Troop Commitments, Etc.

The latest Foundation for the Defense of Democracies "News & Notes" is posted with lots of good stuff. In recent weeks Alykhan Velshi has taken over for Cliff May, whom Condi Rice tagged to be on a special democratization group.

I was particularly drawn to the following chart which provides a breakdown of American troop commitments worldwide, excluding Iraq:

73,500 Germany (EUCOM)
41,360 South Korea (PACOM)
40,680 Japan (PACOM)
38,160 Kuwait-OIF (CENTCOM)
11,965 Italy (EUCOM)
9,877 United Kingdom (EUCOM)
8,500 Afghanistan-OEF (CENTCOM)
4,500 Bahrain (CENTCOM)
4,490 Guam (PACOM)
3,300 Qatar (CENTCOM)
2,306 Cuba (NORTHCOM)

I also tend to agree with Velshi's analysis: "the Cold War is over, and Germany is no longer at risk of an imminent Easterly ground invasion. And why are there more troops in Italy than in Afghanistan?" It's a good question and one that warrants an answer.