Blog Assignment 3

 US Military Bases and the Hegemonic Cycle

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As the textbook posits, the US is currently operating on the “opposite end of the hegemonic cycle (Flint, 123).” This means that, while they used to be able to achieve their international presence in other ways, it is now achieved solely by military intervention. The hegemonic cycle predicts that a state is doing better when it is reaching the world in ways that aren’t just militarism (Flint, 123).  

Let’s try to better explain this by comparing two different military bases that the US has; in Cuba and in Afghanistan.

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The Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba is the oldest foreign base that the US has. How did they get it, though? Well, not by any military means, but instead by a treaty that benefitted both parties. In the early 20^th century, the US got to use the Cuban land for coaling, and in return, Cuba got paid for it (Cuba). This was during a time when the US was seen as very powerful and strong, even until the 1950s, when this relationship went downhill, with Fidel Castro in power. However, despite the efforts of Castro to expel US troops, the previous treaty made it so that the relationship can only end if both countries deem it so- so the base is still there (Cuba). Today, the base is used for fueling purposes, and to help defend against drug trafficking in the Caribbean. This is interesting to me. This base was seemingly beneficial, in more ways than just militarily, and it was established during a time when the US was on the high end of the hegemonic cycle.

https://militarybases.com/overseas/afghanistan/

On the contrary, is the air base in Bagram, Afghanistan. This base was originally controlled by the Soviets in the 70s and 80s, before the Taliban fought to take it back in the late 90s. This didn’t last for long, though, because US and Britain forced invaded Afghanistan in 2001, and the US has held control ever since (Afghanistan). While this base may now provide good things, such as promotion of education, it was established under different circumstances, and for only military purposes. This supports the decline of the US on the hegemonic cycle since, as mentioned earlier, when a country is beginning to only have military motives this is a sign that things are changing (Flint, 124). 

References:

Bagram Air Base in Parvan Province, Afghanistan. Military Bases. (2022, March 21). Retrieved March 31, 2022, from https://militarybases.com/overseas/afghanistan/bagram/ 

Flint, C., & Taylor, P. J. (2018). Political Geography: World-Economy, Nation-State and Locality. Routledge. 

Guantanamo Naval Base in Guantanamo, Cuba. Military Bases. (2022, March 21). Retrieved March 31, 2022, from https://militarybases.com/overseas/cuba/guantanamo-bay/