Sen. Carl Levin, the new head of the Armed Services Committee, told defense reporters Tuesday that he would support a short-term surge of US military forces in Iraq, if it is preceded by a specific plan complete with milestones and time limits that transfer responsibility to the Iraqis. With such conditions in place, Levin believes the US could, in four to six months, begin to reduce the number of American forces. An unlimited surge as part of a plan to “stay in Iraq as long as the Iraqis want us” will lead to failure, in his opinion. “We’re already overstretched; we’ve got tours of duty that have already been extended,” Levin asserted, adding, “We’ve got a real problem.” He maintains, “There’s not a military solution.”
The Space Force is proposing to cancel a $3.4 billion program intended to provide missile warning and tracking coverage of the northern polar region as part of its 2027 budget request.