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


Friday, November 15, 2013

War News for Friday, November 15, 2013


Reported security incidents
#1: A government official in Afghanistan says three bombs have exploded in rapid succession in southern Helmand province, injuring five people. Omar Zawaq, spokesman for Helmand’s governor, says the remote-controlled bombs exploded Thursday near a bus station in the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah.
 
#2: At least 11 Taliban militants including a senior Taliban leader were killed during military operations in central Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan. The provincial government media office following a statement also confirmed the report and said clashes between Afghan security forces and Taliban militants took place after Afghan security forces launched clearance operations in Jaghato, Nerkh, Jalriz and Syedabad districts. Khogyani said at least two civilians were killed along with an Afghan national army soldier, and three civilians were injured during the clashes.

Posted by whisker at 4:18 AM

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