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, April 13, 2014

News of the day for Sunday, April 13, 2014

With 500,000 votes now counted out of more than 7 million cast, Abdullah Abdullah has a slight lead over Asaf Ghani. [However, as inveterate election watchers know, that means nothing at this point.] Abdullah is short of the 50% that would be needed to avoid a runoff in any case.

The Independent Electoral Commission ays it has received more complaints of fraud than in the 2009 presidential election, with a total of 870 complaints it classifies as "priority A," potentially affecting the results. it may need more time than anticipated to investigate them all.

Defense Ministry reports 7 militants killed and 18 detained; Interior Mnistr reports 13 additional arrests. As usual they don't appear to fight back: no reports of government or civilian casualties.

Several incidents are reported in Maidan Wardak. In at least one case, it seems, the Taliban did fight back. In an attack on a supply convoy, thee militants are killed along with a "shotgun" guard and a police officer. A driver and five police officers are injured.

If Ban on Money Laundering and Prevention from Financing Terrorism Law is not approved within next three months, all accounts of Afghanistan banks will be closed with the international banks and transactions will stop according to officials.The necessary legislation has been delayed in bickering between the central bank and Parliament.






Posted by Cervantes at 5:09 AM

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