WASHINGTON (AP) -- 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.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)