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, October 13, 2013

News of the Day for Sunday, October 13, 2013

Man wearing an Afghan army uniform shoots at U.S. troops in Sharana, Paktika province, hitting two and apparently killing at least one, although as of now there is no official announcement.

Taliban kill two children, 8 and 10 years old, in Kunar, accusing them of "espionage."

Rocket attack on a market in Nuristan kills 7, injures 10.

Two civilians are injured by an explosion in Helmand province.

President Karzai responds to claims by Russian foreign minister Lavrov that Syrian militants are being trained in Afghanistan. Specifically, Lavrov says that members of the Al-Nusra front are being trained in the use of chemical weapons in areas of Afghanistan not controlled by the government. Karzai says he will investigate.

Karzai and U.S. Secretary of State agree on most elements of a security agreement, but Karzai does not accept a U.S. demand that it retain legal jurisdiction of its troops that remain post-2014. Karzai says that a Loya Jirga (council of elders) must approve it. This would be a deal-breaker for the U.S. if the council rejects the provision.


Posted by Cervantes at 4:53 AM

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