Pentagon Said to Seek 20% Cut in U.S. War Funding to $51B

The Pentagon is requesting $51 billion in war funding for the fiscal year starting October 1st, a 20% reduction from the previous year's $64 billion. This is the smallest request since the September 11th attacks, reflecting the ongoing withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The funding, known as overseas contingency operations, is separate from the basic defense budget, which is expected to be $534 billion in President Obama's budget. The reduction highlights a shift in military priorities and spending.

What is the overall defense spending amount mentioned in President Barack Obama's budget?

What could the smaller funding request reflect regarding U.S. military operations?