when the US has a base planted in your nation?

my country's military, singapore, rented a huge plot of land for a dollar in austrailia to have full scale military exercies, the locals are rich because of the said spending. So it is mutually beneficial for both parties, the same reason why european countries let the US have bases in theirs.

No

Squeets

no, that'd be a lose-lose for everyone.

I don't see why not. I mean, the Cold War is over. I suppose you could keep some there, but the political boundaries have been redrawn so much sine the 1990's.

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

[QUOTE="deeliman"] How so?punkpunker

Soliders spend tons into the local communities, the bases get a lot of their supplies locally. They are cash farms for nations. Also it's added defense. Why keep up your military budget when the US has a base planted in your nation?

my country's military, singapore, rented a huge plot of land for a dollar in austrailia to have full scale military exercies, the locals are rich because of the said spending. So it is mutually beneficial for both parties, the same reason why european countries let the US have bases in theirs.

Why does the U.S want them there?  I was just thinking and I'm sure the U.S doesn't station troops around the world to prop up economies.

[QUOTE="punkpunker"]

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

Soliders spend tons into the local communities, the bases get a lot of their supplies locally. They are cash farms for nations. Also it's added defense. Why keep up your military budget when the US has a base planted in your nation?

Mikey132

my country's military, singapore, rented a huge plot of land for a dollar in austrailia to have full scale military exercies, the locals are rich because of the said spending. So it is mutually beneficial for both parties, the same reason why european countries let the US have bases in theirs.

Why does the U.S want them there?  I was just thinking and I'm sure the U.S doesn't station troops around the world to prop up economies.

[QUOTE="Mikey132"]

[QUOTE="punkpunker"]

my country's military, singapore, rented a huge plot of land for a dollar in austrailia to have full scale military exercies, the locals are rich because of the said spending. So it is mutually beneficial for both parties, the same reason why european countries let the US have bases in theirs.

deeliman

Why does the U.S want them there?  I was just thinking and I'm sure the U.S doesn't station troops around the world to prop up economies.

That would be my guess too.  I can see airbases over there but troops on the ground seems like a waste of money now.  As long as the English Channel exsist there will always be a stepping stone into Europe if a military force is needed.  (Given U.S/English relations hold up)

So like you said, strategic purposes.  Just there..... watching, waiting.... for what?  The resurrection of Stalin of course!

Europe needs us to defend them.

Europe needs us to defend them.

HyperWarlock

[QUOTE="HyperWarlock"]

Europe needs us to defend them.

deeliman

Didn't I just read a thread about how the EU could whoop the Russians?

[QUOTE="deeliman"][QUOTE="HyperWarlock"]

Europe needs us to defend them.

Mikey132

Didn't I just read a thread about how the EU could whoop the Russians?

[QUOTE="Mikey132"]

[QUOTE="deeliman"] Seems like a good deal for the Europeans.deeliman

Didn't I just read a thread about how the EU could whoop the Russians?

Well no doubt it's gotta be a sweet deal for them.  I'd love to have a strong army located here to protect me... oh wait, the U.S border is 25 minutes away....  I do! :)

I can see why they are there though, it's no secret that Europe loves it's wars.  Been happening since the U.S was even a country........ or even discovered.    

Is there a map of where they are located.  Now I'd like to see if troop placement looks strategic or if we'll just be sending fisherman back to Dunkirk one day.

[QUOTE="deeliman"]

[QUOTE="Mikey132"]

Didn't I just read a thread about how the EU could whoop the Russians?

Mikey132

Well no doubt it's gotta be a sweet deal for them.  I'd love to have a strong army located here to protect me... oh wait, the U.S border is 25 minutes away....  I do! :)

I can see why they are there though, it's no secret that Europe loves it's wars.  Been happening since the U.S was even a country........ or even discovered.    

Is there a map of where they are located.  Now I'd like to see if troop placement looks strategic or if we'll just be sending fisherman back to Dunkirk one day.

[QUOTE="deeliman"]

[QUOTE="Mikey132"]

Didn't I just read a thread about how the EU could whoop the Russians?

Mikey132

Well no doubt it's gotta be a sweet deal for them.  I'd love to have a strong army located here to protect me... oh wait, the U.S border is 25 minutes away....  I do! :)

I can see why they are there though, it's no secret that Europe loves it's wars.  Been happening since the U.S was even a country........ or even discovered.    

Is there a map of where they are located.  Now I'd like to see if troop placement looks strategic or if we'll just be sending fisherman back to Dunkirk one day.

yes.

[QUOTE="Mikey132"]

[QUOTE="deeliman"] I'm just saying, if it was true it would be a sweet deal for them would it not? Besides, why spent money on something if your neighbour across the pond is more than happy to foot the bill?

deeliman

Well no doubt it's gotta be a sweet deal for them.  I'd love to have a strong army located here to protect me... oh wait, the U.S border is 25 minutes away....  I do! :)

I can see why they are there though, it's no secret that Europe loves it's wars.  Been happening since the U.S was even a country........ or even discovered.    

Is there a map of where they are located.  Now I'd like to see if troop placement looks strategic or if we'll just be sending fisherman back to Dunkirk one day.

Too many look to far into western Europe to be useful.  Now that could also be a staging point for a war in the east so the bases don't get abolished in a surprise attack.  

I would keep Gibralter, So will the English!  And the one in Crete, along with the German ones.  The bases in West Europe seem to be doing nothing more than taking up space in todays age. 

US presence in Europe has been massively reduced since the end of the cold war from around 300,000 to about 60,000

Let's see.

Saving money, Europeans will be happy, their Governemnts not so much. Sure, why not.

[QUOTE="deeliman"]

Seeing as there is no threat to Europe itself atm, many people argue that the US should withdraw their troops. 

What do you think?

Hemmaroids

[QUOTE="deeliman"]

Seeing as there is no threat to Europe itself atm, many people argue that the US should withdraw their troops.

What do you think?

Hemmaroids

You forget the entire reason why Russia set up the Eastern Bloc in the first place. It wasn't done to conquer territory, but rather to set up buffer states for themselves. Europe's aggressive spirit has calmed down a lot since World War II and the Cold War. Honestly, I don't think they would feel the need to invade any state to create a buffer at all.

yes, we should pull all soldiers out, and bring them all home let the world fend for it self.

The U.S. seems to think that they are a strategic benefit and the Euros don't mind the small stimulus that it gives them, so no, there's probably not much of a point in withdrawing them.

Europe needs us to defend them.

HyperWarlock

[QUOTE="deeliman"]

Seeing as there is no threat to Europe itself atm, many people argue that the US should withdraw their troops. 

What do you think?

Hemmaroids

yes, we should pull all soldiers out, and bring them all home let the world fend for it self.

WilliamRLBaker

I find it rather worrying that you sincerely believe you're protecting us.

Considering how much extra money GIs get when they're overseas, sure.

I see all these young GIs with new, fast V8 or turbocharged cars already paid for. I'm sure they made all that dough from being overseas.

One fringe benefit of being overseas is being able to buy (US) cars tax-free in US bases overseas. Then add all the discounts. That's a pretty hefty chunk of change.

Why the hell would russia attack europe?

Also,europe doesn't need any defense.

Those bases help the US reach the middle east faster and more efficiently,so there is no reason for them to abaddon them.

Why the hell would russia attack europe?

Also,europe doesn't need any defense.

Those bases help the US reach the middle east faster and more efficiently,so there is no reason for them to abaddon them.

Praisedasun

No, we need to keep Britain in check. NationProtector

Someone asked where all the bases in Europe are, here is a better picture of where the bases are located and by branch.

I will also leave this here.

German town fears loss of U.S. Army base which shows how much of an economic impact a base has on surrounding cities and towns (this also holds true to cities and towns in the US).