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According to a report in Today’s Guardian entitled: - Helmand troops let down by 'unrealistic' planning
British soldiers were sent into Helmand province on an ill-defined mission undermined by "unrealistic" planning and lack of manpower, according to a withering Commons report published today, which concludes that the strategic threat has shifted to Pakistan.
After eight years in Afghanistan, the west has failed to live up to many of its grander promises, while "mission creep" has imposed too many competing priorities on the armed forces, according to the Labour-chaired Commons foreign affairs select committee.
Meanwhile, it raises the alarming spectre of al-Qaida, which has shifted its focus into Pakistan, gaining access to Islamabad's nuclear arsenal.
Ill-defined and unrealistic are probably reasonable enough terms with which to describe the military operation in Afghanistan. The area between Afghanistan and Pakistan, whilst being easy enough to determine on a map, is indistinguishable on the ground. Movement between the two countries, especially for people who know the language and culture of the area, though physically challenging would pose few other problems.
The article continues to say: -
Whitehall is braced for the publication this month of a review of the Afghanistan campaign by General Stanley McChrystal, commander of US forces there, which is expected to trigger a fresh debate over troop numbers. Some MPs believe parliament may even be recalled from recess to debate Afghanistan.
The Foreign Office admitted last night that the insurgent threat in Helmand was "greater than anticipated", but said the aim of denying al-Qaida a safe haven remained unchanged.
Recalling parliament is a rare event though myself I do not believe that parliament should be allowed into recess while our nation is technically at war with another.
I find the admission of the foreign office that the insurgent threat in Helmand was greater than anticipated to be fatuous. The Taliban used to run the country, for gods sake, what did they expect?
The aim of denying al-Qaida a safe haven remains unchanged so they say, though probably still rather ill-defined and unrealistic bearing in mind that the Taliban fighters are on their home turf and have been fighting there for literally generations. Oh yes, in case anyone forgot, they can cross the mountains into Pakistan.
Anyone internationally fancy an incursion into an internally unstable Islamic nuclear power? Thought not.
I may be incorrect in saying this but I doubt it. The British National Party is the only mainstream political party in the UK which unequivocally not only would not have entered Afghanistan in the first place but would most certainly arrange a homecoming as soon as we took over the reigns of power.
If you place your vote elsewhere then you obviously agree with this military incursion.
