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


Monday, April 28, 2014

War News for Monday, April 28, 2014


Reported security incidents
#1: At least six people were injured on Monday when unidentified gunmen opened fire at a NATO container on the Pakistan-Afghanistan highway in the Khyber tribal region. The militants opened fire at a NATO container, injuring the driver of the vehicle and five other people following which the Khasadar forces personnel retaliated, Dawn online reported, citing official sources.

#2: An improvised-explosive device detonated along the border between North and South Waziristan on Sunday, killing at least three security personnel, security officials said. Military officials confirmed the incident, adding that the IED had targeted a military vehicle on patrol. “The IED was planted by terrorists on the roadside,” said a military official on condition of anonymity. “At least three security forces personnel, including an officer, were killed in the incident,” he said, adding, “Another three were injured and are currently in critical condition.”

#3: At least two Pakistani security personnel were killed and one injured Monday during an exchange of fire along the Pakistan-Iran border, a media report said. "Exchange of fire took place when security forces tried to stop a convoy of drug smugglers in Balochistan's Mashkel area, which is close to the Iranian border as they were trying to sneak into Iran," Dawn online reported a security official as saying.

#4: Security officials in Pakistan said that two rockets landed near an airport in northwestern city of Peshawar late Sunday.


MoD: Captain Thomas Clarke

MoD: Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan

MoD: Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner

MoD: Corporal James Walters

MoD: Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas

Posted by whisker at 4:20 AM

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