Definition: In this task, you will be presented with a passage and have to answer a question based on your understanding of the events inferred from the passage. Try to find the best answer that is most likely to fill in "_". Note that the URLs in the text have been replaced with [Link].
Input: Crippling cuts to defence spending have left Britain unable to defend itself or stand up to Russia, according to the former head of the Army. General Sir Peter Wall said the 'consequences' of the squeeze on funding is now 'playing out' in the UK's approach to dealing with Vladimir Putin. He joins a growing chorus of criticism of the refusal by any of the main parties to protect defence spending from cuts after the election, despite a pledge to increase foreign aid budgets being enshrined in law. General Sir Peter Wall said the 'consequences' of the squeeze on funding is now 'playing out' in the UK's approach to dealing with Vladimir PutinSir Peter Wall says consequences of budget cuts are now 'playing out'UK is reluctant to face up to Russia incursions into airspace and watersJoins chorus of criticism of the impact of spending cuts on the militaryCameron under pressure to commit 2% of GDP to defence under UN target 
 Question:Up to 30,000 service personnel could go - with the _ likely to bear the heaviest cuts - leaving the armed forces with a combined strength of just 115,000 by the end of the decade, it predicted.

Army