Cuba, Venezuela may host Russian Bombers

[eastsidebagel]

And then comes Egypt - both of whom have excellent economies. They should be giving us foreign aid.

Just what the heck happened to the States in the recent years? Didn't you use to rule the planet or something?

 

[GoodGame]

I think it's fine as long as our airspace is vigorously defended and those bombers given forewarning that trespassing is a very bad idea.

The biggest worry is that Florida air bases get hurricaine'd out giving Cuba-Russia an opportunity to nuke Disneyland.

 

[mrt144]

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/03/nation/na-aids3

That's to fight the affects of AIDS worldwide alone. 10b/year. 4x what we give Israel.

Yeah, except I don't think that fighting AIDS is anything like giving money to Israel. Or are you purposely being obtuse?

 

[RedRalph]

This really isn't a big deal, but you have to ask yourself why is Russia doing this? In the case of the US in Europe the reasons are pretty clear, basically that we were already there before which is why some bases are where they are (though at greatly reduced force levels) and that we are still members of a strong established alliance there.

In Russia's case, there really isn't any practical or legacy reasons to do this.

but there are definite geopolitical and prestige advantages to having military bases in a wide variety of places around the globe.

 

[Patroklos]

but there are definite geopolitical and prestige advantages to having military bases in a wide variety of places around the globe.

Bingo, or in other words non practical reasons. The only base America has that can be considered similar in any way is Guantanamo, but not really because it is a major hub for counter drug operations. Even that one is a Cold War left over too.

So the irony of this is that in pretending to counter nonexistant encroachment on itself by America, it is in fact doing the exact same thing to America only in very real terms.

What's your new avatar btw?

 

[RedRalph]

Bingo, or in other words non practical reasons. The only base America has that can be considered similar in any way is Guantanamo, but not really because it is a major hub for counter drug operations. Even that one is a Cold War left over too.

So the irony of this is that in pretending to counter nonexistant encroachment on itself by America, it is in fact doing the exact same thing to America only in very real terms.

What's your new avatar btw?

what bases does the US have in Africa?

Its Rascar Capac, form Tintin. you need a new avatar

 

[Patroklos]

what bases does the US have in Africa?

None. The only thing resembling such is a small compound built on the French base in Djibouti. Just a logisitcs hub for mail and material and a few intelligence assets.

Its Rascar Capac, form Tintin. you need a new avatar

I know. I have this one because someone made it for me, before that I just had a stock forum one. I have never been really into making avatars.

 

[RedRalph]

None. The only thing resembling such is a small compound built on the French base in Djibouti. Just a logisitcs hub for mail and material and a few intelligence assets.

Really? I'm surprised... would have thought maybe Liberia or Egypt would have one.

I know. I have this one because someone made it for me, before that I just had a stock forum one. I have never been really into making avatars.[/QUOTE]

how bout this:

 

[Ecofarm]

Yeah, except I don't think that fighting AIDS is anything like giving money to Israel. Or are you purposely being obtuse?

I was responding to this:

There is no massive foreign aid and there never has been. Israel is always at the top of that list, and it is almost all in the form of military
aid.

By pointing out that we give 4x the amount we give Israel to fight AIDS alone.

Aka, I was making a point. Combating AIDS is above Israel on "the list". You see, he was being overly simplistic and looking at only a part of the picture to try to make a point that does not exist. He implies that a vast portion of US foreign aid is military stuff for Israel; that's absurd.

 

[Patroklos]

I think that would give the opposite impression than I am trying to give. Thanks though

Really? I'm surprised... would have thought maybe Liberia or Egypt would have one.

We have quite a bit of military liason with Egypt, but no permanent bases.

AFRICOM was just stood up last year, so the may get a base somewhere but right now everything is run out of EURCOM. Even if they do get a base though, the command is primarily for humanitarian assistance and international training initiatives, I doubt any operational forces will ever be assembled there.