The United States operates hundreds of military bases around the world. It's a form of colonialism that is expanding under the Bush Administration's post-9/11 doctrine of pre-emptive war. Supporting a far-flung military empire generates large profits for many US-based corporations. It's terrific for weapons manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman and for support contractors like Halliburton. Increasingly, many people worldwide are angry with having to live with Uncle Sam in uniform in their backyard.

Chalmers Johnson
Chalmers Johnson is the author of the national bestseller Blowback. He is the president of the Japan Policy Research Institute and professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego. His latest book is Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy and the End of the Republic.