It really has come to something when it falls to the Lib Dems to break the ludicrous, despicable cross-party consensus over the doomed, aimless, exceptionally costly war in Afghanistan.
Why was there ever such a consensus in the first place? I dimly recall that it was something to do with the totally unconnected Saudi attack on America in September 2001.
Oh, and there was some stuff about changing the dress code for women. To what? And since when was that a British strategic interest? In any case, it hasn’t worked. The burkha is still worn in full view of our troops. Well, of course it is.
There are no Taliban distinct from the Pashtun generally, and while they certainly want a very particular and unpleasant type of Islamic state, they only want in Afghanistan and Pakistan, or even only in the Pashtun parts of those countries. With a nuclear bomb in Pakistan, any fight to prevent a bomb in Islamist hands has already been lost, since those who run the madrassas are an integral part of the power structure there, although the ultimate authority is the Army. No mere politician is allowed anywhere near the nuclear codes.
And who would not object to the invasion and occupation of their country? Far from defending ourselves in Afghanistan, we are making enemies of people who would never otherwise have given us any thought. People with access, even if indirect, to the Pakistani nuclear bomb.
We should never have gone into Afghanistan.
And we should get out.
If the politicians will not bring our boys home, then they should do their sworn duty to defend this Realm and simply bring themselves home anyway.
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Tonights news that five young men have died in a single incident is indeed tragic for their families.
ReplyDeleteHowever multiple deaths in single incidents will always distort figures. ...as in the case of a plane shot down last year.
The likelihood is that as the "battle is being taken to the Taliban" others will die.
The scenes in the small Gloucester village (the name eludes me at the moment) are poignant.
The MODs Publicity Depts have tried to maximise support for the troops to use as a fig leaf for the Governments stupidity.
But mobilising the Public in this way may actually be a double edged sword.
Seems to me that sooner rather than later the tide of public opinion will turn and there will be louder calls for withdrawal.
Bob AintWorthIt will be a worried man tonight.
Oh, it's already shifting. That is what Nick Clegg is reacting to. But the Lib Dems have to explain why they have supported this war up to now. They can't.
ReplyDeleteWootton Bassett (spelling may be wrong) is the name of that village.
ReplyDeletePrepare to hear lame arguments about the troops needing us to keep silent on what the mission's about - and that if we question the purpose of continuing we're falling for the Taliban's tricks.
Anyone else find it ironic that they're using all the arguments the Soviets did in the 80s? You know - when the UK/US govts were backing the Islamists...
I seem to remember the UK joined the US in invading Afghanistan to get this Saudi bloke called Bin Laden. Whatever happened to that particular manhunt? Seem to recall the Taliban saying they'd extradite him if the US would prevent evidence of his crimes... That's all down the memory hole, now, though.
Having loosed Middle England types onto the streets of Wooton Basset (in Middle England)....then it can hardly come as a surprise when Middle England starts demanding the troops return.
ReplyDeleteI think I may have stated before in a comment that a "major incident" such as a troop carrying plane crashing or being shot down would be a turning point.
I am of course completely neutral as to the outcome...as I will be neither better or worse off as a consequence and have no legal or emotional tie to either side.
It does seem however a Vietnam denial phase is being entered. Whereby the troops themselves will not shoulder the blame. "Their hands were tied"...."liberal media"....."poor equipment"
Everything but Jane Fonda in fact.
With nukes already in place in Pakistan and terror being financed by the Saudis, there is absolutely no point in Afghnistan.
Middle England is not a very war-like place. There were always widespread doubts about Afghanistan, and there was very profound opposition to Iraq.
ReplyDeleteBelieving in strong defence is not the same as believing in waging wars to remake the world according to some academic blueprint. Quite the reverse, in fact.
And people who are rich enough to be liable for tax, even top-rate tax, but too poor to be able to avoid it know exactly who pays for wars. They do.