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


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

War News for Wednesday, October 03, 2012



Reported security incidents
#1: A commander was among four insurgents killed in an airstrike by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the eastern province of Laghman, officials said on Wednesday. The Taliban commander, Roohullah -- alias Kawoon -- and his associates were killed in the overnight raid in the Shamtak area of Alishang district, the governor’s spokesman, Sarhadi Zwak, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

#2: A man was killed while trying to plant a bomb in an oil tin in Badabar on Tuesday, police said. The explosion occurred in Badabar graveyard where the suspected terrorist tried to plant an improvised explosive device (IED) in an oil tin, allegedly for subversive activities. As a result of the blast, the man was killed on the spot. Police rushed to the area and defused another bomb in the vicinity and started investigation. The identity of the victim could not be ascertained.

#3: Four policemen including an ASI were injured in a militant attack on a security checkpost and police station in Peshawar’s neighbouring Matni area whereas four militants were killed in retaliatory action by security forces , FP News desk reported. Militants carried out a heavy assault on a police station and a security checkpost situated in Peshawar’s neighbouring Matni area injuring four policemen. An assistant sub inspector of the police was also among those injured in the attack. An armoured personnel carrier (APC) of the secuity forces was also damaged in the attack.

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