Someone else described Des's explanation as ingenious, either way he did not seem to have much support from his own benches. Forgive me but the governors residence was almost overrun by Talibs on previous nights. The paras were probably the only people who could hold it. It is telling that the commander in the field requested reinforcements and Des could come up with very little. Talib strategy appears to be to target soldiers but also equipment. I wonder what attrition rate has been built in to this op. The comments by John Reid do not suggest that the planners were on their game. The above article suggests the end of the world will not be nigh if the Talibs reassert their influence. The dreadful slothlike reaction from our european nato allies suggests the same. What exactly was Blair thinking about when he ordered his chiefs to take on this committment at such a time?