Consumer
Elder Statesman
Seriously.
28,000 servicemen/women there. A "tripwire" force at best, the South Korean Military is quite good from what I've read and don't really need US forces to back them up.
Last time we tried to withdraw them (there were 50,000 of us there at the time) the South Korean Government flipped out, and begged us to stay. That's nice. At least we are there because some S. Koreans want us there. However, I think it's time to go.
This takes North Korea's "They are out to get us, look, they have troops on our Border!" propaganda away. It also frees up troops for active conflicts elsewhere, something the US military desperately needs. When we need a show of force, send a carrier (as we are doing this week). There are also quite a few US bases in Japan, close enough for support but off the peninsula and out of immediate harm's way.
So why are we there? Do we really need another excuse for war, or even to pay attention to the North Koreans? Let China deal with it's problem child, and Japan rattle sabers in the area. We don't have a stake anymore.
28,000 servicemen/women there. A "tripwire" force at best, the South Korean Military is quite good from what I've read and don't really need US forces to back them up.
Last time we tried to withdraw them (there were 50,000 of us there at the time) the South Korean Government flipped out, and begged us to stay. That's nice. At least we are there because some S. Koreans want us there. However, I think it's time to go.
This takes North Korea's "They are out to get us, look, they have troops on our Border!" propaganda away. It also frees up troops for active conflicts elsewhere, something the US military desperately needs. When we need a show of force, send a carrier (as we are doing this week). There are also quite a few US bases in Japan, close enough for support but off the peninsula and out of immediate harm's way.
So why are we there? Do we really need another excuse for war, or even to pay attention to the North Koreans? Let China deal with it's problem child, and Japan rattle sabers in the area. We don't have a stake anymore.