The U.S. military deliberately minimized its overseas footprint to ease host-nation friction.

Evidence

As a Pentagon official explained in a 2009 presentation, the aim is to “lighten U.S. foreign footprints to reduce friction with host nations” and avoid offending “host nation and regional sensitivities.” — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 153

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the broader theme of U.S. base realignment strategy and how institutional adaptation shapes military presence.