Ken Silverstein is reporting for Harper's online that "a well-connected former CIA officer" is telling him that the Cheney-Bush administration considering deploying American troops to Lebanon (Could U.S. Troops End Up in Lebanon? 07/26/06):
The officer, who had broad experience in the Middle East while at the CIA, noted that NATO and European countries, including England, have made clear that they are either unwilling or extremely reluctant to participate in an international force. Given other nations' lack of commitment, any “robust” force - between 10,000 and 30,000 troops, according to estimates being discussed in the media - would by definition require major U.S. participation. According to the former official, Israel and the United States are currently discussing a large American role in exactly such a “multinational” deployment, and some top administration officials, along with senior civilians at the Pentagon, are receptive to the idea.
The uniformed military, however, is ardently opposed to sending American soldiers to the region, according to my source. “They are saying 'What the [Cheney]?'” he told me. “Most of our combat-ready divisions are in Iraq or Afghanistan, or on their way, or coming back. The generals don't like it because we're already way overstretched.” (my emphasis)
What the [Cheney] indeed!
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