We definitely need to make many changes in spending. I think maintaining the military in Germany and Japan is too costly. I am sure AFF will chime in here and tell me why I am wrong. I feel that something has to give and I would prefer the troops be used elsewhere. Here is a link to a very long essay on US “Global Leadership: “There are several alternatives to global leadership, including greater reliance on regional security organizations and the creation of spheres of influence or regional balance-of-power arrangements. The United States would then act as a balancer of last resort. Such a strategy would preserve U.S. security without the costs and risks of an unrealistic crusade to lead the world.”