Can anyone please help me with this US military question I have?

[Polkster]

I'm tasked with writing a paper for a history class of mine where I'm supposed to research two particular military operations, but the parameters of the search are kind of vague so I've been having trouble.

The first operation "runs since WWII and is the single biggest operation of this sort in mankind's history--the Romans did something similar" (but I'm not sure what it is).

The second operation is also extremely large and global but has been going on since 2001.

I'd appreciate any and all help!

(I'm also supposed to determine how many countries have their security underwritten by the US; I don't need all of them, but groups are sufficient--like NATO (26 countries)--and that includes nations currently functioning under ceasefires brokered by the US. I was planning on doing more research into this myself but if anyone just knows off the top of their head, or can give me a good source, I'd be appreciative!)

[Edratman]

The first operation "runs since WWII and is the single biggest operation of this sort in mankind's history--the Romans did something similar" (but I'm not sure what it is).

The second operation is also extremely large and global but has been going on since 2001.



I do not understand your question. There has got to be some aspect of the question that you omitted that clarifies the point.

[DIVUS IVLIVS]

Seems pretty easy - the first one sounds like the Cold War (the Romans had a "cold war" of sorts first with Carthage and later with Parthia/the Sassanid Empire).

The second sounds a lot like the War on Terror.

I could be wrong though, so don't hold it to me if those turn out to be incorrect...

[Nick]

1. Interference in other countries' affairs to benefit the large corporations by installing puppet governments (done by the US and Russia since the Cold War to create satellite states and potential allies), or funding insurgents to undermine governments installed by their rival superpower. This often led to corupt dictators at the expense of democracy (Cuba under Batista, South Vietnam, Pinochet in Chile)

2. War "on Terror." While this could be accurately applied to the war in Afghanistan (a war of defence against Al-Qaida) Iraq was an aggressive and pointless war "of terror" started by Dubya to settle old scores with Saddam and exploit the natural resources (oil) of "Eye-rack"

[Polkster]

Rome aided insurgents?

Can you give me examples, and examples of puppet governments Rome established?

[Polkster]

Seems pretty easy - the first one sounds like the Cold War (the Romans had a "cold war" of sorts first with Carthage and later with Parthia/the Sassanid Empire).

The second sounds a lot like the War on Terror.

I could be wrong though, so don't hold it to me if those turn out to be incorrect...

Didn't the Rome/Carthage rivalry become a blazing hot war which ended in the complete destruction of Carthage? And didn't this all happen while Rome was still a Republic?

[Lucius]

I'm tasked with writing a paper for a history class of mine where I'm supposed to research two particular military operations, but the parameters of the search are kind of vague so I've been having trouble.

The first operation "runs since WWII and is the single biggest operation of this sort in mankind's history--the Romans did something similar" (but I'm not sure what it is).

The second operation is also extremely large and global but has been going on since 2001.

I'd appreciate any and all help!

(I'm also supposed to determine how many countries have their security underwritten by the US; I don't need all of them, but groups are sufficient--like NATO (26 countries)--and that includes nations currently functioning under ceasefires brokered by the US. I was planning on doing more research into this myself but if anyone just knows off the top of their head, or can give me a good source, I'd be appreciative!)

Polkster,

What DIVUS IVLIVS said (and what Nick alluded to) were the first things that popped into my mind too. Did you have some other things in mind? My question is the same as Edratman's. In my understanding, a military operation is something carried out as part of a military strategy by using military tactics.

As far as how many countries have their security underwritten by the US, a clarification of the word "underwritten" is needed.

Article IV of the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty says that each "would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes." By contrast, Article 5 of the NATO Charter says that "an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all"

(Italics mine)

Some would reckon that just giving money to another country in return for a promise to use a certain percentage of it to buy arms from a US arms manufacturer counts as underwriting, as in the cases of Taiwan and Israel.

I think sometimes teachers ask vague general questions just to generate thought, as opposed getting an accurate answer. Ask him, and tell us what he said.

[Polkster]

I think military operation can, in this case, be a large scale operation that isn't necessarily, in itself, hostile. Like the worldwide network of US military bases and military fortifications--maybe that's what he meant? Because the Romans also had a large, expansive, network of fortifications.

He definitely had something in mind, and I can't ask him if I'm right because it's for a short paper due Monday.

[Comet]

I think military operation can, in this case, be a large scale operation that isn't necessarily, in itself, hostile. Like the worldwide network of US military bases and military fortifications--maybe that's what he meant? Because the Romans also had a large, expansive, network of fortifications.

He definitely had something in mind, and I can't ask him if I'm right because it's for a short paper due Monday.

Ok...here is what you can do. Give us a short description (some sort of background information) of what you think you want to do and then we can help. That way, we will get a better understanding of what your teacher is asking you. What you have to do sounds to broad for a short paper.

BTW...if this is a short PAPER, my guess is that you had some time work on this. I don't know too many teachers that give a paper for a homework assignment. How much time have you had for this? I suppose you waited until this week to do the research and are now scrambling for ideas. Just a guess.

[Nick]

Rome aided insurgents?

Can you give me examples, and examples of puppet governments Rome established?
There were a lot of pro-Roman chiefs in Britain and Gaul. I can't remember the name but there was one who rebelled against his father and brothers. The Romans sent troops to help him.

[Polkster]

My professor assigned this to us on Monday but I've had other midterm assignments due and my dad's been in town for the last few days (I'm studying abroad in the Czech Republic) so I've been extremely busy.

The assignment is simply to, in two pages single spaced, evaluate US global military investment. That includes the US military budget compared to that of major European allies, the ceasefires brokered by the United States, the military aid it allots, and the nations it promises to defend in wartime. Furthermore he asked us to list those two things I mentioned, that post-WWII operation and the post-2001 one.

[Comet]

My professor assigned this to us on Monday but I've had other midterm assignments due and my dad's been in town for the last few days (I'm studying abroad in the Czech Republic) so I've been extremely busy.

The assignment is simply to, in two pages single spaced, evaluate US global military investment. That includes the US military budget compared to that of major European allies, the ceasefires brokered by the United States, the military aid it allots, and the nations it promises to defend in wartime. Furthermore he asked us to list those two things I mentioned, that post-WWII operation and the post-2001 one.

I remember those days...while I do sympathize, there are ways around a busy situation to get things done. Next time, when you get assigned something like this, take an hour after class or so (sometime during that day) and create an outline. That way, the information you learn will stick in the long term memory and you will have things written down on paper so that if you are in a pinch, you aren't starting from scratch. The outline will help you remember as well as elaborate on what you want to do.

To those working on this question...does this provide you enough information to work with?

[Polkster]

The material isn't FROM class, we were meant to start from scratch no matter what; our last assignment was to discuss the the rumor that Serbs had used microwave ovens to throw HARMs off course and its significance to modern warfare--not something we discussed in class. I wouldn'tve had anything to outline had I started Monday.

[Comet]

The material isn't FROM class, we were meant to start from scratch no matter what; our last assignment was to discuss the the rumor that Serbs had used microwave ovens to throw HARMs off course and its significance to modern warfare--not something we discussed in class. I wouldn'tve had anything to outline had I started Monday.

What did you have on Monday that pertains to this assignment. Then I don't understand why you are doing the assignment. If it's not from class, is it from your reading? You don't just give an assignment without some direction. There has to be some connection to class discussion and/or the reading. Which is why I think you are needing the help.

[Polkster]

We didn't have reading. Monday we discussed the current state of the former Soviet Republics, the week before spring break we were discussing the fall of the USSR and intelligence gathering, Wednesday we discussed the history of Islam. It's not a particularly typical class.

[Comet]

We didn't have reading. Monday we discussed the current state of the former Soviet Republics, the week before spring break we were discussing the fall of the USSR and intelligence gathering, Wednesday we discussed the history of Islam. It's not a particularly typical class.

I don't know what to tell you then. The best thing to do is to is focus on what our members have provided for you. I find this particular method of teaching very unusual.

[Polkster]

It's actually pretty awesome. It's not so much a lecture as it is a seminar and the professor is one of the most intelligent people I've ever studied under.

[Lucius]

OK. Got it.

The first operation, the one that runs since WWII and is the single biggest operation of this sort in mankind's history is the Cold War.

The second operation which is also extremely large and global and has been going on since 2001 is the Radical Islamist Fundamentalist War on Liberal Democracy(or the Hot War, as I like to call it).

At least you can come up with one page on each.

Better get to typing.

[Polkster]

What...? The Cold War's over and the "Radical Islamic Fundamentalist War on Liberal Democracy" is:
a. Not a US operation
b. A total misrepresentation of the movement and its actual goals; Al Queada's priorities are:
1. Secular Muslim states (like Iraq under Saddam)
2. Iran and the Shia
3. Apostates in Arabia (Saudi Arabia, the UAE)
4. the West (and Israel)

"Democracies" aren't even one of their first three priorities.

[Comet]

It's actually pretty awesome. It's not so much a lecture as it is a seminar and the professor is one of the most intelligent people I've ever studied under.


Intelligence doesn't equate to learning...it's one of many paths to learning. It also demonstrates why college and university professors have the stereotype as terrible teachers.

[Lucius]

What...? The Cold War's over and the "Radical Islamic Fundamentalist War on Liberal Democracy" is:
a. Not a US operation
b. A total misrepresentation of the movement and its actual goals; Al Queada's priorities are:
1. Secular Muslim states (like Iraq under Saddam)
2. Iran and the Shia
3. Apostates in Arabia (Saudi Arabia, the UAE)
4. the West (and Israel)

"Democracies" aren't even one of their first three priorities.

Oh.

OK, sorry.

Never mind.

[Comet]

Oh.

OK, sorry.

Never mind.

If it makes you feel any better Lucius, I thought your answer was very good :).

[Toltec]

Seems a difficult task as the question is set by a teacher who seems to have already made his mind up and not particularly eliciting a thoughful response just a agreeing confirmation of his rather biased views. You could try being radical and not giving him the answers he expects but a thoughful one instead.

The biggest operation is a mystery, imperialism has been suggested, but the post WWII operation, isn't an operation and by no means 'the biggest' act of imperialism ever. Perhaps it's the exportation of headonistic values; sex, consumerism, fast food, leisure and so on and the world becomes consumeristic societies like the west, (The Romans exported their values too)

The second operation has been suggested to be the war on terror. However it's not very large and by no means global. How about the degradation of human rights, for 56 years since WWII humans rights was promoted around the world however since Rumsfeld legalised torture and introduced kidnapping and imprisonment in gulags without trial other countries have felt less compulsion to observe standards in human rights and they are now falling the world over.

Security underwritten by the US is a strange term, i can think of three categories, countries such as South Korea and Taiwan that have their independence garranteed. Countries in receipt of US military aid or finacial aid to purchase military equipment from the Us and the NATO countries that have nukes on loan from the US such as germany and so on.

[Lucius]

Comet,

It's kinda weird - a guy asks for help, then starts arguing about how that's no good.

Maybe we need to have a policy for moving threads OUT of the Homework Help section?

[Lucius]

Perhaps it's the exportation of headonistic values; sex, consumerism, fast food, leisure and so on and the world becomes consumeristic societies like the west, (The Romans exported their values too)

Does that pre-date Adolf Galland's painting Mickey Mouse on the side of his Bf-109 in the Kondor Legion?

[Comet]

Comet,

It's kinda weird - a guy asks for help, then starts arguing about how that's no good.

Maybe we need to have a policy for moving threads OUT of the Homework Help section?

Which is why we need individuals who ask for help to show what they know about their topic. It does two things:

1. It demonstrates their understanding of the topic and ensure that we are not doing the work for them

2. Gives us a better understanding of how we can help. This includes an understanding of the question.

[Toltec]

The assignment is simply to, in two pages single spaced, evaluate US global military investment. That includes the US military budget compared to that of major European allies, the ceasefires brokered by the United States, the military aid it allots, and the nations it promises to defend in wartime. Furthermore he asked us to list those two things I mentioned, that post-WWII operation and the post-2001 one.


World Military Budget 900 billion
US military budget 450 billion
EU military budget 300 billion
Chinese military budget 90 billion
Russian military budget 45 billion
India Military budget 25 billion

[Polkster]

But he's not a terrible teacher, he's intelligent and insightful...

[Polkster]

What are you guys talking about? How am I arguing anything?

Comet, or I think it was Comet, implied I wasn't doing my reading or paying attention in class, and I pointed out that he was incorrect. How is this an argument? None of you guys go to class with me, so I don't imagine you could know precisely the sort of environment in which I'm studying. I appreciate the help and I'm sorry if I came off as argumentative for whatever reason...

[Polkster]

Okay, I found the actual question sheet:

The real over-stretch of the U.S. military is not two wars in the same time, but the sheer amount of security guarantees the U.S.A. are giving to many countries of the world. Europe's worry is that, following the possible failure in Iraq and Afghanistan, America might radically re-evaluate its engagement in the world--not perhaps withdraw to isolationism, but surely reduce its level of commitments to other countries.

Assess first the U.S. commitment to world security, include this hard data:
1. What is overall U.S. military spending, and what is the spending of major European allies?
2. How many countries have their security underwritten by the U.S>? List them. You do not have to write all their names, it is sufficient to put them in groups, e.g.: NATO allies (26 countries).
3. What other major military commitments do the United States have worldwide? List at least two. Hint: one runs since WW2 (and is the single biggest operation of this sort in the history of mankind, the Romans did something similar), another since the first year of this millennium.

[Comet]

What are you guys talking about? How am I arguing anything?

Comet, or I think it was Comet, implied I wasn't doing my reading or paying attention in class, and I pointed out that he was incorrect. How is this an argument? None of you guys go to class with me, so I don't imagine you could know precisely the sort of environment in which I'm studying. I appreciate the help and I'm sorry if I came off as argumentative for whatever reason...

That's right...we don't know the environment which you are in. That is why we rely on specific information from all posters in our homework help section. The information you provided to us demonstrated that you didn't have solid background information to the questions you are asking. Furthermore, the question itself wasn't appropriately asked until your last post. Our members are here to help, assuming you put in some work on the topic...but, you must ask the question you need help with instead of taking a stab in the dark on what that question may be. Now that we have the actual question we can provide you with the help you seek.

[Comet]

But he's not a terrible teacher, he's intelligent and insightful...

I never said he was a terrible teacher...I merely stated the reason why we get bad reputations. Teaching is more than just being intelligent and insightful. It's the opportunities to present our students with every possible opportunity to succeed. With no notes or books to read from, I find it very difficult for you to succeed. We will do the best we can for you :)

[Polkster]

Alright, thanks.

[Comet]

Polkster,

I also did a little thinking about this and I agree with the others who have posted. I think the Cold War would be an obvious choice...but I think Nick's ideas is much more sufficient in terms of the United States still doing specific operations throughout the world in just that fashion. If anyone else has a more thorough explanation to the first operation, please feel free to correct me.

There is no doubt in my mind that the second operation is the "War on Terror". It is the only global operation done by the United States (and its allies) since the end of 2001. The key word here is "global".

[Polkster]

Here's the thing I'm having trouble with; I've found a list of US military installations abroad, which I imagine intuitively aligns with particular security guarantees, and I've found current treaty organizations of which the US is a part, but:

- I could not find a list of nations whose security is guaranteed by the United States (like South Korea and Israel, which are grouped as "non-NATO allies"--does that designation serve as that sort of a guarantee? And is Taiwan's independence guaranteed by the US?)
- I can see how the GWOT can be the second major operation, but I don't think the Cold War is the first since that first operation is supposedly running to this day; could it be NATO-related?

[Polkster]

I think the Roman analogue was the Pax Romana, that's what he was talking about.

[Lucius]

- I could not find a list of nations whose security is guaranteed by the United States (like South Korea and Israel, which are grouped as "non-NATO allies"--does that designation serve as that sort of a guarantee? And is Taiwan's independence guaranteed by the US?)

US/Taiwan relations are governed by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 (http://www.ait.org.tw/en/about_Ait/tra/). I can't find any "guarantee." Can you?

US/Israeli relations are governed by the current Memorandum Of Understanding (2009) (http://www.israelemb.org/Operation%20Cast%20Lead/US%20official.htm#Mou)

Again, no "guarantee." It's not the same thing as Article V of the NATO Treaty. Maybe I'm old-fashioned. But in matters which touch on the question of when the US is at war and when it is not, I prefer everything spelled out in black and white. I don't think I'm alone in this regard.

- I can see how the GWOT can be the second major operation, but I don't think the Cold War is the first since that first operation is supposedly running to this day; could it be NATO-related?

It is certainly true that the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, the Soviet War in Afghanistan, the proxy wars in Africa, Latin America, etc, are over. But hasn't Putin spoken of the possibility of placing nuclear missiles in Kalilingrad? Hasn't he threatened to shut off natural gas pipeline deliveries to western Europe? Hasn't he "liberated" northern Georgia? Didn't he murder Alexander Litvinenko right in a London sushi bar? Perhaps the Cold War doesn't come to an end overnight?

[Polkster]

Russian aggression is the not the same as the Cold War. We are no longer in competition with them because there is no competition; these are merely the actions of a failed state clawing for relevance in a world that has moved far beyond it.

[Lucius]

Russian aggression is the not the same as the Cold War.

OK, but consider, for instance, the wars of Russia under Catherine the Great. They all had different names and happened at different times, but they were all about the same thing.

We are no longer in competition with them because there is no competition; these are merely the actions of a failed state clawing for relevance in a world that has moved far beyond it.

I submit for your consideration the idea that it's too early to say.

[Polkster]

Uh... no, it's not too early to say.
- 95% of Russia's exports are raw materials, their industry is notoriously underdeveloped (their GDP is equal to that of the Netherlands, ironic considering their industry is suffering from a pretty bad case of Dutch Disease)
- Average lifespan of a Russian man is 54 years
- The net population growth of Russia is... a LOSS of 700,000 people per year; death rate exceeds birth rate
- Between St Petersburg and Moscow, Russia's two largest cities there are exactly... ZERO highways connecting them directly; there is barely any investment in infrastructure
- Anecdote: 1996, Yeltsin approval rating at 4%, won subsequent election with a "majority" vote
- Putin came into office in the late 90's with relative upper class economic standing, is now worth $30 billion; government plundered to hell by its administrators

In summary: their government is ineffective, their standard of living is abysmal, and their economy is on chicken legs.

I think it's safe to say the United States has won the Cold War.

[Lucius]

Polkster,

Quite right. I wasn't suggesting that Russia might still win the Cold War. I only meant that a few decades might have to pass before historians could definitively name the year it was lost in, if indeed, it is "all the way" lost. I guess we could go ahead and name a year now. Is there hurry?

Judging from your summary, I think it's safe to say they've got nowhere to go but up. But maybe not. We just have to wait and see.

[Polkster]

I'm sure, unless something radical happens, they're on the bring of collapse. I think 89/91 is a solid choice for picking a year to mark the struggle's end.

[Lucius]

I'm sure, unless something radical happens, they're on the bring of collapse.

Well, if you're sure, I guess that's that then.

[Polkster]

The answer everybody, to what that large scale US operation, the largest in the history of mankind, is safeguarding the seas against pirates.