The Obama Administration plans on unveiling what officials are calling a “more realistic” vision of the future of the US military on Thursday, promising significant cuts in the number of available ground troops at America’s disposal.
If you think that’s going to be an overall cut in the size of the US military or its budget, however, you haven’t been paying attention for the last several decades, as officials say the move will be coupled with an increase in spending on warplanes and warships.
Nominally, the plan is designed to move from the US being able to sustain two major occupations at any given time to one major occupation and enough forces to “block another conflict.” In real terms, it means an increase in spending, as usual.
In terms of the ground troops, officials say that instead of bringing army brigades home from Afghanistan the plan is for them to “basically disappear.” Even though the plan amounts to a net increase in spending going forward, it is expected to face resistance from hawks who feel it doesn’t increase spending enough.
You know, we used to talk of the ability to fight two wars, the model being simultaneous actions on the Korean peninsula and in Europe. Now it's "sustain two occupations"? The army is no longer to actually fight wars- that's minor, I guess- but instead, to occupy?
How the world has changed. Pre-2001 the US never used to contemplate occupying anybody. Now it seems the US is hell bent (emphasis on the word, "bent") on occupying at least somebody, all the time.
Otherwise what would the army be for?
WHEN!?!
WHEN do We, The People, say — as the Zapatistas said in 1994, Mexico — YA BASTA!!!
ENOUGH!!!
WHEN do we get enufff Data, Knowledge, Information, and (gasp!!!) Wisdom to finally, actually, really realize how screwed up things are, and, beyond that, actually really DO something about it?!?!?
Or, is it simply a matter of balls?
The American public would rise up in a furious outrage…if they cancelled dancing with the stars or the football game. Other than that, not so much.
“A plague on both your houses”
Sounds like a plan, unless the benighted savages find some way to mount an anti-aircraft defence. What with the 'eyes in the sky' for targetting, precision muntions to destroy the enemy and a constant rouind of cold drinks waiting back at base, it's war in 'classic' American style.
All that's missing is is an unceasing vigilance on those who would harm the war effort by striking the Homeland.
Indeed. There may actually have been some truth to the Bush claim that we were fighting them over there so we wouldn't have to fight them over here. As long as we provide convenient targets over there, what need is there to send fighters thousands of miles over oceans to attack the enemy here? However, if there is no opportunity to fight back against troops stationed in your own country, but the enemy is constantly bombarding you and your loved ones from 20,000 feet in the air, often with unmanned drones, what vengeance do you have but to strike back at the enemy's home?
Yep! That's why you'd find some supposed policeman or army recruit go ballistic on their trainers asses and kill a half dozen or so at a time. They have no aircraft but do have an abundance of patience and the burning flames of revenge. Justifiably so. That's also the reason we now hear about drones being used on us is because they've laid the foundation for tyranny here by testing out tyranny overseas… out of sight and out of mind. Not for much longer.
Our presidents going back a ways have all been owned by the MIC.
Like DR Paul says constantly (BLOWBACK) for you crimes and muders.What would you do faceing a country with Anti Aircraft defence.You have to nuke them and chance and almost forsure full scale nucular war,or send in ground troops.As we can't win in Iraq,or Afganistan,and would stand no chance against a country like Russia,or China just to name a few.And like the comments abouve sais when arte Americas going to say with force thats it no more illegal wars that kill millions,well making us less safe and hated.No more support at all for Israels crimes there big boys deal with the things you start.There was never a war to end all wars,that will happen when everyone is dead thanks to the garbage in charge.
After our successes in the Middle East the US is moving its triumphal tour to Asia. Brilliant. They are going to try and scare….China, who owns the US. If in someway all this lunacy does something to reduce the number of troops and innocents killed, fine. But what on earth do they plan on doing in Asia?
I'm old enough to remember when "occupation' was a bad word.
More money for a less capable army. Damn these imperialists are smart!
Let’s see: cut ground forces; but nothing about reducing no. of flag officers or closing a regional command or two. OTOH, more of the same from 1991: cut troops, keep spending on program mgrs.-senior Pentagon officials-contractors faves. I’d say shame on you, Pres. Obama, but I’ve yet to hear threats of anything different from the remotest of Pres. hopefuls.