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, February 23, 2017

Update for Thursday, February 23, 2017

Iraqi forces have captured the Mosul airport, although some sources are suggesting that parts of the complex are not yet under government control. KUNA says that half the airport has been captured, along with portions of a nearby military base. (Note that the government commonly makes premature claims of complete control of territory. Many reports are saying the government has control of the entire airport but as of now I am skeptical. -- C)

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dunford says the military is preparing to present the president with a plan to defeat IS of "global scope". No specifics are available as of now.

The Pentagon acknowledges that U.S. troops have come under fire in the battle for Mosul and that some have been wounded and evacuated, but declines to say how many. (This has gotten so little publicity in the U.S. that I had to track it down from RT, which I normally stay away from. -- C)

UNHCR reports on progress toward accommodating civilians displaced from the Mosul battle. They are still well short of anticipated need, even as conditions in IS held territory grow increasingly desperate.

There are shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine. Half of all food shops have closed and most people can only access untreated water. Food prices are rocketing and there are reports of families burning furniture, clothing and plastic to stay warm. Conditions will deteriorate if civilians are not able to flee the fighting.

Posted by Cervantes at 11:03 AM

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