The U.S. military has over 270,000 troops currently deployed across the globe, including in 17 countries that the public up until now didn't even know about. Our guest this week, Ben Friedman, a senior analyst with Defense Priorities, takes on the Washington shibboleth that we couldn't possibly start bringing any of those troops home — particularly the thousands in the Middle East and Europe — because they would leave "power vacuums." He argues that even if there is a "security gap" left in our place, there are regional powers that can step into the breach. In the first segment, Daniel and Kelley talk about the demise of 'interim president' Juan Guaido of Venezuela.

More from Ben Friedman:

When courting quasi-allies like Ukraine becomes a moral hazard, with Natalie Armbruster, Responsible Statecraft, 12/28/22

Don't fear vacuum: it's safe to go home, Defense Priorities, 12/7/22

The  case for getting rid of the National Security Strategy, with Justin Logan, War on the Rocks, 11/4/22

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