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, May 1, 2014

War News for Thursday, May 01, 2014


Heroin production hits record levels in Afghanistan - study

Afghan conflicts monthly casualties decline in April


Reported security incidents
#1: At least six militants along with an Afghan policeman were killed following clashes in western Farah province of Afghanistan. According to local government officials, the incident took place late Wednesday night in Khak-e-Safa district.


DoD: Pfc. Christian J. Chandler

DoD: Sgt. Shawn M. Farrell II

Posted by whisker at 4:12 AM

2 comments:

Cervantes said...

Lest we forget, it's Mission Accomplished Day!

May 1, 2014 at 7:48 AM
Dancewater said...

and it appears that the CIA was very successful at growing/promoting drugs in Afghanistan.

May 3, 2014 at 12:45 PM

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