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


Friday, December 5, 2014

War News for Friday, December 5, 2014


Reported security incidents
#1: Three persons, including a woman and a girl, were killed in a roadside blast in Nawagai tehsil of Bajaur Agency on Thursday, official sources said. They said unidentified militants had planted the explosives on a roadside in Karkanai area in Nawagai tehsil that went off around 11:30 am

#2: A suicide attacker who wanted to attack on police forces in Shindand district, killed by police forces. According to security forces, the attacker was resident of Balabalok district, Farah province, wanted to attack on police security post in Shozra region, killed by police forces.

#3: A policeman lost his life in explosion of a mine in Urozgan province late yesterday night. The incident occurred in Chakajou region, Khas district, Urozgan province while police forces were patrolling in the area.


DoD: Staff Sgt. Matthew R. Ammerman

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