Xinhua - English

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United States needs a larger military force and improved capabilities to meet global threats, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) said in a document released here Thursday.

Titled the "HASC Committee Defense Review Report," the document said more troops are needed and more investment in research and development is crucial.

It also said "the capability and capacity of existing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets are insufficient."

The report calls for a "robust" ballistic missile defense and asks the Pentagon to focus on defenses against biological weapons, which it said pose a "real and substantive threat" to national security.

It also said special operations forces should be increased by one-third.

The 127-page document was based on a range of congressional hearings on U.S. military issues between September 2005 and March 2006.

Combo picture of U.S. President George W. Bush holding his traditional year-end news conference in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House complex in Washington Dec. 20, 2006.

Combo picture of U.S. President George W. Bush holding his traditional year-end news conference in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House complex in Washington Dec. 20, 2006. (Xinhua)
Photo Gallery >>>

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said Wednesday that a permanent increase of the size of the U.S. military is necessary, but stopped short of saying if he will send more troops to Iraq.

U.S. foot soldiers tell Gates more troops needed

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates (L) speaks with General John Abizaid upon his arrival in Baghdad December 20, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates (L) speaks with General John Abizaid upon his arrival in Baghdad Dec. 20, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery >>>

BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Dec. 21) -- America's top generals at Camp Victory in Iraq on Wednesday told Secretary of Defense Robert Gates they were wary of bringing in more troops. So, Thursday the secretary asked the grunts that do the fighting -- the enlisted men -- their opinion and received the same answer over and over: put more boots on the ground.

Bush reveals plan to expand military size

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said Tuesday that he plans to expand the size of the U.S. military to meet the challenges of "a long-term global war against terrorists."