Skip to page content

Base Realignment and Closure

Base Realignment and Closure

commentary
Why Overseas Military Bases Continue to Make Sense for the United States
Voices on the left and right have proposed downsizing America's overseas military footprint. While the merits of basing in a particular location should be open to debate, the underlying twin logics of deterrence and reassurance behind permanently stationing American forces overseas remain operationally, economically, and strategically as sound as ever.
Read More »
Jan 14, 2021
War on the Rocks
Raphael S. Cohen

Base Realignment and Closure

commentary
Making BRAC Politically Palatable
Taxpayer dollars have been used for decades to maintain bases that should have been realigned or closed. If policymakers would like more efficient use of defense dollars, they might consider allowing new rounds of Base Realignment and Closure.
Read More »
Mar 16, 2017
The Hill
Christopher M. Schnaubelt
Base Realignment and Closure

commentary
Why the Pentagon Can't Bypass BRAC
By trying to cut Congress out of the loop and bypass the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC), the Pentagon is more likely to antagonize Capitol Hill and undermine its efforts to make sensible cuts in defense spending.
Read More »
Apr 1, 2014
Defense News
Stacie L. Pettyjohn
Base Realignment and Closure

commentary
The Battle of Futenma Isn't Over Yet
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima's decision to grant the permit to build a U.S. Marine Corps airbase on an offshore landfill near the village of Henoko village is being hailed as an important breakthrough in U.S.-Japanese relations. Yet this is wishful thinking, says Stacie L. Pettyjohn.
Read More »
Jan 6, 2014
The National Interest
Stacie L. Pettyjohn
commentary
UXOs at Closing U.S. Bases
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Read More »
Aug 1, 2005
United Press International
Debra Knopman, Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson