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


Thursday, July 26, 2012

War News for Thursday, July 26, 2012

The DoD is reporting the death of a U.S. Marine. Sgt. Justin M. Hansen died during combat operations in Badghis province on Tuesday, July 24th. He was assigned to USFOR-A. News reports that he died from small arms fire/gun shot wounds.


Reported security incidents
#1: A bomb tore through a busy market in Pakistan's tribal belt on Thursday, killing at least five people and wounding 11 others near the Afghan border, officials said. The device exploded in Pasht bazaar of Salarzai in Bajaur district.

#2: As many as 20 to 30 Afghan National Army personnel, intruding into the Kurram Agency, attacked Nawazish checkpost in Dalasa area on Wednesday morning, leaving two security forces personnel injured. According to military officials, the attack by the Afghan National Army was repulsed with heavy artillery fire by the security forces, which forced the Afghan army personnel to retreat. The official sources identified the two injured soldiers as Sohail and Haider. Later on, Political Administration officials also arrived at the spot and initiated investigation. "The security forces responded to the attack with full force and used helicopters for shelling on the militants. At least 10 militants were killed in the response," a security official said. Reports said that the Afghan National Army, a few days earlier, had fired missile across the border in which two tribesmen had died.

#3: Afghan national police units during series of operations across the country have killed seven anti- government militants and detained 37 others over the past 24 hours, Interior Ministry said on Thursday. "During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police backed by the National Army and the Coalition Forces launched six joint operations in Kabul, Baghlan, Kunduz, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Paktika provinces during which seven armed insurgents have been killed and 10 others arrested," a statement released by the Interior Ministry here said. The Interior Ministry in another statement stated that Special Units of National Police and Coalition Forces launched five joint cleanup operations in Kandahar, Khost and Balkh provinces on Wednesday night as a result 27 armed insurgents were arrested. However, both the statements did not say if there were any casualties on the security forces.

#4: According to local authorities in Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan, heavy clashes took place between Afghan security forces, NATO troops and armed militants in Jalrez district. A local security official speaking on the condition of anonymity said the incident took place around 11:00 am local time after an Afghan national army vehicle struck a roadside bomb injuring two Afghan soldiers and one driver. The source further added a convoy of the Afghan national army and NATO troops were attacked by militants while they were on their way from Daimerdad district to Maidan Shahr city. In the meantime provincial governor spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said the cleaning operation is still going on in Mullah Khel area.


News: Civ. Benjamin Monsivais

News: Civ. Joseph Perez

DoD: Pfc. Adam C. Ross

DoD: Spc. Justin L. Horsley

DoD: Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar

DoD: Sgt. Justin M. Hansen

2 comments:

Dancewater said...

Iraq: Deadliest attacks in 2012

3 July: At least 40 killed and many more wounded in series of attacks across Iraq
13 June: Wave of bombings kills 84 and injures nearly 300 in deadliest day since US troops withdrew last December
4 June: More than 20 people killed in bomb attack in Baghdad
20 March: At least 45 people die in series of co-ordinated attacks including car bombs in Kerbala city that kill at least 13
23 Feb: At least 55 people killed and hundreds injured in wave of bombings and shootings across the country
27 Jan: A suicide car bomb kills at least 32 and injures about 60 in predominantly Shia Muslim district of Baghdad

+++++++++++

Does not include more recent attacks.

Anonymous said...

My daughter husband David Figueroa was in this group when attacked he was only injured may we pray for them all.