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, November 24, 2013

News of the Day for Sunday, November 24, 2013

In an odd twist, the Loya Jirga overwhelmingly backs the security pact with the U.S., but president Karzai says he won't sign it as is and intends to continue negotiating. It is unclear why he called the jirga, which required essentially locking down the capital city for 6 days. "Even Mr. Karzai’s allies were at a loss to explain what he hoped to gain from the perplexing series of events around what was expected to be a straightforward deal."

Chair of the Jirga, Sibghatulullah Mojaddedi, lectured Karzai, warning that if he delays signing the agreement, ``I’ll resign and leave the country.’’ Mojaddedi is a long-time confidante of Karzai, adding to the perplexing nature of these events.

Two civilians are killed and a police officer injured  in Jalalabad by a bomb planted in a trash can.

Two members of the Afghan border police killed in an insider attack in southern Kandahar province. The perpetrator escaped.

A member of the Takhar Province provincial council, Qari Khal Mohammad, is killed by explosives planted in his vehicle.

Posted by Cervantes at 4:53 AM

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