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, February 13, 2014

War News for Thursday, February 13, 2014

NATO is reporting the deaths of two ISAF soldiers from an apparent insider attack from two ANA soldiers in an undisclosed location in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, February 12th. News reports the incident was at a base in eastern Afghanistan after a dispute leaving both ANA soldiers dead and four additional ISAF soldiers wounded.


'Foreign intelligence services' disrupt Taliban talks: Afghan FM

Afghanistan releases 65 prisoners despite strong U.S. objections

Escaped Inmates From Iraq Fuel Syrian Insurgency


Reported security incidents
A powerful car bomb exploded near a police bus in Pakistan's commercial city of Karachi, killing at least 11 policemen and injuring many more, Al Jazeera reports, citing agencies. The explosion occurred early on Thursday morning as more than 50 officers were getting on the bus near the national highway in Karachi. An explosive-laden car hit the police bus transporting officials for security duty, reported AFP, quoting Muhammad Iqbal, a senior police official. He added that around 40 other policemen were in hospital after an attack outside a police training center. 10 are in critical condition.
 #2: At least 52 Taliban militants were killed in following military operations by Afghan national security forces.

#3: A teenager suicide bomber was shot dead by Afghan police forces in eastern Khost province of Afghanistan, local officials said. The officials further added that the incident took place in Mosa Khel district of Khost province on Wednesday evening.

Posted by whisker at 4:27 AM

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