Despite what some jerks say, the American empire cannot be compared to totalitarian regimes and terrorists.
What is historically distinct about US power is that it has quite remarkably enabled the spread of human liberty and representative government, through time and across cultures.
The argument against US overseas military bases is almost always a surrogate argument against the exercise of US power. But you can't have one without the other. And the annoying thing about American hyperpuissance is that, compared to other probable outcomes, it produces what appears to be the least bad international system. And so, various allies continue to tolerate, and even encourage, the presence of US military installations in their countries.
Only those comfortably protected by the U.S. have the freedom to bash it.
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