An Empire Needs No Colony: Bases, Runways, and Permission to Pass

Old empires seized land, changed flags, and appointed governors. Britain ruled India; France ruled large parts of Africa and Indochina. After 1945, that model became harder to maintain. Dozens of states gained independence, formed their own governments, and entered the United Nations. Military power did not disappear with the colonial flag. It moved into a network of bases, ports, airfields, and agreements that let forces pass through other countries.

Old empires seized land, changed flags, and appointed governors. Britain ruled India; France ruled large parts of Africa and Indochina. After 1945, that model became harder to maintain. Dozens of states gained independence, formed their own governments, and entered the United Nations. Military power did not disappear with the colonial flag. It moved into a network of bases, ports, airfields, and agreements that let forces pass through other countries.

Old empires seized land, changed flags, and appointed governors. Britain ruled India; France ruled large parts of Africa and Indochina. After 1945, that model became harder to maintain. Dozens of states gained independence, formed their own governments, and entered the United Nations. Military power did not disappear with the colonial flag. It moved into a network of bases, ports, airfields, and agreements that let forces pass through other countries.

Old empires seized land, changed flags, and appointed governors. Britain ruled India; France ruled large parts of Africa and Indochina. After 1945, that model became harder to maintain. Dozens of states gained independence, formed their own governments, and entered the United Nations. Military power did not disappear with the colonial flag. It moved into a network of bases, ports, airfields, and agreements that let forces pass through other countries.