Even More Afghan?
 

Looks like the UK will most likely be making greater efforts to assist US forces in Afghanistan. Reported by BBC 22/08/17,
Sir Michael Fallon, said America's commitment in Afghanistan was "very welcome", adding: "We have to stay the course in Afghanistan to help build up its fragile democracy and reduce the terrorist threat to the West."

OAP

With what (if that's what he actually meant)?

What a waste!
We fought the Taliban at enormous cost in lives and money - and we got nowhere in the end.
What therefore is the point in starting all over again?

Those additional 85 advisors we sent in June will be enough to tip the balance. They'll be home, as victors, by Christmas is my prediction.

The phrase pissing in the wind springs to mind!
Utter waste of time, money and most importantly life! :ugh:
The biggest terrorist threat to the West comes from within our own borders, people radicalized at least in part by virtue of the presence of Western troops on Islamic soil.

I do wish Sir M Fallon would take an extended trip in a Land Rover around Afghanistan in order to gain a better appreciation of the situation. A couple of weeks should do the trick....

The Russians failed. The US failed. Even the Brits failed over a hundred years ago. Let's stop this madness. The defence of the Realm starts at Dover these days. We just don't have enough resources to do anything else. Bigpants has a good suggestion. Mr Fallon, stop listening to the sabre-rattling 5*s and see the big picture. Absolutely no point killing Taliban in a far off land if you cannot stop terrorism in the UK.

Not to mention that aside from the Libyan responsible for the Manchester attack, all the terrorists are usually from erm rightt here on UK soil....

This Tory parliamentarian did a lot more than that. He walked from one end of Afghanistan to the other, unarmed unescorted and alone. He knows what he is talking about.



Episode 2 isn't on YouTube, but here a link to it elsewhere.

If you haven't got an hour or two to spare to watch that two-part documentary, take a look at this 18 minute talk he gave. It's as valid now as was when he spoke six years ago.


When will we ever learn?! Trying to crush the Afghan resistance never works and it never will, no matter how technologically 'superior' we may believe ourselves to be.

To 5*s, war equals more money and in house MoD politicing. They are not the ones who are going to have to bleed !!

For the benefit of those in the UK who aren't aware of the new US strategy announced by President Trump on 21 Aug 17:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOQ8su1Cxrc

Went down very well with the retired 1* > 4* talking heads on TV over here.

Much more freedom for commanders in the field and SecDef.

The Pakistan dimension could get interesting.

Prime time opinion on President Trump's speech from:

Gen Jack Keane US Army (Ret) - former Vice Chief of Staff of US Army

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuYBETg8P0Q

Former US Ambassador to UN John Bolton

Lt Col Oliver North USMC (Ret)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9uJrLrc_Js

Rory Stewart is one of the few MPs I have any time for. Money where your mouth is springs to mind.

And pigs might fly - good luck with that.

Serious British campaign medal collectors specialising in the region might be interested in adding the following to their collection:

Candahar, Ghuznee and Cabul medal (1842) (The First Afghan War)

Afghanistan Medal (1878- 80) (The Second Afghan War)

Kabul to Kandahar Star (1878 - 80)

India General Service Medal, clasp 'Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919' (The Third Afghan War)

Operational Service Medal (2001 on)

I have absolutely no idea how many thousands of British troops died in the campaigns associated with these medals, but it seems that 175 years after the first attempts to bring some sort of order to that country there are to be more.

Why?

Because Trump has surrounded himself with generals who have convinced him that the military can win the war.

What I heard President Trump say was that the US would no longer be engaged in nation building, but intended simply to win. That sounds like reducing a terrorist threat by whatever means is necessary, it does not sound like the US is any longer interested in "building up a fragile democracy". It isn't a NATO situation and "by whatever means" will increase radicalisation and international terrorism - we should stay out of it.

Couldn't agree more. Likewise for all the previous disquiet.

How many more body bags will have to pass thru Brize for no good reason ? I can only hope that Parliament has the sense to say no, reflecting the will of the people who have had enough of these ridiculous wars.

is this another of those situations where spineless top brass will bravely adopt the 'can do' approach in the face of obvious lack of people and kit ? Or, might we be lucky enough to finally witness the politicians being told that we actually can't do what they expect, quoting various SDR decisions. Sadly, I think not.

If the US goes to indifference to "collateral" damage then who are the real terrorists?

The Taliban and ISIS.