More cuts in the new US defence strategy

06/01/12 00:03 CET

world news

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US President Barack Obama has announced changes to America’s defence strategy that will see a much “leaner” military force.

Officials say the plan could mean a reduction of more than a hundred thousand troops from the army’s current strength of more than half a million.

But the strategy calls for the US military presence in Asia to be expanded and stresses the importance of maintaining stability in the Middle East.

Senior Defence department officials say the plans will also keep up the pressure on Iran to dismantle it’s nuclear programme.

But critics say the cuts are being driven by the need to cut public spending rather than for US defence needs.

President Obama did not give any financial details relating to the plan. Those are likely to be revealed in the upcoming federal budget for 2013.

More about: American budget, Asia, Barack Obama, Defence, USA

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