ABSTRACT
Amid the shifting array of alliances and animosities, the United States must reassess its diplomatic, military, and economic policies toward the region. A fundamental element of deterring aggression on the Korean Peninsula, as elsewhere, has been the forward deployment of US troops, which has reflected US commitment and resolve. The primary exogenous threat is the fearsome military power possessed by North Korea, arguably the fourth or fifth largest military establishment in the world. Provided that the United States and South Korea keep their alliance on track by avoiding the endogenous pitfalls, they have an excellent chance of realizing their goals for peace on the peninsula. US Forces in Korea serves a broader purpose aside from just deterring North Korean aggression. In light of the imminent reductions in the US forces in the Philippines, it might be beneficial for the peace and stability of the wider region, to keep a small and highly mobile contingency force on that strategically important peninsula.
