The narrator explores the idea of imagining a world where the US is not the most powerful country, and instead, another country like Spain has a massive military presence around the world, including in the US. The narrator then reveals that this is actually the reality, but with the US being the country with a vast network of military bases globally.
The narrator explains that the US has around 750 military bases outside of its borders, with the majority being in Germany, Japan, and South Korea. These bases were initially established after World War II and the Korean War. However, there are also many smaller, lesser-known bases in various countries, including in Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific.
The narrator interviews an expert, David, who has researched and compiled a database of US military bases abroad. The narrator also shares a map showing the locations of these bases and discusses the diverse range of installations, from large complexes to small air strips and radar stations.
The narrator invites viewers to share their thoughts on the US military presence around the world and asks those who live near a base to share their experiences. The video aims to spark a discussion about the implications of the US military's global presence and whether it is the right use of taxpayer money.
The narrator also thanks Storyblocks, a sponsor of the video, for providing footage and assets.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator is mapping every single US military base around the world.
2. The US Department of Defense has never accurately mapped its own bases.
3. In 2018, 1,200 independent accountants and analysts tried to audit the US Department of Defense, but it didn't pass the audit.
4. The Department of Defense doesn't have the documents or knowledge to piece together the full scope of its organization.
5. The Pentagon is one of the largest and most powerful organizations on the planet.
6. Much of the US military is not actually in the US, but outside of its borders, all around the world.
7. The US has a huge infrastructure of bases in Germany, Japan, and South Korea, which are holdovers from World War II and the Korean War.
8. The US has a large number of military bases in Africa, which have popped up in recent years.
9. The US has a military base in the island of Diego Garcia, which was established by displacing hundreds of local people.
10. The US has a number of small installations in Africa, which mainly house drones, radar, or weapons systems.
11. The US rents air strips in some countries, which are used for refueling and weapon storage.
12. The US has a stockpile of war supplies all around the globe, which makes it easier to launch a war without having to ramp up a war economy at home.
13. The US has spent tens of millions of dollars to upgrade an airport in Iceland for military purposes.
14. The US has a number of military installations in the Azores, which are used for refueling and weapon storage.
15. The US has a base in Greenland, which is the most northern base in the world.
16. The US has a number of remote military bases in the Pacific, which are mainly small air strips.
17. The narrator has compiled accounts of people who live next to US military bases and is calling on others to share their experiences.
18. The narrator is making a high-resolution version of the map of US military bases available on their Patreon page.
19. The narrator is sponsored by Storyblocks, which is a place where you can get loads of amazing footage, sound design assets, and After Effects templates.