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


Sunday, June 9, 2013

News of the Day for Sunday, June 9, 2013

President Karzai demands that British forces hand over all Afghan prisoners they hold by June 22. (UK forces hold prisoners in Helmand province.) However, legal challenges in British court to the transfer, based on allegations of mistreatment in Afghan prisons, will cause long delays. This sets the stage for months of confrontation between the Afghan and British governments.

Meanwhile, Karzai has left for Qatar with a high-level delegation to attend the 10th annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum. While he is there, he is expected to talk with Qatari officials about the prospect of opening negotiations with the Taliban through their office in Doha.

Germany opens a consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif. Germany has troops in the relatively peaceful northern part of the country and plans to leave some 600 to 800 there after 2014.

Pakistan hosts a trilateral meeting in Lahore with U.S. and Afghan top military leadership to discuss border security. No word on any outcome from the meeting, or even what specifically they talked about.

Anna Badkhen discusses the continuing oppression of Afghan women  and the failure of Western humanitarian aid and political engagement to make a meaningful difference.




Posted by Cervantes at 5:05 AM

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