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, May 22, 2013

War News for Wednesday, May 22, 2013


Afghan interpreter’s family killed by Taliban near Kandahar

Debate Aside, Number of Drone Strikes Drops Sharply


Reported security incidents
#1: Four militants have been killed and seven others detained in joint operations carried out by Afghan forces and the NATO-led coalition troops within the last 48 hours in different parts of Afghanistan. The operations took place in Helmand, Paktia and Wardak provinces.

#2: A relatively heavy explosion rocked Ghazni city in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday morning. Afghan Deputy provincial governor Mohammad Ali Ahmadi confirming the report said the incident took place in a bus station, according to Afghan (Khaama Press). Officials in Ghazni state hospital said at least six people killed or injured following the blast have been taken to the hospital and the health condition of a number of individuals injured are critical. According to reports the incident took place after a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in the bus stop, however local officials are saying it is yet not clear if it was a suicide attack.

#3: A security personnel was killed and five others injured in a blast in Dargai area of North Waziristan Agency on Tuesday. According to sources, some unidentified miscreants planted an explosive device near an electricity pole, which exploded when a team of experts was testing the pylon in the Sawa area of Dargai. As a result, at least six security personnel were injured, while the team of experts remained unhurt. The injured were shifted to a local hospital, where one of them succumbed to his injuries. The pylon was also damaged in the blast.

#4: Local authorities in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan said one civilian was killed and three others were injured following an explosion in Nad-e-Ali district on Wednesday morning. Provincial governor spokesman Omar Zwak said the incident took place after an explosive device went off near a private hospital.

#5: In the meantime three Afghan civilians were killed and two others were injured following a roadside bomb explosion in Pusht-e-Rod ditrict of western Farah province. Farah governor spokesman Abdul Rahman zhwandai confirming the report said the incident took place late Tuesday afternoon after a civilian vehicle struck with a roadside bomb.

Posted by whisker at 4:32 AM

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