In this book Robert E. Harkavy analyses the modern status and the associated diplomacy of basing access, against the background of past political, military, and technological relationships. He provides a comprehensive description of the major powers' global basing networks, including their types, their locations, and the politics and economics of their acquisition. Professor Harkavy also gives details of the facilities the bases make available - naval, air, ground,
missile, intelligence, communications, research and testing, environmental monitoring, and space-related - and provides a wealth of tables and maps depicting US and Soviet global networks.
He analyses the roles of these bases for the USA, the USSR and other major powers, and discusses emerging political and technological developments which may alter basing diplomacy: the diffusion of power away from the superpowers, the increasing leverage of the smaller countries that host bases, the strengthened role of satellites in comparison with facilities on land and the possible impact of space defences on basing requirements. The crucial link between arms transfers and the
politics of basing is emphasized, and the final section is devoted to the politics and economics of foreign military presence.
Industry Reviews
`This is fascinating read for anyone interested in defence and intelligence issues.'
BBC Book of the Week, Arabic Service
`Robert Harkavy has produced a book that has long needed to be written, a comprehensive and well-organized analysis of bases and related military facilities around the world.'
Security and Arms Control
`This is a substantial piece of work. Harkavy provides a meticulous historical survey of how the two superpowers have obtained their bases ... a most useful survey.'
The Journal of Strategic Studies
`Harkavy has provided a treasury of basic data and analysis to inform both sides ... by far the most complete reference guide to an issue that is bound to grow in importance in the years to come.'
War Studies
`Harkavy has produced a meticulous and detailed study of US and Soviet military presence in foreign countries ... Detailed tables give data ... The work is well organized and has valuable notes and a bibliography.'
G.N. Sandwick, North Hennepin Community College, USA
`Robert Harkavy has produced a book that has long needed to be written, a comprehensive and well-organized analysis of bases and related military facilities around the world ... As Harkavy makes clear, bases also remain an issue of great political sensitivity, in both developed and Third World countries.'
Fred Halliday, London School of Ecoomics
'an excellent reference work ... Anyone interested in military matters should have it in his or her library.'
John C. Ausland, Oslo, Survival, Vol.xxxii, No.6 Nov/Dec 1990
'The empirircal material is overwhelming, but is presented in an orderly fashion under various headings.'
Magne Barth, Journal of Peace Research, No.3, 1990
