Just a point for you to consider: the US could cut it's "defence" (an oxymoron if ever there was one) budget in half (ie 50%) and it would still be the largest defence budget in the world. As it currently stands, the annual US defence budget is bigger than EVERY other country on Earth (inc Russia, Britian & China) combined!! There's a figure to think about. I somehow seriously doubt that a reduction in defence spending is going to leave the US in a dangerous position.