FWIW,
"Military chief defends UK response to ME conflict"
"The head of the British military has told the BBC he "completely rejects" criticism that the UK had been ill-prepared for the conflict in the Middle East."
Of course, in a way, he's correct. But what he
should say is that "Given the dire straits the UK Armed Forces are in due to a decades-long lack of political will and investment, and the fact the UK Government is totally unable to make an actual decision, we in the Armed Forces have done the best we can given the s**t-show that's been handed to us!".
Of course, that would be quite "career-limiting" if he were to say it. So, yet again, a poor VSO "bailing out" the latest in a series of inept Governments! Given the situation he's in he has my sympathy! But, clearly the Govt have realised that they've been caught without any clothes on yet again and have ordered a VSO to bail them out - yet again!
