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Stationing

bases in the Philippines, which had long

As for humanitarian operations, the

before become expensive anachronisms.

Pentagon cites its responses to an earthquake

troops in other

Instead of upgrading U.S. military ties, Wash-

in Japan, floods in China, and wildfires in

nations is a dubi-

ington should be transferring security respon-

Indonesia. In fact, DOD provides a map of "A

ous means of

sibilities to its allies and friends.

Day in the Life of" illustrating U.S. soldiers

building roads and schools and providing

strengthening civil

Kitchen-Sink Justifications

medical care.47 Those are obviously worthy

societies in those

The weakness of the administration's case

endeavors but hardly a prime responsibility of

countries.

is evident from its reliance on bottom-scrap-

the U.S. military; the specific examples cited

ing, kitchen-sink arguments that can best be

are especially dubious, since Japan is the

characterized as silly. For instance, the

world's second-ranking economic power and

Pentagon contends, "The presence of U.S. mil-

China is a rapidly growing state that is viewed

itary personnel in the region multiplies our

as a potential threat. In short, being ready to

diplomatic impact through engagement with

help clean up after earthquakes in Japan is not

counterparts and the demonstration of pro-

a good reason to maintain nearly 50,000 ser-

fessional military ethics and conduct in a

vicemen in that nation.48

democratic society."42 However, U.S. training

programs did not seem to prevent abuses by

Needed: An Alternative

the Indonesian military in support of the bru-

Strategy

tal Suharto regime--or promote "the spread of

democratic norms," as DOD desires.43 The

American military long worked closely with a

Instead of enshrining the status quo, the

series of ugly, military-dominated regimes in

administration and Congress should adjust

South Korea. Direct military aid, such as the

U.S. overseas deployments. Policymakers

International Military Education and Train-

should reduce the defense budget as well as

ing program, appears to have had no moder-

overall force levels and foreign commitments;

ating effect in Cambodia.44 Even in countries

Washington should develop a comprehensive

plan for the phased withdrawal of all forces

such as Japan and the Philippines, the misbe-

currently stationed in East Asia and the termi-

havior of a few U.S. servicemen has had ill

nation of U.S. defense guarantees to allied

effects. Stationing troops in other nations is a

nations.

dubious means of strengthening civil societies

At the same time, however, the United

in those countries.

States should replace its bilateral defense

Even less compelling are DOD's nonsecuri-

treaties with Japan and South Korea with

ty "security" interests. "We must have the capa-

agreements that allow emergency base and

bility to . . . get American citizens out" of col-

port access. It should also maintain joint mili-

lapsed states, and we must be able to mount

tary exercises and intelligence cooperation.

humanitarian operations, declares Secretary

Where ties are looser--with Australia, the

Cohen.45 However, the possibility of expensive

Philippines, and Singapore, for instance--the

troop commitments' yielding some ancillary

United States should eschew attempts to

humanitarian benefits is no reason to main-

upgrade defense relationships and rely instead

tain those commitments in perpetuity.

on informal consultations about security

For instance, rescuing U.S. citizens is worth

issues and intelligence sharing. In cases like

doing when practicable but does not warrant

Laos and Mongolia, Washington should focus

creating an extensive international military

on cultural and economic rather than military

infrastructure.  American  businessmen,

links.

tourists, and others flood the world; they

The United States should also endorse

should understand that they are venturing

regional security cooperation, including mea-

abroad at their own risk. They have no right to

sures to involve Japan and South Korea,

expect a Marine Expeditionary Force always to

through ASEAN and other appropriate insti-

be stationed nearby.46

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