By Priyanka Deshpande
CNBC-TV18.com
Published August 13, 2024
The Economic Times reported on Sunday that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused the US of seeking her ousting to gain control over Saint Martin island in the Bay of Bengal.
On Monday, the White House dismissed claims of US involvement as "simply false." According to Business Standard, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that no discussions about taking over Saint Martin island occurred with the Hasina-led government.
While the US may not seek to establish a military base on St. Martin's Island, it does maintain a substantial military presence worldwide. Take a look:
According to an October 2023 article in the Chicago Council on Global Affairs' Blue Marble, the United States maintains a significant global military presence, with bases spread across at least 80 countries.
As of September 2022, there were 171,736 active-duty US military troops stationed in 178 countries.
The largest deployments are in Japan (53,973 troops), Germany (35,781 troops), and South Korea (25,372 troops).
Japan, Germany, and South Korea house the most US military bases, with 120, 119, and 73 respectively.
The US has about 750 military bases worldwide, but some reports suggest the number could be higher.
Many of these bases were established post-World War II, with expansions into the Middle East over the decades, including over 10 US bases in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Kuwait.
In 2022, the US spent $877 billion on its military, more than any other nation and more than several countries combined.
In 2023, the US increased its military presence due to tensions in the Middle East and South China Sea. By June, over 30,000 American troops were stationed in the Middle East.
A 2023 deal with the Philippines granted the US access to nine military camps, significantly bolstering its regional presence.
Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and Guam's Andersen Air Force Base are crucial US bomber bases in the Indo-Pacific.