Rumsfeld Doesn't Want To Increase Size Of Army, Turns To Montenegro?

[JABBS]

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Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has not favored substantially expanding the Army, concluding that such a step would draw money from programs he favors to overhaul the military. Congress, however, has mandated a temporary 30,000-soldier increase for the Army.

The strain on the Army may grow worse if Italy decides to leave Afghanistan at yearend. Italy has some 1,600 troops among the 20,000 NATO-led troops in Afghanistan. (The U.S. also has more than 20,000 troops there.)

But even if Italy leaves the coalition, Rumsfeld has found one replacement source of troops: Montenegro. Montenegro?

[izzie]

1. Great deal didn't they belong to Russia?

I do recall from History that their Royals were great friends of the late Czar and the good monk. I did not know the country was still around. I thought it had melted into another country. Live and learn.

[gratuitous]

2. Used to be part of Yugoslavia

Dinky little bit of mountainous terrain down Albania way, I believe. I guess it's nice that they're on our side; we're kind of short on international friends right now (and for good reason).

[nealmhughes]

4. The king's daughters were Russian Grand Duchesses and introduced Rasputin

to the Czarina. Victor Emanuele II of Italy's wife was their sister. One of the queen's daughters died in Buchenwald.

Supposedly when they came down out of the mountains to Petersburg and Rome, they carried large daggers in their sashes to "protect their virtue!" I wonder what the people in the palaces thought of those Amazons?!

[izzie]

6. Seems to me I recall they were always trying to wed rich.

These Royals, in all countries, were sort of crazy. Prince Albert seemed to see the writing on the wall. He did think his blood was better than the average bear but he did see what was going on.

[jimshoes]

3. That seems like scraping the barrel

to me. There was a post earlier that stated the Montenegro had a standing army of 4,000. I can't immagine they will give us all of them.

[JABBS]

5. they have a standing army of between 650 and 1,100