US may delay troop reductions in Germany

[Robbien]

Source: IHT/AP

WASHINGTON: The United States may delay a plan to reduce the number of its troops based in Germany, a military spokesman said Tuesday.

The head of the U.S. European Command, Gen. Bantz Craddock, has recommended to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates that two of four Army brigades in Europe be kept there a year or so longer than had been planned. Those brigades are currently based in Germany and have been rotating through Iraq.

. . .

The decrease in troops so far — amid repeated deployments to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by those remaining in Europe — has forced officials to cancel military exercises and other activities with European allies.

The idea of cutting troops from 68,000 in 2001 to 28,000 by 2012 was part of an initiative by former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to transform the military into a leaner, more cost-effective force.

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/30/america/NA-GEN-US-Germany-Troops.php

[Eurobabe]

1. Can't do it, need to bomb Iran first

:sarcasm:

[beberocks]

2. The troop reduction was also in response to how well we are getting on with Russia.

Now that * has reignited a cold war with Russia, they'll have to rethink those troop reductions. Looks like a draft to me--and all those rightwingers like Elizabeth Hasselbeck will be lining up at the enlistment offices! :sarcasm:

[ohio2007]

3. Ya never know when those zani Nazi's will pop up and retake Europe

/sarc