Since the end of the Second World War, the United States has patrolled distant seas and guarded far away lands under the auspices of maintaining stability in strategic regions of the world. This policy, a remnant of the Cold War, has led to the basing of troops in garrisons across Europe and Asia.

During the height of the Cold War, when the threat of invasion from the Soviets and their allies was very real, this was a prudent move. Today, however, defending the likes of Germany and South Korea defies logic. These countries are more than capable of mounting a vigorous defense in the unlikely event of an attack. Indeed, with today’s advances in military technology, the stationing of troops in far off lands seems almost counter productive.

In many such cases, be it Germany, Japan or South Korea, the citizens of these countries oppose our presence, just as we would oppose the stationing of foreign troops on our soil. According to a recent poll in South Korea, many residents would side with the North over their supposed ally in the event of a conflict. So why are we expending valuable resources in defense of such ingrates?

South Korea is a far cry from its backwater past. Today, the South is one of the most advanced countries in the world, with a solid democratic tradition. The South also has a strong, well-equipped military force and is more than capable of defending itself, perhaps its time they should.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/21/D8FTU7HO2.html