--- In [email protected], bob_brigante <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In [email protected], "sparaig" <sparaig@> wrote: > > Even then-Assistance SecDef Wolfwotize went into some detail about > this as a side-benefit > > of invading Iraq: we got access to bases elsewhere so we pulled them > out of Saudi Arabia > > (of course, this was the original justification for invading Iraq > according to the neocon > > > > white paper: create a sympathetic Arab nation where we can base our > troops to project > > military power against China). > > > > ************ > > It's more than 3900 miles to Beijing from Baghdad; meanwhile we have > 47000 troops at a number of bases in Japan (Tokyo is 1300 miles from > Beijing). >
I think they didn't want Japan to be a threat to China. Besides, the Japanese don't allow much military presence on their soil, including their own, beyond homeland defense. A post-WWII thing, I believe.
