The present-day U.S. military qualifies by any measure as highly professional, much more so than its Cold War predecessor. Yet the purpose of today’s professionals is not to preserve peace but to fight unending wars in distant places. Intoxicated by a post-Cold War belief in its own omnipotence, the United States allowed itself to be drawn into a long series of armed conflicts, almost all of them yielding unintended consequences and imposing greater than anticipated costs. Since the end of the Cold War, U.S. forces have destroyed many targets and killed many people. Only rarely, however, have they succeeded in accomplishing their assigned political purposes. . . . [F]rom our present vantage point, it becomes apparent that the “Revolution of ‘89” did not initiate a new era of history. At most, the events of that year fostered various unhelpful illusions that impeded our capacity to recognize and respond to the forces of change that actually matter.

Andrew Bacevich


Friday, November 2, 2007

War News for Friday, November 2, 2007

Photo: Turkish demonstrators carry pictures of Turkish soldiers killed by Kurdish rebels and shout anti-US slogans during a protest against the US and outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the center of Istanbul. US Secretary of State Rice pledged Friday to "redouble" US efforts to combat Kurdish rebels attacking Turkey from northern Iraq, while warning Ankara against unilateral military action.(AFP/Bulent Kilic) [Lots more where this came from. – dancewater]

Security Incidents for November 2, 2007


BAGHDAD - U.S. forces killed 10 gunmen and arrested three others during operations in central and northern Iraq, the U.S. military said. US air strike kills 10 militants and U.S. army says killed 10 al-Qaeda members [These all seem to be about the same story. US forces claim that there were “enemy combatants” and “al Qaeda” involved – but who knows if that is the truth or not. –dancewater]

BAGHDAD - Three US airmen have been killed during combat operations near an air base north of Baghdad, US Central Command said on Friday. The three were killed on Thursday near Balad air base, it said, adding they were "assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Balad".

Baghdad - Around 1 p.m., two roadside bombs exploded at the Doura junction (south Baghdad). No casualties recorded.

Baghdad - Around 3 p.m., mortars hit Binouk neighborhood (north east Baghdad). No casualties recorded.

Baghdad - Police found 3 unidentified bodies in the following neighborhoods:

( 2 ) in west Baghdad (Karkh bank) ; ( 1 ) in Amil and ( 1 ) in Jihad. While ( 1 ) was found in Sadr city in east Baghdad in Risafa bank.

RAMADI - Three people were wounded by a blast in a market in Ramadi, 110 km (68 miles) west of Baghdad, police said.

DIWANIYA - A roadside bomb hit a Polish patrol, killing one soldier and wounding three others in northern Diwaniya, 180 km (112 miles) south of Baghdad, a Polish military spokesman said.

Diyala - Thursday night, a bridge on the motor way between Udhaim and Baquba was bombed in the Udhaim plain blocking the traffic in the area, but no casualties recorded.

Kirkuk - Gunmen opened fire on two pupils on Thursday afternoon near Tuz Khurmatu (south of Kirkuk) during their return from school in (Beer Ahmed) village killing one and injuring the other.

Anbar - Thursday night, police arrested three terrorists wearing vest bombs at Al-Rutba (west of Al-Ramadi) who confessed on three others who were killed later on Friday morning in clashes in Rutba and outskirt of it (two were killed in Rutba and the third outside it).

Diala - Seven al-Qaeda leaders captured in Diala Police forces arrested nine gunmen, including seven al-Qaeda leaders, during three military operations in Diala, a police source said on Friday.

Babel - 3 policemen arrested for facilitating armed attack in Babel A joint force of Iraqi police-army personnel on Friday arrested three policemen, northeast of Hilla, for suspected involvement in facilitating armed attacks in Babel, a police source said.

More incidents from yesterday:

Basra - Gunmen using motorcycle killed Saleh Al Jizani, the brother of a prominent member of Mahdi army militia and Sadr trend in Basra, in Al Maqal area north Basra today.

Basra - Gunmen using a motorcycle killed a member of Mahdi army militia in Al Hussein neighborhood west Basra last night.

Baghdad - Police found 5 dead bodies throughout Baghdad. 1 in Saidiyah, 2 in Amil, 1 in Doura, 1 in Shaab

NORTH, CENTRAL IRAQ - U.S. forces killed an estimated 14 militants and detained 25 suspects in operations on Wednesday and early Thursday in northern and central Iraq, the U.S. military said.

Talafar - Security forces kill suicide bomber in Talafar Security forces on Thursday morning killed a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt near the Talafar hospital.

Thursday: 3 GIs, 61 Iraqis Killed; 45 Iraqis Wounded

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