U.S. as world policeman.

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Notwithstanding the fact that the U.s. is the world's only remaining superpower with a military budget that is the envy of many nations, American resources are far from unlimited. Some observers already feel that the nation's human and financial resources are becoming dangerously overstretched. Earlier in the year 2006, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff bluntly stated:"We are in critical time in the history of this great country and we find ourselves challenged in ways we did not expect. We face ruthless enemies intent on destroying our way of life and uncertain future."(The Guardian, Feb. 15 ,2006) The American military brief has been dubbed "The Long War". Naturally the main focus is terrorism. The U.S. expects and plans for a generation of anti-Islamic conflicts. But Washington's military commitments embrace many mega problems far more widespread than the daily threat of world terrorism. America is not finished with its commitments overseas in the wake of World War II, which ended more than 60 years ago. Nearly 70,000 U.S. troops are still stationed in Europe. More than 68,000 remain in Japan. Nearly 70,000 are still in South Korea. Qatar and Bahrain together have nearly 10,000. Figuring in Iraq, with well over 100,000 U.S. personnel in harm's way, American military commitments abroad in both men and weaponry are truly staggering. The total global picture stands at about 350,000. According to military officialdom, "The U.S. will work to ensure that no foreign power can dictate the terms of regional or global security." That is truly a tall order! Given the reactions we see on television and read in newspapers and magazines, do Americans have the saying power to endure the sacrifices that will inevitably be required by growing domestic and foreign tensions? Can America continue to remain the world's policeman indefinitely? Source: The Good News Magazine