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, February 29, 2016

Update for Monday, February 29, 2016


This is very ominous. U.S. issues strongest warning to date on possible collapse of Mosul dam, urges preparations for evacuation. They don't say anything more specific but it seems that something must have triggered this statement. Remember that if the dam collapses, it will destroy the city of Mosul.

Suicide bombing at a funeral in Muqdadiya kills 25. The target appears to have been Shiite militia members.

A wife of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has reportedly fled. The reason is unclear. The individual is a German national.

Death toll in market bombing in Sadr City now stands at 73.


Posted by Cervantes at 8:29 AM

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