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


Thursday, January 9, 2014

War News for Thursday, January 09, 2014


Suicide bomber kills 13 Iraqi army recruits in Baghdad - police

Grim Sequel to Iraq’s War


Reported security incidents
#1: At least 10 militants and three soldiers were killed in a clash in North Waziristan late Wednesday, the military said. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the incident took place in South Waziristan tribal district Ladha along the Afghan border when a group of militants attacked a security forces check post.

#2: At least nine people, including three children, have been killed in a blast at a house in Pakistan's north-western Khyber tribal area, reports say. It took place in an arms dump at the home of a tribal leader in the Tirah Valley, which has seen clashes between militant groups and the military.

#3: According to local authorities in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, an Afghan child was killed in coalition security forces fire on Thursday. Provincial governor spokesman, Omar Zwak confirming the report, said coalition forces opened fire on an Afghan child in Greshk district on Thursday morning.

Posted by whisker at 4:00 AM

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