The UK's commitment to Afghanistan could last for up to 40 years, the incoming head of the Army has said.
Gen Sir David Richards, who takes over on 28 August, told the Times the Army's role would evolve, but the process of "nation-building" would last decades.
The UK's commitment to Afghanistan could last for up to 40 years, the incoming head of the Army has said.
Gen Sir David Richards, who takes over on 28 August, told the Times the Army's role would evolve, but the process of "nation-building" would last decades.
I absolutely agree of course but there are many on this site who will claim you are a conspiracy theorist for promoting such an opinion. It's all about the war on terror isn't it?Remember 9/11 and 7/7.
Don't reply though because the secret services will probably create a denial of service situation on this forum if this is discussed any further.
We're getting used to these predictions of the lengths of military commitments, aren't we? Either the army has a crystal ball or - perish the thought - it intends to stay in Afghanistan for 40 years.
"We're just waiting, looking skyward as the days go down / Someone promised there'd be answers if we stayed around."
It took the Soviet Union only ten years to realise that they were in an unwinnable war and the Anglo-Afghan wars of earlier centuries only totalled six years. It seems we don't learn from history, we only grow more stupid.
WolfattheDoor wrote:It took the Soviet Union only ten years to realise that they were in an unwinnable war and the Anglo-Afghan wars of earlier centuries only totalled six years. It seems we don't learn from history, we only grow more stupid.
It does make you wonder if some countries/regions carry a curse, doesn't it? Of course the irony is that it was America that, via the SIS, created the Taliban with the aim of drawing Russia into a draining, unwinnable war. Now it may have fallen into the very trap that it originally laid for the Russians.
"We're just waiting, looking skyward as the days go down / Someone promised there'd be answers if we stayed around."
You never saw the film Chalie Wilsons War then? The Russians lost in Afghanistan due to the USA supplying the taliban with 1 billion in arms through isreal. The same is now happening to the UK with Saudi and Iran supplying arms to the Talban through Pakistan.
The Afghans would be overun in about 1/2 an hr without lots and lots of outside help.
Of course the irony is that it was America that, via the SIS, created the Taliban with the aim of drawing Russia into a draining, unwinnable war. Now it may have fallen into the very trap that it originally laid for the Russians.