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, August 17, 2012

War News for Friday, August 17, 2012

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from an IED blast in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, August 16th.
 
NATO is reporting the deaths four ISAF and three USFOR-A soldiers in a helicopter crash in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, August 16th. Four Afghani's also died.
 
NATO is reporting the deaths of two USFOR-A soldiers from small arms fire when an Afghan police officer attacked the soldiers in Farah province, Afghanistan on Friday, August 17th.


Family: Mich. Navy Seal Killed In Afghanistan Helicopter Crash

Schofield Black Hawk crashes in Afghanistan

Cherryville soldier, 21, dies of combat wounds

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/08/17/3459646/cherryville-soldier-18-dies-of.html#storylink=cpy


Reported security incidents
#1:  At least 13 people were injured when a blast ripped through a market area in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Kurram Agency on Friday afternoon, reported local Urdu TV channel Ary.

#2: International Security Assistance Force following a statement on Thursday announced, a senior Islamic Movemement Uzbekistan leader was killed following an airstrike in this province. The source further added, in Ishkamish district, Takhar province on Wednesday, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to find Mullah Anwar, a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader.

#3: According to local authorities in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan, at least 7 Afghan national army soldiers were killed following a roadside bomb explosion in this province. Gen. Janullah Safi commander 3 regiment in 209 Shaheen Afghan national army commandment confirming the report said the incident took place early Thursday around 2 am local time after a vehicle of the Afghan army soldiers struck with a mine, killing 7 Afghan army service members.


DoD: Pfc. Andrew J. Keller

Posted by whisker at 4:29 AM

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