Re:China sees new world order with oil benchmark backed by gold
by yorwba on Sunday September 03, 2017 @03:51AM
(#15160197)
The US did get a bunch out of those deals: military bases across the globe and the related political influence.
For example, several European states house US nuclear weapons. [1] Japan serves as an outpost against China and North Korea. [2] "Currently South Korean forces would fall under United States control should the war resume. This war time control is planned to revert to South Korea in 2020." [3]
And Vietnam? The south was lead by a series of military governments during the war, which the US was apparently willing to accept. Sure, they pressured for elections, but in the meantime, fighting Communism was more important. [4]
I wouldn't call the US an empire, but they're not exactly a selfless force of protection either.
For example, several European states house US nuclear weapons. [1] Japan serves as an outpost against China and North Korea. [2] "Currently South Korean forces would fall under United States control should the war resume. This war time control is planned to revert to South Korea in 2020." [3]
And Vietnam? The south was lead by a series of military governments during the war, which the US was apparently willing to accept. Sure, they pressured for elections, but in the meantime, fighting Communism was more important. [4]
I wouldn't call the US an empire, but they're not exactly a selfless force of protection either.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_sharing
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93United_States_re...
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea%E2%80%93United_Sta...
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Vietnam#1963.E2.80.9373