(Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Oded Eran - Sequestration in the U.S. budget is a process of across-the-board, mandated spending cuts to control the deficit. Immediate steps announced by the Secretary of Defense that impact on the Middle East include cutting by half the number of days at sea of ships in the area, and cutting the number of hours of flight operations by a quarter. One aircraft carrier, USS Harry S Truman, will not be deployed as planned in the Gulf. The Amphibious Ready Group, which previously took part in various activities, including against terrorism threats in Africa, will not be deployed in 2014. The writer is a senior research associate and former director of INSS.
2013-03-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive