Some have claimed that the US is trying to build an empire. Funny, it just doesn't seem to be the case. Consider these two articles from today:

U.S. military to realign in Europe: Aim is for small bases in east to reduce presence in west

The top U.S. military officer in Europe outlined plans yesterday for establishing an array of skeletal bases and occasional-use training areas in Eastern Europe that would allow the United States to reduce its military presence in Western Europe and still be able to mount operations quickly in the region.

and

US pulls out of Saudi Arabia

The United States has said that virtually all its troops, except some training personnel, are to be pulled out of Saudi Arabia.

Pulling military forces out of countries sure sounds like a funny way to build an empire.