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, November 30, 2012

War News for Friday, November30, 2012


Senate backs accelerated withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan

US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan to retire


Reported security incidents
#1: A bomb (Thursday) blast killed two civilians at a park in Khost, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of the capital, Kabul, said Jabar Nahimi, governor of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan. Eight others were wounded in the blast, including four women and a child, he said.

#2: Three persons were injured and a security forces vehicle damaged in twin blasts in different localities of Khyber Agency on Friday. According to details, in Sheikhwal area of Landikotal, unknown miscreants targeted a vehicle of Khasadar Force. As a result of blast, the vehicle was damaged partially but no human loss was reported. The second blast took place at Pak-Afghan Highway where a planted bomb exploded with big bang. Three passersby were injured in the blast.

#3: At least three people were killed and four others injured in a U.S. drone strike launched in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of South Waziristan on Thursday afternoon, reported local media Geo. According to the report, U.S. unmanned aircraft fired two missiles at a vehicle suspected of carrying militants in the Sheen Warsak area of Wana, capital town of South Waziristan which borders Afghanistan. One local TV channel said that the target was a suspected militant house instead of a vehicle.

Posted by whisker at 3:30 AM

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