The Myth of the "Stretched-Thin" Military

The great battles of the War of Terror are being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, with roughly a third to half the military that existed during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. This has led pundits to claim American forces are stretched to the breaking point, with too many missions for its 21st Century role as the world's lone superpower. Those who make such wild accusations lack an understanding of the advances in warfare since the first Gulf War, which has transformed the US from a superpower to a "Hyperpower". Here are 5 reasons the critics are wrong:

1. During the first Gulf War, 10% of US aircraft carried precision weapons, compared to 100% today. This gives the military at least 10 times the firepower of Desert Storm.

2. Throughout the Cold War America's 15 aircraft carriers were scattered around the globe to keep the Soviet Navy in check. Today, the Navy can surge up to 8 carrier groups to a world hotspot on short notice.

3. Iraq and Afghan military forces are daily increasing in strength and confidence, decreasing the need for US and British troops in the future.

4. The Army is raising the number of combat brigades for 33 to 48 by 2007, without a major increase in troop strength.

5. Though the total US warships have halved since Operation Desert Storm, the Navy has added nearly 100 cruise missile firing warships, turning it into a "vast missile magazine".

There's more good news: So why all the criticism? Here's what President Bush said on the subject today: "The only way the terrorists can win is if we lose our nerve. This will not happen on my watch!"