[jaguar]

I was of the understanding it was more an issue of re-deployment rather than scale, out of places like Germany and Japan where troops aren't needed and aren't wanted to more useful locations combined with front-line hotspot bases that can accomodate troops when needed, particularly in central asia and eastern europe. It's not something I really follow but I pick up bits and pieces.

While more troops are needed in Iraq now the best thing they could do is drop the word war. Wars are fought against identifiable foes, outside some fundies with AKs and mountain ponies floating around the north end of pakistan I don't see how this is going to end any better than the 'war' on drugs. Long, expensive, counter-productive and high on collateral damage while denying the problem starts at home.