January 26, 2012

U.S. officials say the Pentagon is moving to unleash special operations troops worldwide, as traditional military operations are cut back.

Defense officials have embraced a proposal by special operations
chief Adm. Bill McRaven to push troops as they withdraw from war
zones to reinforce units in areas somewhat neglected during the
decade-long focus on al-Qaida.

Explained in detail to The Associated Press, officials say the
stepped-up global network would position commandos closer to new
crisis zones. That would make them better able to build ties with
local armies for joint operations and better located to launch
unilateral raids like the one that killed Osama bin Laden -- and the
one this week that rescued western hostages in Somalia.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the
plan.