Forward-basing

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Forward-basing, or forward deployment, means a country keeps troops, equipment and bases in another country for an extended period to project power and support its interests. Forward-based forces can be used for expeditionary warfare, deterrence, logistics, joint training and gathering intelligence. Being closer lets them respond to threats faster. But it relies on the host country’s permission, which can be withdrawn for political reasons, and the closer proximity to potential threats brings higher operational risk. Throughout history, major powers like the United States, United Kingdom, France and Russia have used forward-basing to advance their foreign policy. For example, the United States has many forces based in the Middle East to counter terrorism and deter Iran, operating from forward operating bases (FOBs) and main operating bases (MOBs). Forward basing can reassure allies that might otherwise feel vulnerable. NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence places troops in Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to reassure those countries after Russia’s annexation of Crimea.