WASHINGTON,  classified Pentagon assessment concludes that long battlefield tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with persistent terrorist activity and other threats, have prevented the US military from improving its ability to respond to any new crisis, AP has learned. 

Despite security gains in Iraq, there is still a ’significant’ risk that the strained US military cannot quickly and fully respond to another outbreak elsewhere in the world, according to the report. 

Last year the Pentagon raised that threat risk from ’moderate’ to ’significant’.

This year, the report will maintain that ’significant’ risk level--pointing to the US military’s ongoing struggle against a stubborn insurgency in Iraq and its lead role in the NATO-led war in Afghanistan. 
 

The Pentagon, however, will say that efforts to increase the size of the military, replace equipment and bolster partnerships overseas will help lower the risk over time, defense officials said Friday. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the classified report. 
 

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has completed the risk assessment, and it is expected to be delivered to Capitol Hill this month.