MrSpkr's random thoughts . . .

Saturday, August 14, 2004

FT.com / World - US plans to cut forces overseas by 70,000

And it's about time.

The US is expected to announce on Monday that it is pulling 70,000 troops out of Europe and Asia in the largest restructuring of its global military presence since the second world war.

People briefed on the plan say two-thirds of the reductions will come in Europe, most of them military personnel stationed in Germany who will be sent back to US bases.

An additional 100,000 support staff and military families worldwide will be part of the realignment.

And that means nearly 200,000 fewer people to support the local economies of our "allies" around the world.

What took you so long to come up with this, George? Heck, this is something that should have been proposed, started, and finished by last spring.

The changes are expected to be announced by President George W. Bush at a speech to the Convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Cinncinatti, Ohio, on Monday.

Although Germany will remain home to the largest contingent of American forces on the continent, both army divisions now based there the 1st Armoured and the 1st Infantry could be moved to US bases.

Germany will continue to be home to sophisticated training and command facilities and to a mobile infantry force which will be equipped with the new light-armoured Stryker vehicles and is expected to form the core of a restructured European presence.

And that's STILL too many of our boys over there. Let the Europeans keep their own peace -- they sure as heck haven't been interested in OUR efforts at peacekeeping and elimination of threats.

When I see some European forces intervene in, say, Sudan or North Korea, we can re-evaluate all of this. Until then -- so long, God bless, and may the good Lord take a liking to ya'.

The Bush administration has been re-evaluating the US military's global posture almost since its first days in office. Senior Pentagon officials emphasised that the move was not intended as a punishment for Germany's lack of support in the Iraq war.

SUU-UURRRE it wasn't. Nope. No coincidence here at all. We just 'happen' to be withdrawing a bunch of troops from Germany at this particular time.

I guess Gerhard could ask *spit* the French *spit* to send in some troops.

Heck, given the history, he might get a good surrender out of it, too.

In Asia, the reduction is expected to include the 3,500-soldier brigade from South Korea, which was recently deployed to Iraq.

There will also be a shift of some European command headquarters. The navy's European HQ, which has been in London since the second world war, will be moved to Naples.

Another good move. The threat our Navy must deal with is in the Med, not the North Sea.

Why do I suspect this will be scrapped if Kerry wins in November?

Steve

P.S. I am working on an analysis of the Democrat nominee for Vice President, John Edwards. I hope to post by Monday.
- posted by MrSpkr @ 17:09

Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home

About Me