Pentagon Starts Paring Troops in Afghan War as Drawdown Looms
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The Pentagon has started paring U.S. forces in Afghanistan, even before President Barack Obama decides on the full size of the promised reduction, by re-routing 800 soldiers that were in training for the conflict.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, Obama’s top military adviser, said yesterday that they approved a recommendation from Army General David Petraeus, the top U.S. and coalition commander in Afghanistan, to go without two battalions that were due to arrive in the war zone after July 1.