Pentagon expects new troop cut in Iraq

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-17-2008 09:00

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, expects to recommend further troop reductions in Iraq this autumn. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the US is looking to send more troops to Afghanistan with the rising insurgent violence there.

U.S. soldiers from 101st Airborne Division, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 4th Platoon patrol in Khost province, May 25, 2008.(Reuters)

Conditions in Iraq have improved more than expected. This is one of the findings made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, following a recent trip to Iraq.

Admiral Mike Mullen said, "I won't go so far as to say that progress in Iraq from a military perspective has reached a tipping point, or it is irreversible. It has not, and it is not. But security is unquestionably and remarkably better. Indeed, if these trends continue, I expect to be able early in the fall to recommend to the Security and the President further troop reductions."

Military officials have been hoping that if security in Iraq continues to improve, they may be able to send more units to Afghanistan where they say violence is increasing because of the flow of militants from neighboring Pakistan.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, said officials are looking for ways to deploy extra troops this year. He said, "There is a real need to do something on the Pakistani side of the border to bring pressure to bear on the Taliban and some of these other violent groups."

Gates said so far no decisions or recommendations have been made.

Admiral Mullen said additional troops will clearly have a big impact on insurgents coming across the border.

Editor:Zhang Yue