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


Tuesday, September 2, 2014

War News for Tuesday, September 2, 2014


Afghan Army Killings Threaten U.S. Aid

As The U.S. Draws Down, Afghan Fighting Is Heating Up

Talks on Afghan unity government collapse


Reported security incidents
#1: A suicide car bombing killed three policemen in the eastern Nangarhar province, said Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, the spokesman for the provincial governor. The bomber detonated his explosives-laden vehicle among a group of Afghan security forces in Ghani Khil district on Tuesday morning, killing the three policemen. The explosion also wounded two people, a civilian and a local policeman, the spokesman added.

#2: In the western Herat province, the Taliban killed four Afghan soldiers on Monday night in the Chishti Sharif district, a military spokesman said. The spokesman, Najibullha Najibi, says the Taliban attacked an army post, setting off clashes that also left 10 Taliban fighters dead..

#3: Two people, including a personal of Khasadar Force and a civilian, were killed and three other Khasadars sustained injuries when unknown militants attacked a Khasadar party at the main Jamrud Bazaar, official sources informed on Monday. The official of local political administration confirmed the incident and said that Khasadars were on their routine duty when unknown armed persons attacked them and as a result two persons, including a personal of Khasadar Force and a civilian, were killed and three other Khasadar personnel received bullet injuries. The militants successfully managed escape after committing the crime. 

#4: A bomb blast occurred in Haji Ayoob region of Mazar-e-Sharif at 4:00 pm today.
It is said that a bomb was placed in a bicycle. Still not clear who is the target of the bomb. Several security sources of Mazar-e-Sharif said BNA that two people were killed and another wounded in the blast.


#5: 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.

#6: At least four Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were martyred following roadside bomb explosion in the past 24 hours.

#7: Afghan national security forces repelled another large scale Taliban attack in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan. The provincial government media office said Tuesday, the massive offensive by Taliban militant was launched on Sunday in Mosa Qala district.

#8: At least 25 Taliban militants were killed and five others were injured following clearing operations conducted by Afghan national security forces.

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