Obama to unveil strategy for slimmed-down military
06 January, 2012
WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama vowed Thursday the United States would remain the world's pre-eminent military power even as the Pentagon scales back spending, shrinks the army and marine corps and pulls back from Europe, giving Asia a higher priority. In a rare appearance at the Pentagon, Obama spoke as the military released a strategy that summarises changes planned in how the military will operate in an era of budget cuts that will amount to billions of dollars. Obama announced no new capabilities or defence initiatives. He described a US force that would retain much of its recent focus, with the exception of fighting a large-scale, prolonged conflict like the newly ended Iraq mission or the continuing war in Afghanistan. His presentation strongly suggested improving US capabilities in the areas of cyber warfare, missile defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. "Our military will be leaner, but the world must know the United States is going to maintain its military superiority," Obama said, with Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen Martin Dempsey at his side. End.
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