Analysis Sees Budget Savings In Afghan Troop Withdrawal

President Obama's plan to pull 33,000 American troops from Afghanistan could save the Pentagon billions of dollars in operating costs, Defense News reports.

The Pentagon could save up to $17 billion in 2012 alone, according to Todd Harrison, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.

The Dept. of Defense budgeted for 98,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan throughout fiscal year 2012, Harrison noted. However, under the new schedule, only about 68,000 troops...