Looks like they might be. Senior American military figures have warned Britain that a hasty exit from Afghanistan could strain relations between the two countries. The Daily Telegraph last week revealed that David Cameron has ordered British commanders to draw up plans to start pulling hundreds of British troops out of Afghanistan within weeks. As one of the only countries actually pulling a small bit of the weight in Afghanistan this is important from a military perspective, but more important from a strategic, diplomatic and credibility perspective. We have enough trouble convincing the Afghans that we are serious about staying long enough for them to take over their own security. This has been helped by having allies involved. Less from a pure troops on the ground perspective and more from having their diplomats and civilians talking to their Afghan counterparts. If the Brits cut and run, that will be damaged and it will hurt our ability to work with the Afghans, not to mention the ammo it gives to the cut and run chorus here at home. It has always been tough to see a good end to efforts in Afghanistan, this doesn't help.
Read the complete post at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blackfive/~3/9RW-VdOptDw/brits-bailing-on-afghanistan.html
Posted
May 17 2011, 12:44 AM
by
BLACKFIVE