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


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

War News for Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Reported security incidents

Baghdad:
#1: "An improvised explosive device went off this morning near a library in al-Houriya region, northern Baghdad, injuring two civilians," the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

#2: "Another bomb exploded last night near an alcoholic beverages store in al-Saadon street, central Baghdad, wounding two civilian, who were carried to a nearby hospital for treatment," the same source said.

#3: “A mortar shell hit a house in al-Baladiyat region, eastern Baghdad, wounding two civilians,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

#4: “Six mortar shells landed on the General Security headquarters of the joint forces in eastern Baghdad, with no word on casualties,” he added.


Baiji:
#1: An Iraqi official says security forces have foiled a new attack against the country's largest oil refinery. Salahuddin provincial spokesman Mohammed al-Assi says a bomb was found inside the Beiji refinery on Monday but was dismantled on time. He says an investigation was under way Tuesday.


Mosul:
#1: One civilian was killed on Monday by gunmen in eastern Mosul, according to a security source. “Unknown gunmen opened fire on a civilian near his house in al-Quds neighborhood, eastern Mosul, killing him instantly,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

#2: A university professor was killed on Tuesday by gunmen in eastern Mosul, a security source said. "Unknown gunmen killed on Tuesday morning a university professor while heading to his work near his house in al-Baried neighborhood, eastern Mosul," the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. "The gunmen opened fire on him using guns with silencers," he added.


Al Anbar Prv:
#1: A young man was killed on Tuesday by gunmen in central Falluja, a police source said. "An armed group opened fire on a civilian using guns with silencers in al-Dubat neighborhood near al-Mudalal mosque, central Falluja," the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. "The young man, 18, has a father working for the Anbar provincial council," he added.



Afghanistan: "The Forgotten War"
#1: A bomb planted by suspected Islamic militants exploded at a filling station in Pakistan's central Punjab province Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and wounding 127 others, police said. "We fear the death toll may rise because the condition of some of the injured is very critical," said Aftab Cheema, regional police chief in Faisalabad, the country's textile-making capital. "It was a car bomb blast. The explosive was planted in a car. We are investigating whether a suicide bomber was involved or not," Cheema said.

#2: Afghan and NATO-led forces during night raid operations killed three Taliban insurgents and detained 14 others in Helmand province, some 555 km south of capital city of Kabul, spokesman for provincial administration said Tuesday. "Special operation units of Afghan army and international forces during two separate operations eliminated three militants and detained 14 others in Musa Qala district on Monday night," Daud Ahmadi told Xinhua.


DoD: Cpl. Jordan R. Stanton

DoD: Staff Sgt. Mark C. Wells

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