http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090720/johnson

A Modest Proposal for Garrisoned Lands

By Chalmers Johnson - July 2, 2009

The US Empire of Bases--at $102 billion a year already the world's costliest military enterprise--just got a good deal more expensive. As a start, on May 27, we learned that the State Department will build a new "embassy" in Islamabad, Pakistan, which at $736 million will be the second priciest ever constructed, only $4 million less, if cost overruns don't occur, than the Vatican City-sized one the Bush administration put up in Baghdad. The State Department was also reportedly planning to buy the five-star Pearl Continental Hotel (complete with pool) in Peshawar, near the border with Afghanistan, to use as a consulate and living quarters for its staff there...

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http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090720/johnson