“I’m afraid for a whole generation its perfectly understandable a whole generation of officers were so keen to refocus away from the Cold War and to focus on Afghanistan and Iraq that they went too far in that direction and I think we now need to recalibrate it. "
Rory Stewart Daily Telegraph 31 July 2104
Russian threat: Britain has taken its 'eye off the ball' - Telegraph
I'm sure that the Rt Hon Rory Stewart MP is not trying to palm the blame for the need to 'recalibrate' on the military and away from the politicians actions, but his comment does seem to read that way! The only way to maintain any military capability or funding of late was to connect it to the 'Main Thrust' in Iraq and Afghanistan, dictated by politiocos. I sincerely hope that I have misread the quote.....