The Global War on Terror (TM) pretty much buried the hope that, after the end of the Cold War, the U.S. might begin to beat its swords into plowshares. Two wars and occupations later, we are struggling with the moral and economic legacy of Bush-era excesses.

Lost in the post-9/11 haze, however, is a radical reshaping of the U.S.' global military presence. Sprawling Cold War-era bases are making way for a wide scattering of small, Spartan "lily pads" from which America can project its armed might. With Joe away, Abe looks at the new face of American empire.