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, August 14, 2012

War News for Tuesday, August 14, 2012


Panetta: Pakistan military plans to open new front


Reported security incidents
#1: There is heavy fighting between Afghan and Pakistani forces in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar, which borders Pakistan, Afghan officials say. Fighting started at around 0400 (0030 GMT) following an attack on a border police commander's convoy, according to border police sources. According to Afghan officials in Kunar, one border policeman was killed and five were injured. The Afghan authorities have since sent hundreds of troops to the area. The attack was from the Pakistani side of the border in the area of Binshay, Dangam District, Afghan police say. Afghan officials in Kunar province have told the BBC that both sides have been using heavy and small weapons and a Dangam District tribal elder said the fighting was ongoing. The border district of Dangam lies 40km (25 miles) east of the provincial capital.

#2: Two Pakistani nationals were killed in a bomb attack by NATO helicopters near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Naushki district on Sunday night. According to Levies Force sources, two people identified as Abdul Rashid and Ghulam Farooq, both residents of Naushki, were on their way home when NATO helicopters fired shells on their vehicle, killing them on the spot. The incident occurred near the Chaghai district. However, a Levies official said, "The incident occurred in Safaar, inside the Afghan territory."

#3: At least 10 people were injured in a bomb blast which took place in the provincial capital on late Monday night. Police said that people were gathered and celebrating Independence Day outside a restaurant in Shahbaz Town when a bomb explosion occurred, injuring 10 persons seriously. Preliminary investigation of bomb disposal squad has suggested that it was hand grenade attack, a senior police officer Asad Nasar said. Some other police sources said that it might be improvised explosive devise explosion.


DoD: Capt. Matthew P. Manoukian

DoD: Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Jeschke

DoD: Staff Sgt. Sky R. Mote

DoD: Staff Sgt. Scott E. Dickinson

DoD: Cpl. Richard A. Rivera Jr.

DoD: Lance Cpl. Gregory T. Buckley


Posted by whisker at 3:01 AM

1 comments:

Cervantes said...

Important update: Multiple bomb attacks in Zaranj, Nimroz province kill at least 28 civilians, injure more than 50. The casualty toll is likely to rise, in fact higher death tolls have been reported elsewhere.

August 14, 2012 at 6:39 AM

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