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 9, 2014

War News for Saturday, August 9, 2014


Reported security incidents
#1: AT least nine army officers have been killed in separate roadside bombings in Afghanistan. DEFENCE ministry officials say the officers were killed during combat operations while trying to rid the area of insurgents.

#2: Separately, three army officers and three civilians were injured by a bomb planted along a footpath in Kabul Saturday morning, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.

#3: At least four people were killed and two others injured after unidentified militants from Afghanistan stormed the house of an anti-Taliban militia leader in Upper Dir on Friday night.

#4: About 59 militants have been killed in Afghan army operations across the country over the last two days, said the Defense Ministry on Saturday morning. The statement also confirmed that nine army soldiers were killed in roadside bombings over the same period.

#5: 133 rockets shells fired by Pakistani forces on Dangam district, Kunar province last night. As a result of the rocket shells a civilian was martyred and a residential house has been destroyed.

#6: District intelligence chief for Sherin Tagab was killed following an ambush by Taliban militants in northern Faryab province of Afghanistan. According to local government officials, the incident took place on Saturday in Khawajah Sabz Posh district while the district chief was on his way to Sherin Tagab district. The district administrative chief, Loqman Gaharyak, said the driver of Sherin Tagab district intelligence chief was also killed following the ambush.

#7: A heavy explosion was heard in capital Kabul on Saturday afternoon, leaving at least one person dead and another one injured. The official further added that the blast took place after a magnetic bomb planted in a police vehicle went off. Stanikzai further added that the target of the blast was apparently a vehicle of Wardak provincial council member.

#8: A rocket landed within the vicinity of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) facility near the Kabul International Airport late Friday night. The alliance following an online statement statement said, “We can confirm that one rocket impacted NKAIA last night, resulting in minor damage.”

Posted by whisker at 4:29 AM

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