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


Saturday, August 10, 2013

War News for Saturday, August 10, 2013


100 teachers and education officials killed in Afghanistan: MOE


Reported security incidents
#1: Three Chinese citizens were killed and another two remained missing Thursday in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, said Chinese Embassy here Friday. The fatal crime occurred in an apartment building in Kabul and was believed to target on Chinese citizens, the embassy said in a statement.

#2: At least two armed men were killed in retaliatory fire by Frontier Corps (FC) after the militants attacked the checkpost in district Mastung. According to FC spokesman, the two attackers were killed in retaliatory fire by the FC when armed men attacked the checkpost in Ispalangi areas.

#3: At least six militants have been killed in an exchange of firing during search operation by Balochistan Levies and security forces in Machh area of Bolan district.

#4: At least five members of a family were killed following a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in western Farah province of Afghanistan. A spokesman for the provincial security commandment, Ahmad Fawad Askari confirming the report said the incident took place after a corolla vehicle struck with the roadside bomb.

Posted by whisker at 5:23 AM

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