SIR GUESTLING THORN

Well how do you feel about the withdrawal from Afghanistan? I’ve made my feelings clear. There is as always a broader point and in this case it is one more example of the hubris of the West and particularly the USA and ourselves. We continue to believe we have every right to police the world when most of the problems were historically created by us in the first place and when I say us, let me be clear Britain carries a huge responsibility for much of todays troubles. They are not alone and the causes of conflict are often steeped in centuries of history. The problem is, that with all of our well educated experts on historical events the politicians hardly ever listen and certainly don’t understand the context and background when launching these campaigns. They have been knee jerk reactions to often unfounded, so called intelligence and as such mismanaged and ill prepared!

Take Afghanistan, ignoring the catalyst for going there, did the Americans and the British truly believe they could defeat an ancient fundamental “enemy” who are probably the best guerrilla fighters in the world, they defeated the Russians and have done the same throughout history too all invaders. Using their mountain strongholds they are patient, well armed, well organised, determined, patient and unwavering in their own cause and fundamental Islamic beliefs. They knew the west would eventually tire of policing the country and they could swoop down and take back power. I’m sure even they did not think it would be this easy but they knew eventually they would win? Well armed and well trained, these are not the rag tag bunch of bearded turbaned terrorists that they were are so often portrayed as. If they had of been, surely the might of the western forces, would have defeated them? We are fools to think that our might is right and that we must be able to win! Yet again we have tired of a conflict that should never have started and have left having failed to achieve the objective.

Do not misunderstand there have been times when if we had not stepped in the disaster unfolding would have been much worse. 

The wailing and disgust, over the actions of the withdrawal, will I predict be quickly overtaken and forgotten because history reflects that’s the way it always is? If only we took note of the lessons of our past and actually learnt from them. 

I’m sure there were well meaning and genuine attempts made during the course of the last 20 years to try and secure a peaceful outcome and leave Afghanistan in a position where self rule was achievable with all the parties but surely by now they would have realised that the Taliban were never prepared to compromise, implacable and fanatical, a combination that is impossible to fight.

Now the West are showing their true colours as they backtrack faster than the the troops who have been withdrawn. Biden has done himself no good and as usual our Conservative government are conspicuously absent or making trite remarks which as always are insulting and meaningless. The headline says we take 20000 Afghanistan refugees, read further down and you will see that is 5000 per year for the next 4 years! Big boots, cowardly hearts!

I read a piece today quoting a soldier who had served in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts who said we may as well have lined up 500 British soldiers in Brize norton and shot them! A bitter and gruesome reflection but one can understand the strength of his feelings!

To end today another word from Susie:

IMPRESCIENCE (19th Century) The total lack of foresight and for knowledge!

Stay well