US Maintains 750 Overseas Bases with 174,000 Troops Across 80 Countries

The United States maintains a substantial military presence worldwide, including approximately 750 bases in 80 countries and 174,000 active-duty personnel, with around 50,000 stationed across 19 sites in the Middle East to counter threats from Iran, terrorism, China, and Russia. This extensive network, managed by commands such as CENTCOM and INDOPACOM, supports rapid response but also raises geopolitical, environmental, and ethical concerns, prompting the Trump administration to reassess the role of overseas bases. Recent escalations, including U.S. airstrikes in Iran and retaliatory missile attacks on bases like Al Udeid in Qatar, have intensified regional tensions and underscored the strategic importance of these deployments. Montana’s military community contributes to this global posture through deployments in Africa and its critical role in nuclear deterrence via Malmstrom Air Force Base, which manages intercontinental ballistic missile facilities. Concurrently, the U.S. military has bolstered its presence in the Middle East since 2024 to deter Iranian-backed groups and support allies like Israel amid ongoing conflicts and attacks on U.S. forces and assets. Despite these efforts, the presence of U.S. bases continues to provoke anti-American sentiment and imposes financial and operational burdens, highlighting the complexity of balancing national security interests with broader geopolitical ramifications.