Bill Sykes' - In Retrospect
XVII.
(March 2009)
Bill
Sykes looks back in retrospect at material which has
been published in previous editions of "View from
America", in an attempt to determine whether the
subject matter written then is still applicable in
today’s world.
Article #17F .
Things to think about.
In a previous edition of "View from America" I provided certain
views as to how I think that America could possibly reduce Government spending.
I will give you a brief overview of a suggestion that I made at that time which
proposed bringing all, or most, of our American troops home.
To the best of my knowledge, America currently has
approximately 350,000 US troops stationed around the
globe, with 250,000 employed in combat, peacekeeping,
and counter terrorist operations in different parts of
the globe, and also another 100,000 US troops stationed
in the following four countries, Germany, Japan, Italy,
and the UK. (I’m not actually certain of the percentage of the 100,000
US troops there are in each country).
Note: Even though I have thoroughly researched
the subject of American troop allocations I have found
it very difficult to obtain completely accurate numbers.
If anyone could assist on this subject I would willingly
correct the numbers that I have quoted.
According to official records, as of February 2009
there are 142,000 American troops deployed in Iraq, and
another 36,000 US troops deployed in Afghanistan, which
I’m assuming are not included in the numbers that are provided above.
The United States has a total of around 750 military
installations located in more than 130 countries worldwide.
The amount of dollars involved in such a distribution
of American troops and installations overseas must be
absolutely enormous.
The above figures do not take into account the total
amount of dollars that we also provide in economic aid
to other countries around the globe, quoted in alphabetical
order, Afghanistan, Africa, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan,
and even Syria to mention but a few. The total expenditures
must be immense.
Please refer to: "In Retrospect XIII", October
2008 Edition, (Article #13D)
Disclaimer:
Some of the information gathered for this news letter
has been gleaned from American and International
media sources, (Including the Internet), and as such
is quoted as accurately as possible. I try to obtain
confirmation on each subject from several outlets,
so the text is a mixture of composite news items
and my personal comments and therefore the reader
must make his/her own judgment as to the reliability
and degree of accuracy of the subjects discussed.
Eric (Bill) Sykes, (Southern California).
March 2009.
We welcome feedback about any of the contents
of these articles. Please send all correspondence
to bill_sykes@huddersfield1.co.uk
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