Jan 6

Pentagon agrees deeper cuts to stem spending (AFP)

AFP – Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday unveiled cuts of 78 billion dollars in US military programs, saying the country faced a “dire” fiscal situation that meant scaling back defense spending. Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 6

U.S. to send 1,400 Marines to Afghanistan (Reuters)

Reuters – The United States will temporarily send 1,400 more Marines to Afghanistan in an effort to hold onto fragile security gains, but overall U.S. troop levels will not surpass previously announced limits, the Pentagon said on Thursday. Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 6

Gates proposing program cuts in military budget (AP)

AP – Defense Secretary Robert Gates is announcing the latest round of cost-cutting measures for the military, including a plan to do away with a new amphibious vehicle that can ferry troops to shore while under fire. Read the rest of this entry »

Jan 6

US boosts combat forces in Afghanistan: report (AFP)

AFP – Defense Secretary Robert Gates has authorised deployment of an extra 1,400 US Marines to Afghanistan to help counter a foreseen Taliban offensive ahead of mandated US troop reductions, a report said Thursday. Read the rest of this entry »