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, January 5, 2016

Update for Tuesday, January 5, 2016

U.S. military confirms one service member killed, 2 injured, in operation in Marja, Helmand. They were apparently special forces. Early reports on this were somewhat confused, so I held off posting until now. It also appears that a medevac helicopter sent to the scene was unable to take off, probably due to a mechanical problem, but it does not appear that U.S. forces remain in danger.

Khaama reports there were also Afghan casualties but has no specifics.

A recent string of bombings in Kabul apparently continues but as of 12:30 ET details on the latest incident are not yet available.

An attack Monday in the capital killed at least 2 people and injured 36 although witnesses report seeing 6 bodies at the scene.

I will have updates on these incidents when they are available.

In Iraq, the U.S. says IS territory has been reduced by 30%, including 40% of its territory in Iraq.

However, tough fighting continues with peshmerga engaged in a battle in Nineveh province and IS attacking Haditha and Bruwana in Anbar. Coalition aircraft are attacking IS forces in that area. Peshmerga also repel an attack north of Mosul, claiming to kill 18 attackers, with no word on Kurdish casualties.

In apparent retaliation against Sunnis for the execution of Nimr al-Nimr by the Saudi Kingdom, three mosques are attacked in Babylon province.


Posted by Cervantes at 9:38 AM

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