The Independent's brilliant Middle East correspondent, Patrick Cockburn, has an article in today's paper which clearly sets out why the war in Afghanistan - and it is a war when British soldiers are being killed every day - is unnecessary and unwinnable.
He repeats the fundamental point that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were precisely what the nebulous 'al Qaeda' wanted and unfortunately an American President of limited abilities and a British Prime Minister with appalling judgment took the bait in one gulp. Cockburn mentions the uncomfortable truth that the centre of the supposed 'al Qaeda' insurgency against civilised human beings is actually in Pakistan. So when is the invasion of Lahore going to be, Gordon?
Cockburn also notes that the Afghan government is utterly corrupt and not worthy of our support. It is essentially one side of a long running tribal dispute within the country.
His conclusion is a hard one to swallow for any British Prime Minister. The war cannot be won and withdrawal will be humiliating - and will be hailed as a victory for the pointless bearded oafs who want to drag us back to the middle ages to satisfy their warped world view - but it would be the right decision and it would stop British soldiers from dying, he argues. For that reason alone, this has to be worth considering and any Prime Minister worth his salt should be doing so. Regrettably, Gordon Brown has a pretty strong reputation for doing nothing so we can expect no change.
And what would Dave do if he won? Why, kowtow to the Americans and keep our troops there for as long as they are required.
Plus ca change...
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