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


Monday, September 1, 2014

War News for Monday, September 1, 2014


Reported security incidents
#1: Eight armed insurgents including two commanders of them were killed in drone attack of foreign troops in Kunar province. The attack took place in Peshigul village, Asadabad capital of that province. General Abdul Habib Syeedkhail police chief of Kunar said BNA, Qari Malang and Mawlawi Hakim two Taliban commanders with their six men lost their lives in the attack.

#2: Four armed Taliban were killed in explosion of their own mine in Jouzjan province yesterday.

#3: At least 3 policemen were killed following an insider attack in central Uruzgan province of Afghanistan late Sunday. Provincial governor spokesman, Dost Mohammad Nayab, has said the incident took place on Sunday night in Shahid Asas district. Nayab further added that the attack was carried out by four policemen who opened fire on their three comrades in a check post in Kekhi area.

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