The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series The End of U.S. Military Deployments? || Peter Zeihan
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Jan 21, 2026 The discussion kicks off with insights on U.S. troop levels abroad, revealing they're at historic lows. Key bases in Japan, Germany, and Korea are explored, highlighting their strategic importance. Peter argues against the need for widespread military deployments, citing that the U.S. can rely on allied ports and territories. Potential consequences of withdrawing from Japan and Germany are examined, emphasizing the risk of power vacuums. The vulnerabilities of China's naval logistics and the declining capabilities of Russia are analyzed, illustrating the U.S.'s unique position in global defense.
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Small Footprint, Big Strategic Effect
- The U.S. currently stations about 100,000 troops overseas, concentrated mainly in Japan, Germany, and Korea as strategic force multipliers.
- Peter Zeihan argues these deployments cheaply shape regional security and prevent far costlier conflicts at home.
Avoid Large-Scale Base Withdrawals
- Do not withdraw from Japan, Germany, or Korea lightly because pulling back invites regional hegemonic competition and higher long-term costs.
- Zeihan warns withdrawal would force the U.S. into a defensive posture in its hemisphere and likely increase future war risks.
Global Deployments Are Hard To Build
- Long-range overseas deployments require unique logistics, infrastructure, and decades of practice, which few countries possess.
- Zeihan notes the U.S. is essentially the only modern country able to sustain that scale of global military presence.