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, October 16, 2014

War News for Thursday, October 16, 2014


Son of Jalaluddin Haqqani captured in Afghanistan

Car Bomb Kills 8 Afghans From Unit Linked to C.I.A.


Reported security incidents
#1: Fresh airstrikes by Pakistan Military jets killed at least 21 terrorists in the restive tribal area of Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency,  according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to details, jets pounded militant hideouts in Akakhel and Sipah area of Tirah Valley on Thursday, killing at least 21 militants.

#2: Unknown miscreants blasted a gas pipeline with explosives suspending supply to plant here on Wednesday. Police said that unknown miscreants had planted explosive material with 8 inch diameter gas pipeline in Dera Bugti area which blasted with a big bang. As a result of blast a portion of gas pipeline was destroyed due to which supply of gas from well No. 17 to plant was suspended.

#3: Two soldiers were today injured when suspected militants triggered an IED blast in north Kashmir's Baramulla district (India) to target an army convoy. The ultras detonated the IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in the Rafiabad area of Baramulla at around 11.45 AM as an army convoy was passing through the area, police said.

#5: Five insurgents were killed in NATO aircraft’s attack in Zormat district, Paktia province last night.

#6: An individual in Afghan army uniform opened fire on coalition security forces early Thursday morning, defense officials said. Gen. Zahir Azimi, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD), said the incident took place around 6:50 am local time. He did not disclose further information regarding the exact location of the incident, but confirmed that foreign forces did not suffer any casualties.

#7: At least 25 Taliban militants were killed and 10 others were injured following joint military operations by Afghan national security forces in the past.

#8: Drivers and passengers say the Taliban have blown up a big bridge on the Kabul-Kandahar highway. A resident of Qalat city, the capital of Zabul province, Nasim Gul, said he observed the bridge had been comprehensively destroyed. According to reports the bridge on the road had been blown up when a heavy remote controlled bomb targeted a Police patrol near the bridge. The incident took place in Kakarno Chena area of Qalat city.

Posted by whisker at 2:21 AM

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