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, October 4, 2012

War News for Thursday, October 04, 2012

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from a non-combat related injury blast in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, October 4th.


Reported security incidents
#1: Up to 30 Taliban militants, including five local leaders, have been killed in a six-day operation in the eastern Afghan province of Wardak, the NATO-led coalition forces confirmed on Thursday. "Dozens of Afghan soldiers and police, supported by coalition special operations forces, concluded a six-day operation against insurgent networks in the Chak district, Wardak province yesterday, " the coalition or International Security Assistance Force said in a press release issued here. "One Afghan soldier was killed during the operation and one civilian was injured by insurgent small-arms fire. Members of the combined force provided immediate assistance and transported the victim to a medical facility for further treatment," the press release said.

#2: According to local authorities in eastern Nuristan province of Afghanistan, more than 400 Taliban militants are preparing to carry out a deadly attack against the Afghan security forces in Kamdish district in this province.


DoD: Sgt. 1st Class Aaron A. Henderson

DoD: Sgt. Thomas J. Butler IV

DoD: Sgt. Jeremy F. Hardison

DoD: Sgt. Donna R. Johnson

Posted by whisker at 3:09 AM

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