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


Sunday, June 12, 2016

Update for Sunday, June 12, 2016


Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki admits that fundraising for IS takes place in Saudi Arabia. This is obviously not a revelation, but it does seem to be the first time the kingdom has acknowledged it.

Iraqi forces continue their slow advance into Fallujah in the face of extensive booby traps and tunnel networks. U.S. air support is essential to progress.

The Iraqi army claims to have secured a safe exit route from Fallujah but of course people have to get to it in the first place.

Iraqi forces are also gaining ground south of Mosul. The commander of the operation says he lacks tanks and enough forces to hold ground once it is gained. However, Iraq has now deployed an armored division with bridges to cross the Tigris at Qayara. Control of that town would sever communication between Mosul and Hawija, from which IS has harassed oil facilities in the Kirkuk area. (See this analysis from Reuters in March.)

More on the battle south of Mosul here.

The town of Baiji, recaptured from IS in October, is completely destroyed and will probably never be rebuilt. The oil refinery is also destroyed and the government lacks the means to rebuild it also.

In Afghanistan, president Obama has approved a more active role for U.S. forces in combat situations. We will have to see exactly what this means.


Posted by Cervantes at 5:32 AM

1 comments:

Anonymous said...


Are you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off your bills? Do you want to be financially stable? All you have to do is to contact us for more information on how to get started and get the loan you desire. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Note-that repayment time frame is negotiable and at interest rate of 3% just email us creditloan11@gmail.com

March 23, 2017 at 10:22 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)