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, September 28, 2013

War News for Saturday, September 28, 2013


Reported security incidents
#1: Shafiqullah Nang, who is spokesman for the eastern province of Ghazni, said three civilians died Saturday when their minivan was struck by a roadside bomb as they were driving from Dayak district to Ghazni city. He says that another eight people were wounded, including two women and two children.

#2: In a second explosion, Fared Ayal, a spokesman for the police chief of southern Uruzgan province, said two men died when their car ran over a bomb on Saturday.

#3: At least three security personnel were martyred and two injured in firing by terrorists at FC patrolling team near a check post in Proom area of Panjgur on Saturday morning. The security forces chased the terrorists and killed five of them in exchange of fire.

#4: Unidentified Saturday gunmen fired at a vehicle of paramilitary soldiers in the earthquake-hit Balochistan province and killed three of them, officials said. Two more soldiers of the Frontier Corps were injured in the attack in Panjgur district, a spokesman said.

#5: Up to six army personnel were killed and injured in IED blast in eastern Logar province, the statement said without providing details.

#6: Two Taliban insurgents were killed and two police sustained injuries as conflict erupted in Marja District of the southern Helmand Province early Friday, a local official said. A group of Taliban rebels attacked a police checkpoint in Marja District early today morning and police returned fire killing two rebels on the spot, forcing others to flee," spokesman for Helmand's governor, Omar Zawak told Xinhua.

#7: At least seven suspected Taliban militants were killed following a NATO airstrike in central Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan. According to local government officials, the airstrike was carried out late Friday evening in Jalriz district.

#8: According to local authorities in eastern Logar province of Afghanistan, unknown gunmen shot dead at least three people including two teachers and a potential provincial council candidate in this province. Provincial governor spokesman, Din Mohammad Darwish confirming the report said the incident took place on Friday evening in Mohammad Agha district.

DoD: Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Baysore, Jr.

Posted by whisker at 5:09 AM

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