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, June 26, 2014

News of the Day for Thursday, June 26, 2014

Whisker is traveling today.

A NATO service member, of unspecified nationality, is killed in action in southern Afghanistan.

Two civilians and a policeman injured by bomb in Kandahar province.

Drone crashes in Bamyan province, nationality unspecified but presumably U.S.

Afghan troops launch counteroffensive against Taliban assault in Sangin, Helmand province. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson says 150 Taliban killed, while local officials say 20 police, 13 soldiers, and more than 50 civilians dead. Although Interior Ministry says Afghan forces have not requested NATO support, in fact NATO says it has provided close air support, reconnaissance, and intelligence. (Note: Interior Ministry is a notoriously unreliable source of information.)

Abdullah releases and audiotape purporting to be the Maidan Wardak governor convincing an army officer not to prevent ballot stuffing. Video released by Abdullah purports to show ballot stuffing.

A spokesperson for the very same governor of Maidan Wardak says 8 Taliban killed including a commander and 2 Pakistani nationals in an operation last night.

U.S. says Lakshar-e-Taiba responsible for May 23 attack on Indian consulate in Herat. The organization is based in Pakistan.




while local officials in Helmand said 20 police and 13 soldiers had died, as well as more than 50 civilians - See more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/afghan-forces-fight-back-against-taliban-onslaught/article1-1233976.aspx#sthash.pgPN6rlR.dpuf

Posted by Cervantes at 10:01 AM

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)