Pentagon Said to Seek 35% Fund Boost for Islamic State Fight
- Fourfold increase sought for European security initiatives
- Defense Secretary Ash Carter to outline broad themes Tuesday
This article is for subscribers only.
The Pentagon will seek a 35 percent increase in funding for the fight against Islamic State in its next budget, bringing the request for U.S. military efforts against the terrorist group to $7.5 billion, according to a defense official.
The $583 billion in defense spending that President Barack Obama will propose for fiscal 2017 also will include $3.4 billion for European-based security initiatives in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggressive moves in Ukraine, up from about $789 million this year, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity before the president sends his budget to Congress on Feb. 9.