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


Monday, May 25, 2009

War News for Monday, May 25, 2009

Expatica is reporting the death of a French ISAF soldier from a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head at an undisclosed location south of Kabol on Sunday, May 24th.


Airpower Summary for May 22, 2009:

Iraqi killed U.S. soldier bailed out by court:

Insurgents prepare to battle Iraqi government:

Afghan floods kill 94:

Pakistan Says It Makes More Gains on Taliban:

U.S. soldiers' options limited to protect Afghans from Taliban: (And who can protect the Afghani people from the Americans? -- whisker)

North Korea Announces 2nd Test of Nuclear Device:


Reported Security incidents:

Baghdad:
#1: Around 4 a.m. a police force raided a house in alGhadeer area in east Baghdad. When the force reached the suspected house, insurgents inside it started shooting. Police responded to the fire killing two insurgents including a Syrian man and arresting another four insurgents. Police also captured two car bombs, bombs and other weapons.

#2: Around 10 a.m. an IED detonated in Adil neighborhood in west Baghdad targeting the US military. US military confirmed the incident saying there were no casualties associated with the event.


Diyala Prv:
Baquba:
#1: Four policemen were injured by a roadside bomb north of Baquba city around 9 a.m.

#2: Iraqi police found the corpses of six civilians in Uthmaniyah area south west Baquba city.


Suweiyra:
#1: Three car bombs on Sunday were found during a security operation in northern Wassit province, according to a local police chief. “On Sunday, a Quick Response Department (QRD) force raided a terrorist hideout in al-Suweira district (135 km north of Kut),” the commander of the department, Maj. Aziz Lateef al-Amara told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. “Three Toyota sedans rigged with explosives were found during the operation, in addition to remote controls and materials used in the manufacturing of explosive devices,” the major added.


Mosul:
#1: Six plastic bags containing TNT explosives were discovered under a bridge in southern Mosul city, a local security source said on Sunday. “Forces from Ninewa police found the explosive material under a bridge between Albo Youssuf village and Hamam al-Aleel district, southern Mosul,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

#2: Three female students were wounded on Monday in an armed attack in western Mosul, according to a security source. “An unknown gunman opened fire on three female students while leaving their school in 17 Tamouz neighborhood in western Mosul on Monday (May 25), injuring them,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.



Afghanistan: "The Forgotten War"
#1: The son of former Belfast Lord Mayor Bob Stoker has been seriously injured in an explosion in Afghanistan. Michael Stoker, a soldier in the Queen's Royal Hussars, was hurt in an explosion in Helmand Province on Friday. The 22-year-old's vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. Two other soldiers were also injured.

Posted by whisker at 3:52 AM

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