Obama Defense Strategy Includes Drastic Troop Cuts, Drones

(Newsroom America) -- A grand new defense strategy envisioned by the White House includes dramatic cuts to U.S. troop levels while increasing cyberwarfare capabilities, the use of drones and focusing more attention on Asia.

In comments to reporters at the Pentagon Thursday, President Obama laid out a strategy for increasing the U.S. military's presence in Asia, while shrinking overall the size of the force by what The Independent in London said was more than a half-million troops.

"The tide of war is receding but the question that this strategy answers is what kind of military will we need long after the wars of the last decade are over," Obama said, standing alongside Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

Obama said the U.S. would retain a robust nuclear deterrent, confronting terrorist threats and protecting the U.S. homeland, while fielding a "smaller and leaner" military force over the coming decade.

Other reports cited cuts of 10-15 percent in personnel, which would amount to about 100,000 soldiers and Marines.

The Army's current strength is about 565,000 soldiers and there are 201,000 Marines.

Critics have already said the cuts are being driven by budget concerns, not actual U.S. defense needs, but Obama and Panetta defended them.

"Some will no doubt say the spending reductions are too big; others will say they're too small," Obama said.

The White House will unveil the actual cuts in the coming weeks as part of the 2013 budget proposal.

"Over the past 10 years, since 9/11, our defense budget grew at an extraordinary pace," Obama said. "Over the next 10 years, the growth in the defense budget will slow but the fact of the matter is this - it will still grow because we have global responsibilities that demand our leadership."

The focus on Asia comes as the Pentagon becomes more concerned with China's strategic goals, analysts said.

"We will be strengthening our presence in the Asia-Pacific, and budget reductions will not come at the expense of that critical region," said Obama.

Reports have said the new strategy will focus on increasing naval and air power in the region.

On the Web: President Obama's Defense Department briefing

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