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, January 2, 2016

Update for Saturday, January 2, 2016

District Chief Amanuddin Quraishi, of the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province, says the Taliban have established control there and in neighboring Dash-i-Archi over an area of 25 square kilometers. They are preparing to attack the center of Dash-i-Archi and security forces are unprepared to defend it.

In Helmand province, Afghan forces free 59 captives from a Taliban prison. About half were soldiers and half civilians.

Suicide attack on a French restaurant in Kabul yesterday kills 2, injures 17. The restaurant is frequented by foreigners but the dead were both Afghan civilians.

Breakaway faction of Taliban led by Mullah Mohammad Rasool Akhund agrees to a ceasefire and prisoner exchange with the main faction led by Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. This could mean the government will face more formidable opposition, but also enhances the possibilities for peace talks.

In Iraq news, a UK investigatory body says British troops may face criminal charges for their actions in the Iraq war. However, no specific cases are named at this time.

Saudi Arabia recently re-opened its embassy in Baghdad, but Saudi Arabia's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr has caused outrage in Iraq, with many calling for the embassy to be closed. Saudi Arabia broke diplomatic relations with Iraq 25 years ago after Saddam Hussein invaded and attempted to annex Kuwait.

U.S. special forces apparently partner with Kurdish forces in an attack on IS position in Hawija. Few details are given.


Posted by Cervantes at 6:04 AM

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