Lecture on the Global Presence of the U.S. Military

Introduction

• Imaginary scenario: Spain as the most powerful country with military bases globally, including in the U.S.
• Comparison to reality: U.S. has numerous military bases worldwide, even closer to non-ally borders.

U.S. Military Overview

• Lack of Clarity: U.S. military's vastness is difficult to comprehend, even for the Pentagon.
  • 2018 audit revealed the Department of Defense couldn't fully account for its size and expenditure.
• Significance: Arguably the largest and most powerful organization in history.

Global Military Footprint

• Biden Administration: Initiated a review of the U.S. military's global presence.
• Mapping Effort: Attempt to map every U.S. military base globally.

Personal Experience

• Internship at NATO in Brussels revealed the presence of American culture within military bases abroad.

U.S. Bases Abroad

• Expert Insight: David Vine, author of a book on U.S. bases, created a comprehensive database used by RAND Corp.
• Map Creation: Depicts every known U.S. base outside the U.S.
  • Approximately 750 bases, possibly more.

Notable Clusters and Bases

• Germany, Japan, South Korea: Major clusters post-WWII and Korean War.
• Africa: Newer, smaller installations often involving drones or radar.
• Diego Garcia, Azores, Greenland: Strategic locations for military operations.
• Iceland Airport Investment: Example of U.S. financial influence on infrastructure for potential military use.

Implications

• Ease of War: Readiness reduces friction in launching conflicts.
• Public Secrecy: Many base agreements are confidential between involved governments.

Personal Accounts and Ongoing Research

• Public Input Request: Collecting stories from those living near U.S. bases to understand their impact.
• Discussion Encouragement: Inviting opinions on the appropriateness of U.S. global military spending.

Conclusion

• Goal of Mapping: To visualize the extent of U.S. military reach.
• Future Work: Continues to seek insights and contributions from the public.

Acknowledgements

• Storyblocks Support: Provider of stock footage and sponsor of the video presentation.

These notes capture the key points of the lecture on the global presence and impact of U.S. military bases, the challenges in mapping them, and the social and political implications. The presentation also invites public dialogue and reflection on the matter.