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


Saturday, July 23, 2016

Update for Saturday, July 23, 2016

This is breaking news as I write at 9:30 ET, so we have to piece together the story from fragmentary accounts, but the death toll now stands at 61, with hundreds injured, in a bomb attack on a peaceful demonstration by members of the Hazara minority. The Taliban have disavowed the attack, and IS has claimed responsibility. The Hazara, who are Shiite muslims, were demanding that a proposed power line be routed through their territory, which centers on Bamiyan.

I'm sure we'll be seeing candlelight vigils in every U.S. city.

In Iraq meanwhile, bombs targeting civilians fleeing Shirqat kill 13 and injure 9. The grip of IS on the town has been weakening, giving civilians the opportunity to flee.

This is a (weird)  indication of how convoluted the situation is in Iraq. Iraqi forces are digging a miles-long trench north of Fallujah, apparently to prevent government-allied (presumably Shiite) militias from entering the city, following allegations of looting and abuse of civilians. There are fears that the project will hinder repopulation of the city. More detail on the difficult situation in Fallujah from AP.

The power struggle among Iraqi Shiite factions may be spilling into the streets with their respective militias.






Posted by Cervantes at 6:53 AM

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I for one appreciate your candor and information you bring on Afghanistan. My son is based in Bagram and sometimes, we in the U.S don't hear what's going on in Kabul. I'm HORRIFIED to see this latest episode on ISIS! Keep up the great work. And, I for ONE can let you know that the this street in America will hold a window candle vigil for Kabul's fallen. :/ Keep up the great work!

July 23, 2016 at 9:03 AM
Cervantes said...

Thanks. The victims of violence in Afghanistan deserve just as much of our attention and concern as people in the U.S. and Europe.

July 23, 2016 at 12:08 PM
Anony said...

My heart is breaking for the people of Kabul as they begin their Eid celebration, with the loss of so many young university and high school students. A peaceful demonstration to bring electricity to an impoverished province to end like this. Martin Luther King would be sad today.

July 25, 2016 at 9:56 AM

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