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, February 16, 2014

News of the Day for Sunday, February 16, 2014

IED explosion kills a municipal worker in Kandahar city.

Afghan National Directorate of Intelligence says it seized a large weapons cache in Kapisa province, including rockets, RPGs, and an anti-aircraft weapon, among others.

The Interior Ministry goes back to the copying machine and says the usual 28 militants were killed in the past 24 hours. Also as usual, no mention of government or civilian casualties. Believe what you will.

India says it will supply Afghanistan with helicopters, although the announcement does not specify the number or type. (Out of curiosity,  I determined that India manufactures some transport helicopters, mostly in collaboration with France. Its armed military helicopters are Russian, actually Soviet era. The announcement implies these will be non-lethal equipment.)

Al Jazeera reports on a recent spate of attacks on candidates and campaign workers. These incidents, mostly in Herat, are unsolved.

NYT'S Azam Ahmed reports on the battle for control of Highway 1, which links Kabul with other major cities. This is seen as a key test for the Afghan army.

Update:  AP reports a NATO service member killed by an IED on Saturday. This has not been widely reported and is not on the ISAF web site as of now. No further information as of noon ET.



Posted by Cervantes at 4:57 AM

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