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


Saturday, August 23, 2014

War News for Saturday, August 23, 2014


Reported security incidents
#1: A paramilitary soldier was killed in an exchange of fire with militants who entered Pakistani territory from Afghanistan on Friday, the military said. The incident happened in Muslam Bagh sector in southwestern Baluchistan province near the Afghan border. “About 70 to 80 terrorists intruded from (the) Afghanistan side into Pakistani territory,” the military said in a statement.

#2: Twelve alleged militants were killed in an encounter with Frontier Corps Balochistan in Dasht area of Turbat district, on Friday. A press release issued by FC headquarters, here on Friday night said that following intelligence information, FC teams launched search operation against militants in Dasht area of Kech Turbat where an exchange of fire took place between the FC men and the militants, resulting in killing of 12 armed militants.

#3: Five militants were killed and five others injured in clashes with the Aman Lashkar that took place in Orakzai Agency, Geo News reported on Saturday. According to the sources, the militants ambushed the Aman Lashkar personnel when they approached the mountains in the border area of Sipah in Orakzai Agency on a tip-off regarding the presence of terrorists.

#4: Four civilians were killed and another wounded in drone attack of coalition forces in Logar province yesterday. Abdullah Hashimi one of the residents of the area said BNA, coalition forces bombardment three rounds on Padkhwab Shana region, Pul-e-Alam city, in which three civilians were martyred and another wounded. Colonel Abdul Hakim Ishaqzai police chief of Logar confirmed killing of civilians in the incident.

#5: Two officials of Ainak Copper Mine were martyred in explosion of a roadside mine in Logar province yesterday. Spokesman of Logar security directorate said BNA, two security officials of Ainak Copper Mine were martyred while their vehicle hit a roadside mine in Mohammadagha district.

#6: Thirty-five armed insurgents were killed in a series of clearing operations conducted by security troops in different provinces of the country. According to interior ministry press office to BNA, the security forces carried out several operations in Kunar, Zabul, Logar, Ghazni, Paktika and Ghoor provinces, in which 35 armed insurgents were killed, 24 wounded and another was arrested.

#7: At least five Afghan national army soldiers were martyred following improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in various provinces of the country. Defense ministry spokesman, Gen. Zahir Azimi, said the Afghan army soldiers were martyred in the past 48 hours following IED attacks.

#8: The Pakistani security forces launched attack in Maruf district of southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan on Friday. According to local government officials, the artillery shelling by Pakistani military lasted almost three hours, leaving a number of civilians killed or injured.

#9: At least five policemen were killed following an insider attack in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan. According to local government officials, the incident took place late Thursday night in Greshk district after a policeman poisoned his five comrades and later shot them dead.

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