Obama unveils plans for pared down military

Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama traveled to the Pentagon Thursday to unveil his plan for a leaner, cheaper military that will retain the ability to fight terrorism and confront new threats from countries like China and Iran.

"We are determined to maintain a ready and capable force, even as we reduce our overall capacity," the administration said in a summary of its defense priorities released as the president began to speak. "Our global responsibilities are significant; we cannot afford to fail." ...

Titled "Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense," it provides the bare bones of a defense strategy that will become more detailed as the White House and Congress prepare the 2013 budget.

The plan already has run into opposition from Republicans on Capitol Hill and GOP presidential candidates concerned about paring back the military. In addition, conservative defense analysts say the plan steps away from the long-time U.S. commitment to be able to wage two major wars simultaneously.

There is no overt mention in the strategy document, however, that the U.S. is stopping its policy of being ready to fight two-ground wars simultaneously, but the reduced size suggests that is the case.

My understanding is they're cutting bodies but not cutting all the fun, expensive toys that keep defense contractors smiling.