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, July 31, 2012

War News for Tuesday, July 31, 2012

French forces withdraw from Afghan district

Militant Group Poses Risk to U.S.-Pakistan Relations


Reported security incidents
#1: At least one civilian has been killed and four others have been wounded in a mine explosion in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman, Press TV reports. Sarhadi Zwak, a Laghman provincial spokesman, said the incident took place on Tuesday when a 13-year-old boy hammered an unexploded wartime mine with a stone in a house in the city of Mehter Lam. Zwak said the boy was killed and four other members of his family were wounded and taken to a local hospital.

#2: A district chief was injured and three police were killed after an attack in Hisarak district of eastern Ningarhar province yesterday, an official said Monday. Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, spokesman for Ningarhar governor, told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that Taliban attacked the motorcade of Abdul Khaliq Maroof, administrator of Hisarak district, in Jokan area yesterday. He said three police were killed while the district chief and two police were wounded in the attack, adding the attackers also suffered casualties in the ensuing clash but they had no accurate information.

#3: Meanwhile, a helicopter of International Security Force (ISAF) crashed in Mizana district of Zabul province Saturday but no one on board was injured, the military said Monday.

#4: According to local authorities in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan at least 6 militants including their commander was killed following clashes with the Afghan security forces in Asmar and Sarkano districts. A local Afghan national army official Gen. Shirin Agha confirming the report said at least 4 militants including their commander Hazrat Ali were killed in Asmar district and another Pakistani militant from Waziristan was killed in Sarkano district.

#5: In a separate incident at least 2 suspected militants were killed while they were planting roadside bombs at Dasht-e-Archi district in northern Kunduz province. District chief for Dasht-e-Archi Sheikh Sadruddin said the incident took place on Monday night and at least two other suspected militants were also injured following the incident.

DoD: Sgt. 1st Class Bobby L. Estle

DoD: Pfc. Jose Oscar Belmontes

DoD: Spc. Benjamin C. Pleitez

DoD: 1st Lt. Sean R. Jacobs

DoD: Sgt. John E. Hansen

DoD: Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan W. Gifford

DoD: Gunnery Sgt. Daniel J. Price

Posted by whisker at 3:59 AM

4 comments:

Dancewater said...

The F'ing Criminals are still being protected

July 31, 2012 at 7:15 PM
Dancewater said...

Obama administration is supporting Syria's rebels to over throw Assad.

This is who they are really supporting.

July 31, 2012 at 8:14 PM
Dancewater said...

Too bad there is no Olympic event for continuing war and terrorism. The US would win gold every time.

July 31, 2012 at 8:15 PM
RobL said...

Test comment for blogger

August 6, 2012 at 12:56 PM

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