



[Source: Vancouver Sun]


Source: NYT

Comments     Threshold


RE: They are just looking for an arse woopin
By Skywalker123 on 1/3/2012 4:29:08 PM , Rating: 2
Cause Saudia Arabia rulers are such nice people. Why are German and Italian bases necessary?

RE: They are just looking for an arse woopin
By JediJeb on 1/3/2012 6:07:53 PM , Rating: 2
Why are German and Italian bases necessary?

Two reasons I can think of. One they lost a war where they attempted to take over the world, and two they and other have feared expansion of the Soviet Union. Threats from Russia are still there though less than what they used to be, and I guess there are still some hard feelings left over from the first.

By Solandri on 1/3/2012 6:46:33 PM , Rating: 2
Germany and Italy are both NATO members. So are the UK and Spain. During the Cold War, Germany was literally at the front line, bordering East Germany, so a NATO base there was a given. Bases are in Italy and the UK for similar reason. Whereas Germany was the front line, Italy was shielded by the Alps, and the UK by the Channel. This made them more defensible positions and thus good choices for secondary bases. Spain is at the Western end of Europe, so geographically represented the location of any "last stand" on continental Europe against a Soviet advance.

The bases are there with the assent of the host countries. France for example withdrew from the military arm of NATO and requested all foreign troops depart by 1967. That's when the U.S. closed its bases in France and left. If Germany, Italy, Spain, or the UK wanted U.S. troops out, all they'd have to do is ask. The U.S. would probably try to sweeten the pot to remain, like they offered Turkey a couple billion to be able to use the base there during the Iraq war. But the decision is ultimately up to the host country (Turkey declined).

By mmatis on 1/3/2012 8:39:40 PM , Rating: 2

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