Obama unveils new strategy for smaller military

Obama insists United States will maintain what he calls best-equipped military in U.S. history despite deep and looming defense budget cuts.In a rare appearance in the Pentagon briefing room, Obama offered the outlines of an overhauled defense strategy. It is designed to contend with hundreds of billions of dollars in budget cuts and refocus the United States national security priorities after a decade dominated by the post.-Sept. 11 wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.Obama says the military will be leaner but promises the world that the U.S. will maintain its military superiority with fighting forces ready for any threat.The president says the strategy review centered on the military the country needs after the long wars of the last decade are over.Obama vowed the US military would maintain its superiority and bolster its presence in Asia despite planned cuts to defense budget.So, yes, our military will be leaner, but the world must know -- the United States is going to maintain our military superiority with armed forces that are agile, flexible and ready for the full range of contingencies and threats, he said.Unveiling a revised military strategy designed to reflect a more austere era, Obama said the plan called for increasing the American presence in the Pacific while moving away from large ground wars against insurgents.Well be strengthening our presence in the Asia Pacific, and budget reductions will not come at the expense of this critical region, said Obama, in an unusual appearance in the Pentagons briefing room.As we look beyond the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and the end of long-term, nation-building with large military footprints -- well be able to ensure our security with smaller conventional ground forces, Obama said.The strategy review is supposed to shape Pentagon budget priorities as Obamas administration prepares for $487 billion in defense cuts over the next 10 years.In a politically charged election year, White House officials stressed Obama was deeply involved in the strategy review and sought to portray the president as taking a responsible approach to defense spending informed by the advice of commanders. --AFP