steve@cdp.UUCP (02/07/89)
> As you point out force structure does have to be taken into account. > If one's force structure is defensive in nature, and your doctrine is > based on defending territority, then you are only a hostile lethal threat > to those who would seek to acquire your territory by force. If you have > a force structure that is offensive in nature, and your doctrine is > based on conquering territory, then you are a hostile lethal threat > to everyone around you. > > Therefore, defense spending is not based on the _same_ thing. Will, I do not believe that the primary doctrine of the US is based on defending territory. Rather, the US seeks to defend the economic interests of the US here and abroad. In so doing, we often choose to be offensive (e.g., Nicaragua, Haiti, Chili, Vietnam, Indonesia, Grenada...). Understand that offensive behaviour need not always be realized through the use of US troops. If you would like a catalog of statements by US policy makers which support this view, try reading "The Managua Lectures" by Noam Chomsky. If after that, you still believe that US doctrine is based primarily on defending territory, then I would like to hear your reasoning. Steve Fram uunet!cdp!steve