• The post you are reporting:
   
  Peter - I agree with you and I certainly would not measure or expect success to be a western style of modern democracy. That is not what this is all about. It is about leaving a more stable Afghanistan with leaders who are less extreme and anti-west than the Taliban and who will not sponsor terrorism.
  
  Alexander: speak to professional soldiers, present and ex soldiers, indeed look at the former professional soldiers on this forum who know how their colleagues think and about their attitudes. What you are saying is very wide of the mark. These people are highly professional and take great pride in doing the hob they are paid for and want to do it properly. They know doing that job means going into harms way when they join.
  
  You also cannot possible compare them or their mission to the Soviets - it is totally different. This missions is not about imposing force but is about hearts and minds and support for the moderate Afghans equipping them to be able to deal with their security. That does mean tackling the militants, terrorist and extremists with brutal force when necessary.
  
  We can see what our troops and the Americans are doing and take great pride in them and what even the newest recruits are achieving. All of us watching these well made front-line documentaries can see that. I am staggered by maturity, actions and the massive responsibility one 21 year old Royal Marine lance-corporal had when leading a patrol having to deal with diplomatic situations with the locals and to defend against Taliban attack. At one point a local approached him, at risk of his own life, warned this lad about a IED and led them around it. That one incident in Helmland showed how they are winning this hearts and minds.

Report Post

Your Name

Reason