Davis, S. (2011). The US military base network and contemporary colonialism: Power projection, resistance and the quest for operational unilateralism. Political Geography , 30 (4), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2011.04.003
In this article, David explores the various factors motivating the existence of overseas U.S. military bases. One major observation is that these sites are not merely established due to military objectives, but that they exist due to resistance from allied governments and communities which are adjacent to the bases. The implication is that when choosing to set up an overseas military base, the U.S. government must invest heavily in research and determining the potential efficacy of establishing a base in a particular region. While America is in pursuit of promoting its power across the globe, there is a need to appreciate that the close a base is to adversaries, the higher the likelihood of incurring costs resulting from sudden attacks, or other limitations such as having supplies cut off. The article is, therefore, useful in assessing the decision-making process and its cost on the establishment of overseas military bases.
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Lostumbo, M., McNerney, M., Peltz, E., Eaton, D., Frelinger, D., Greenfield, A. V., Halliday, J., Mills, P., Narduli R. B., Pettyjohn, L. S., Sollinger, M. J., & Worman, M. S. (2013). Overseas basing of U.S. military forces: An assessment of relative costs and strategic benefits . RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR200/RR201/RAND_RR201.pdf
This source looks at the various costs and benefits associated with the establishment and maintenance of U.S. military bases abroad. Part of the benefits identified are such as the country’s ability to improve its operational responsiveness to contingencies, assuring allies, facilitating security while also deterring adversaries. On the contrary, the various costs incurred stretch from the need to establish an high-quality and efficient operational base for military personnel, exposure to political risks thereby leading to revocation of American access prompting the DoD to depart from regions where huge investments have been made, alongside the risk of attacks from adversaries such as those using long-range precision guided weapons. The source is crucial to the study as it provides a review of the various costs and benefits associated with establishing and operation an overseas U.S. military base. An exploration of both costs and benefits is crucial to understanding whether America is moving closer to its set objectives.
Pettyjohn, S. & Kavanagh, J. (2016). Access granted: Political challenges to the U.S. overseas military presence, 1945 – 2014 . RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1300/RR1339/RAND_RR1339.pdf
The report explores the various hurdles that America faces when it comes to the establishment and exercise of military operations overseas. There are varied external and internal political challenges. For instance, policymakers might not be in agreement about establishing a military base in a target region. Additionally, external pressure from opponents might also have a negative effect. Political opposition from external forces presents itself in the form of adversaries compelling allies and partners to revoke access of U.S. military personnel. Upon the denial of occupation, the U.S. might be forced to close its bases which is not only costly, but also proves to be of major negative effect on political strategic advantage. On this account, the article is useful in that it explores some of the costs and benefits likely to influence the establishment and continued functioning of U.S. overseas military bases.
Sun, D., & Zoubir, Y. (2016). The eagle’s nest in the Horn of Africa: US military strategic deployment in Djibouti. Africa Spectrum, 51 (1), 111-124.
This article focuses on the deployment of American military personnel on the Horn of Africa. A key observation is that Djibouti is the only country that has allowed the position of military personnel from the U.S., France, Spanish, Japan, Germany, and Italy. The presence of military personnel from other countries some of which differ from the U.S. in terms of leadership presents challenges. A good example is that America’s personnel might be subject to being spied upon the result of which would be the likelihood of breach of vital information such as that regarding national security. However, it is noted that Djibouti’s warm welcome of American military personnel has enabled the federal government to assess avenues through which it can exert its influence upon African countries. The article is useful as it allows for the exploration of varied points of view pertain to the operations of military personnel in Africa.
Wallin, M. (2018). U.S. military bases and facilities in the Middle East . American Security Project. https://www.americansecurityproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Ref-0213-US-Military-Bases-and-Facilities-Middle-East.pdf
In this report, the author provides information regarding various U.S. military bases and facilities in the Middle East. The fact sheet presents publicly available information which lists the scope of America’s military operations in the stated region. However, the author acknowledges that following fluctuations in military operations, the report does not present an accurate representation of the deployment of American forces in the Middle East. In various countries such as Syria and Iraq, America already occupies a number of temporary bases which are not acknowledged publicly due to operational security reasons. However, whether unacknowledged or not, these military bases have an effect on the country’s capacity to maintain operations overseas. The fact sheet is useful as it presents critical information detailing regions where military bases are acknowledged and unacknowledged implying exposure to a host of risks such as sudden attacks from adversaries, the potential for supplies to be cut off, among other outcomes.
Yeo, A. I. (2017). The politics of overseas military bases. Perspectives on Politics , 15 (1), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1537592716004199
In this article, Yeo notes that overseas U.S. military bases have serious implications for local and global politics. Local occupation such as in Turkey was met with fierce criticism which led to the country’s opposition against U.S. military operations. In consequence, the various activities of American soldiers in Turkey in 2003 were disrupted following fierce demonstrations by the public. The article focuses on the political factors affecting the occupation of U.S. military in overseas regions. the attitude toward the U.S. military is noted to have been due to the occurrence of heinous crime committed by American military personnel. As a reaction to the injustice imposed on the locals, the Turkish political regime responded through demanding and pushing for a ban on U.S. military operations. This particular source is useful as it provides a case-specific approach providing clarity on key events that have shaped America’s overseas military bases.
References
Davis, S. (2011). The US military base network and contemporary colonialism: Power projection, resistance and the quest for operational unilateralism. Political Geography , 30 (4), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2011.04.003
Lostumbo, M., McNerney, M., Peltz, E., Eaton, D., Frelinger, D., Greenfield, A. V., Halliday, J., Mills, P., Narduli R. B., Pettyjohn, L. S., Sollinger, M. J., & Worman, M. S. (2013). Overseas basing of U.S. military forces: An assessment of relative costs and strategic benefits . RAND Corporation.
Pettyjohn, S. & Kavanagh, J. (2016). Access granted: Political challenges to the U.S. overseas military presence, 1945 – 2014 . RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1300/RR1339/RAND_RR1339.pdf
Sun, D., & Zoubir, Y. (2016). The eagle’s nest in the Horn of Africa: US military strategic deployment in Djibouti. Africa Spectrum, 51 (1), 111-124.
Wallin, M. (2018). U.S. military bases and facilities in the Middle East . American Security Project. https://www.americansecurityproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Ref-0213-US-Military-Bases-and-Facilities-Middle-East.pdf
Yeo, A. I. (2017). The politics of overseas military bases. Perspectives on Politics , 15 (1), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1537592716004199
