More troops needed in Afghanistan

[honest_joe]

Condi Rice has said more troops are needed in Afghanistan. After holding hands with David Miliband with the hope of asking other NATO countries such as France and Germany to add to the total but without success what is the solution? As we are reducing our committment in Iraq by the Spring should Britain add to the nearly 8000 troops in Afghanistan? If so are we just following Blair's policies of being subservient to the failing Bush regime?

[Gromit]

A difficult choice for NATO.

1) Admit defeat and leave

or

2) Stay another 20 - 25 years.

Option 1: Embarrassing but cheap. Lead to a reinvigorated Taliban
Option 2: Keep face but Expensive.

Even after seven years there does not seem to be a clear objective or reason to be there. People are dying on all sides and no one seems to know what for.

[anotheoldgit]

Unless every NATO country shows the same commitment, then yes we should pull out.

Canada has said that if the rest of NATO don't do their fair share, then they will withdraw their troops.

It would seem that those other NATO countries value the lives of their young men much more, than our politicians seem to value ours.

[whiffey]

Bring them home. Of course the Taliban will then proliferate, so keep as close an eye as possible on the build-up by spy satellite and then the US can periodically obliterate them with cruise missiles or B52s. We could have a go too, practice for the RAF.

[sp1214]

Obviously the USA would not like to admit defeat by withdrawing troops. They had the world's backing in fighting the Taliban but due to the diversion into Iraq have lost public sympathy. This is an unwinnable war for they just retreat into Pakistan who is probably hosting Bin Laden, the UK should get out now!