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, November 10, 2013

News of the Day for Sunday, November 10, 2013

Pentagon report to Congress suggests a stalemate in the Afghanistan conflict. On the one hand, the rate of insurgent attacks has declined overall, and population centers are more secure. On the other hand, Afghan government forces are suffering more casualties, and the Taliban has consolidated its control of some rural areas.

A local official says that 45 militants have laid down arms in Baghlan province and "resumed normal life." The government claims that a total of 4,000 militants have given up armed struggle in the past year, a number which the Taliban disputes.

National Directorate of Security claims arrest of a Taliban commander in Kandahar province. He is said to have led a cell of 12 men.

NDS also claims arrest of 4 mine planters in Nangarhar.

Fighting in Helmand leaves seven militants and three police dead. A separate clash in the province is said to have resulted in death of four Taliban and one Afghan soldier, with twelve Taliban and eight government forces injured.

The 1.6 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan do not want to return, given the insecurity and severe poverty of Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly extended the deadline for their repatriation, which is now December, 2015.


Posted by Cervantes at 4:56 AM

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