The Afghan Albatross Around the Pm's Neck [Edition 2]

Summary

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GORDON BROWN'S speech today on Afghanistan is his latest move to try to regain the political initiative over the war -- he visited troops in Helmand last weekend. He argues once again that the war is essential to protect Britain from terrorism, as well as hinting that British troops could start to be withdrawn as early as next year if more Afghan troops are trained. Yet he has been badly undermined by the resignation of Eric Joyce, a parliamentary aide to defence secretary Bob Ainsworth, who has condemned the Government's strategy. And despite Mr Joyce's lowly status, his criticisms will strike a chord with many amid mounting British casualties.

Mr Joyce is angry that Government figures have briefed against senior Army officers such as former Army chief Sir Richard Dannatt. This has backfired: as Mr Joyce points out, few people will make any distinction between attacks on the generals and troops in the frontline. It is clear that military setbacks are ministers' fault: their efforts over the past four years to fight the war on the cheap have failed. At the same time, Mr Brown's claims to be sending more troops fail to convince, as with his most recent such announcement, where new troops being sent will be balanced by those returning.

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The Afghan Albatross Around the Pm's Neck [Edition 2]

More serious is the Government's lack of st...

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