US to Spend $1.3 Billion on Afghanistan Bases

The Pentagon is embarking on a major base construction effort in Afghanistan even as Obama administration and military officials are making it clear that the US "surge" will last well past the July 11 deadline for beginning a drawdown of US troops.

The Washington Post reported Monday that the US Congress is preparing to pass legislation providing "$1.3 billion in additional fiscal 2011 funds for multiyear construction of military facilities in Afghanistan". These funds would cover, in part, $100 million expansions for each of three major US air bases in different parts of the country.

These projects, the Post stated, are indicative of plans "to support increased US military operations well into the future".'

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