The establishment of overseas military bases with regard to the international security and distribution of power

The practice of establishing military installations and facilities in foreign countries dates back to the 20th century after the two World Wars as nations sought to exercise influence and domination over others. From a realist point of view, bases have been set up in different countries for some reasons with the most notable being the need to align national and political interests in both the host and the military-providing nation. These bases are of strategic importance and developments seen in various countries attest to this fact. Some countries needed to exercise authority over others, especially after colonization while others needed the help granted to them in the form of security, weaponry, and economic growth. The host countries in return provide good working environments for the installations. However, there are several laws and regulations to control the levels of control in these countries. The literature review section explore the history and the role that overseas military basing has been able to play in enhancing global security as well as power distribution across major powers. It outlines the significant changes that have characterised security threats and world peace over the years and steps that have been taken by major powers to contain these situations. Moreover, the research examines how the collapse of the former Soviet Union, which led to the unipolar world status made the United States to establish even more military bases across the globe and how these bases have been beneficial to the United States and other powerful nations across the globe. This research seeks to explore the realists perspective on how the establishment of overseas military bases help to improve international security and streamline distribution of power. The major objective of this paper is to explore whether the establishment of overseas military bases helps to improve security regulations and aid power distribution. The research will use a realist approach to data collection and analysis. Data will be sourced from secondary sources which are relevant to the topic and published between 2000 and 2017. Qualitative data analysis methods will be used.