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, April 12, 2012

War News for Thursday, April 12, 2012

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from an IED blast in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, April 11th.

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from an insurgent attack in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, April 11th.

NATO is reporting the death of an ISAF soldier from an IED blast in an undisclosed location in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, April 12th.


NATO Dismisses 'Russian Base' Talk

Marines Killed in Exercise Involving Camp Lejeune (MV-22 Osprey)

No Saudi pressure on Iran pipeline: Pakistan

NATO Chief Pledges To Meet Afghan Handover Goal

2 Turkish soldiers killed in clashes with PKK rebels in SE Turkey

In Poppy War, Taliban Aim to Protect a Cash Crop


Reported security incidents

#1: Two children were killed and six other civilians injured Thursday when a roadside bomb went off in the country's southern province of Helmand, a spokesman for the provincial government said. "Two innocent children were killed and six other civilians injured when a vehicle touched off a roadside bomb on a road at about 9 a.m. local time in Safar area of Garmasir district," spokesman Daud Ahmadi told Xinhua.

#2: A helicopter with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) made a hard landing in eastern Afghan region on Thursday with no reported casualties, the military alliance said in a press release. "An International Security Assistance Force helicopter made a hard landing in eastern Afghanistan today," the ISAF said in the release. "All crew members have been recovered with no reported fatalities and the site of the incident is secure," the press release said.

#3: According to local security officials in southern Kandahar province, an Afghan civilian was shot dead by International Security Assistance Force. The officials further added, the incident took place at Daman district of southern Kandahar province on Wednesday. Provincial security chief for southern Kandahar province Gen. Rahmatullah Atrafi confirming the report said, the incident took place at Mond-Eisar area after NATO troops shot dead an Afghan civilian presuming he was an insurgent. Gen. Atrafi further added, the deceased individual was an ordinary civilian and was not armed. He also said, an Afghan kid was also accompanying the man who was shot dead but the kid did not suffer any casualty.

#4: According to Afghan defense officials, at least 4 Afghan National Army soldiers were killed and injured following an improvised explosive device explosion in southern Helmand province. The officials further added, the incident took place in Greshk district of southern Helmand province killing at least 2 Afghan army soldiers and injuring 2 others.

#5: Afghan Defense Ministry officials following a press release on Wednesday announced at least 11 Afghan National Army soldiers were killed and injured in various incidents across the country. The source further added, at least 1 Afghan soldier was killed in southern Kandahar city, 3 Afghan soldiers were killed at Sarkano district in eastern Kunar province, 1 Afghan soldier was killed in Syedabad district of central Maidan Wardak province and 6 other Afghan soldiers were injured at Zherai district of southern Kandahar province. In a separate incident at Delaram district of western Nimroz province at least 3 Afghan soldiers were killed and 3 others were injured after an Afghan army vehicle struck with another car, the officials added.

Posted by whisker at 4:04 AM

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