The expected drawdown of conventional forces in Iraq will not initially be matched by a reduction in the number of U.S. special operations forces, which may even increase in number, according to several senior special operations officials.

However, when Afghanistan and Iraq are finally stabilized, U.S. special operations forces will shift their focus away from U.S. Central Command’s area of operations and toward east and southeast Asia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Capabilities Kalev Sepp told the National Defense Industrial Association’s special operations and low-intensity conflict symposium in Washington Feb. 14.