U.S. plans to spread special operations.(A)

Byline: Rowan Scarborough

The Bush administration has begun plans for military actions in the global war on terrorism that include placing special operations forces in multiple countries simultaneously.

One senior administration official said the Pentagon hopes to finish destroying Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network in Afghanistan in weeks, not months.

"We need [these forces] in other parts of the world," this official said. "Everybody here has their own list [of countries]: Iraq, Somalia, the Philippines, South America. Take your pick."

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld is described as eager to go after al Qaeda cells outside Afghanistan sooner rather than later to prevent foot soldiers from burrowing deeper into the woodwork. "Rumsfeld wanted to start yesterday," said the administration official.

The defense secretary, a "hawk" in what the administration says will be a lengthy global war, has spoken …

U.S. plans to spread special operations.(A)

Byline: Rowan Scarborough

The Bush administration has begun plans for military actions in the global war on terrorism that include placing special operations forces in multiple countries simultaneously.

One senior administration official said the Pentagon hopes to finish destroying Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network in Afghanistan in weeks, not months.

"We need [these forces] in other parts of the world," this official said. "Everybody here has their own list [of countries]: Iraq, Somalia, the Philippines, South America. Take your pick."

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld is described as eager to go after al Qaeda cells outside Afghanistan sooner rather than later to prevent foot soldiers from burrowing deeper into the woodwork. "Rumsfeld wanted to start yesterday," said the administration official.

The defense secretary, a "hawk" in what the administration says will be a lengthy global war, has spoken …