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, November 9, 2013

War News for Saturday, November 09, 2013


Soldier Liam Culverhouse wounded in Afghanistan admits killing his toddler daughter

Retired Abita Springs Army sergeant wounded in Afghanistan to march in NYC Veterans Day parade

Militant's Killing Threatens NATO Supply Route

British Marine guilty of Afghan captive's murder faces life in jail

Two admirals face probe in Navy bribery scheme -- Seems to only be the tip on the iceberg here, but it’s a good start. – whisker


Reported security incidents
#1: Gunmen opened fire Saturday on two trucks carrying Nato vehicles in troubled northwestern Khyber tribal agency near the Afghan border, wounding two drivers.

#2: According to reports, Taliban militants have kidnapped four Afghan intelligence operatives in eastern Ghazni province of Afghanistan. The intelligence operatives were reportedly kidnapped in Moqor district and the footage of the kidnapped operatives has been broadcasted by Taliban group.

Posted by whisker at 5:41 AM

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