From: "Tony Ingenoso" 

Not if its presented for exactly what it would be - i.e.

"We don't need to be there anymore because the kingdom's security has
increased to where external threats are no longer a problem. If a situation
develops and the kingdom feels it needs us again, we'll of course be there
to assist."

People hate the US abroad because we're in places we really don't need to
be, and tend to stay around longer than needed.  We should be more
selective about where we permanently or semi-permanently base troops.

I've long been a proponent of a major increase in airlift capability so we
can react from domestic bases quickly.  When there's no hostilities afoot,
that airlift capacity should be put to use doing disaster relief and
humanitarian cargo missions around the world.  Get the world used to the
idea that when the USA's heavy haulers are coming HELP is on the way.

"Randy H"  wrote in message
news:3e4706f0{at}w3.nls.net...
> From a cost standpoint, I agree.
>
> The Saudi internal politics is a much deeper problem, and I fear that
> such a 'backing down' might cuase some some more emblodened
> actions against the US.

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