Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
USA Today
February 7, 2008
Pg. 6
Bush deciding whether to continue reductions
By Anne Flaherty, Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- The top uniformed military officer on Wednesday described a tired U.S. military force, worn thin by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and unlikely to come home in large numbers anytime soon.
The assessment comes as President Bush decides whether to continue troop reductions in Iraq -- possibly endangering security gains made in recent months -- or not, and risk straining ground forces further.
"The well is deep, but it is not infinite," Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We must get Army deployments down to 12 months as soon as possible. People are tired."
Mullen's stern warning became political fodder for anti-war Democrats, who want legislation requiring that troops start coming home from Iraq immediately. Democrats also want legislation that would require soldiers and Marines to spend more time at home between combat tours. The Pentagon objects to both proposals, contending they would tie the hands of military commanders.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Mullen's testimony "confirms our warning that the war in Iraq has seriously undermined our nation's military strength and readiness, and therefore our national security."
"We need a new direction in our Iraq policy, one that will bring our troops home honorably, safely and soon," Pelosi added.
Mullen was testifying with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the administration's half-trillion-dollar defense budget for the 2009 budget year, which begins Oct. 1. Bush is seeking $588.3 billion for the Defense Department, of which $70 billion would go toward the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The war allotment is expected to last until early 2009, when the next president takes over.
If the current rate of war spending is a guide, the additional request for 2009 is likely to exceed $100 billion, Gates said. But, he said that he has no confidence in that number, in part because he doesn't know how many troops will be in Iraq this fall. Also uncertain is whether Congress will approve the $102.5 billion still needed in this budget year, he said.
Gates also said a long-term agreement being negotiated with Iraq on the presence of U.S. forces will not contain a commitment to defend Baghdad against external threats.
February 7, 2008
Pg. 6
Bush deciding whether to continue reductions
By Anne Flaherty, Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- The top uniformed military officer on Wednesday described a tired U.S. military force, worn thin by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and unlikely to come home in large numbers anytime soon.
The assessment comes as President Bush decides whether to continue troop reductions in Iraq -- possibly endangering security gains made in recent months -- or not, and risk straining ground forces further.
"The well is deep, but it is not infinite," Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We must get Army deployments down to 12 months as soon as possible. People are tired."
Mullen's stern warning became political fodder for anti-war Democrats, who want legislation requiring that troops start coming home from Iraq immediately. Democrats also want legislation that would require soldiers and Marines to spend more time at home between combat tours. The Pentagon objects to both proposals, contending they would tie the hands of military commanders.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Mullen's testimony "confirms our warning that the war in Iraq has seriously undermined our nation's military strength and readiness, and therefore our national security."
"We need a new direction in our Iraq policy, one that will bring our troops home honorably, safely and soon," Pelosi added.
Mullen was testifying with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the administration's half-trillion-dollar defense budget for the 2009 budget year, which begins Oct. 1. Bush is seeking $588.3 billion for the Defense Department, of which $70 billion would go toward the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The war allotment is expected to last until early 2009, when the next president takes over.
If the current rate of war spending is a guide, the additional request for 2009 is likely to exceed $100 billion, Gates said. But, he said that he has no confidence in that number, in part because he doesn't know how many troops will be in Iraq this fall. Also uncertain is whether Congress will approve the $102.5 billion still needed in this budget year, he said.
Gates also said a long-term agreement being negotiated with Iraq on the presence of U.S. forces will not contain a commitment to defend Baghdad against external threats.