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 6, 2014

War News for Saturday, September 6, 2014


Heavy monsoon downpours hammers Pakistan, India

Afghans Say Taliban Are Nearing Control of Key District (Sangin district in northern Helmand)


Reported security incidents
#1: A Sikh businessman was shot dead on Saturday in Peshawar’s area of Gulberg, a private news channel reported. According to the report, the victim was a resident of Dabgari. He was attacked by two unidentified gunmen at his shop in Nothia area of Gulberg.

#2: Foiling a big sabotage attack, police on Saturday morning claimed seizing an explosives-laden truck near Maidan Hawai (Airport) road in capital Kabul, an official said.

#3: At least two security personnel sustained injuries when a remote controlled bomb exploded here in Darsamand area (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) on Saturday,

#4: About 86 Taliban militants have been killed and 62 others got injured as the Afghan security forces carried out cleanup operations in different provinces within the last 24 hours, said the country's Interior Ministry on Saturday morning.

#5: Two mine planters were killed, as a result of their own mine explosion in Badghis province yesterday.

#6: In clashes between Taliban militants and Afghan police forces, 9 insurgents were killed in Shah Wali Koot district of Kandahar province last night.

#7: A policeman was killed and seven civilians wounded in a suicide attack in Kandahar province last night.

#8: At least five Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were martyred following Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and militants attacks, defense officials said Saturday.


DoD: Spc. Brian K. Arsenault

Posted by whisker at 5:01 AM

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