1. Is this a good idea _for the United States_? and
I think a run down of troops in Europe is a neutral idea (i.e. neither good nor bad). While it would reduce costs, it would also mean that if troubles emerged in Europe in some fashion we would be less able to react. That being said, even during the Serbian campaign we did not need to intervene with ground troops, and the peacekeepers sent later were small comparatively to the portion of troops in Europe. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly less likely that a war will erupt in Europe as its not in the best interests for ANYONE. That being said its always a possibility, and a small force will still allow the US some sort of immediate response and still show support for European defence.
OTOH, I think a troop rundown in Korea is a bad idea. Yes, it might mean less confrontationalism with N. Korea, but then I trust the North as far as I can throw Kim. Again having troops there gives the US an immediate response force to NK antics should it be deemed neccessary. I personally am FAR more uncomfortable with NK having nukes than Iraq, especially in light of the fact that NK MAY have missiles that can reach the continental US.
2. Is this a good idea for the rest of the world?
Heh, well that depends on how the rest of the world wants to respond. If the US troops pull out of SK and are replaced with, say, Japanese troops, it would be less of a concern to me than if we just left with nothing to replace them. But then would Japanese troops actually go there? And how welcome would they be to the Koreans?
The problem is, again, the willingness of the US to intervene in international crises, and the willingness of the rest of the world to do so. There are some bright spots (off the top of my head, Australia's intervention in East Timor without US leadership), but then again there are some that are not so bright.
Damon.
------------------------------------------------------------ Damon Agretto [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum." http://www.geocities.com/garrand.geo/index.html Now Building: On Hiatus :) ------------------------------------------------------------
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