News from the front
James Forsyth 11:10pm
Anthony Cordesman, the respected US military expert, has an important piece in the Washington Post today on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As he reports, both conflicts are at a critical moment: “No one can return from the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan, as I recently did, without believing that these are wars that can still be won. They are also clearly wars that can still be lost”.
Cordesman is more optimistic about the situation in Iraq than Afghanistan, but he argues that neither conflict will end anytime soon. “What the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan have in common is that it will take a major and consistent U.S. effort throughout the next administration at least to win either war.”
To my mind, this fact is the compelling reason to hope that John McCain wins in November. He is the only presidential candidate who has both grasped this reality and is prepared to make the commitments that will be necessary if the United States and its allies are to give themselves a chance of winning these conflicts.
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Comments
TGF UKIP
February 24th, 2008 11:37pmHear, hear James to the final para. The deteriorating position in Afghanistan does emphasize, though, the delinquency of the Germans, French and Italians in this conflict. I note also that the Canadian Liberals have also forced the Canadian Government to shorten its commitment. Self-destruction appears to be gripping the West. As far as the UK goes, Iain Martin's piece in last Thursday's (21 Feb) Telegraph "Britain's defence spending is a disgrace" is essential reading www.telegraph.co.uk)
Tiberius
February 24th, 2008 11:44pmCompletely agree with your conclusion, James, and it begs the somewhat chilling questions, "what if the Democrats win?" and "which of Hillary or Barack would best stand up for Western security?"
James Canning
February 24th, 2008 11:48pmPerhaps James Forsyth will explain what he regards as "winning" in Iraq. The Shiites will remain in control of Baghdad and the central government, whether the US withdraws entirely this coming year, or stay for decades to come, as sought by John McCain. The cost of hundreds of billions of dollars annually makes this adventure a total absurdity.
Selby
February 25th, 2008 8:03amJames - whatever it may be for you and your byline - this is not an adventure in any sense. It is chilling reality and the sooner the media cut the sensationalist headlines and concentrate on the basic hard facts the better. To pull out now or compromise on our commitment to leave when a stable ruling power is in place would be irrisponsible in the short term and and reckless beyond belief in the long.
THX1138
February 25th, 2008 11:30amThe USA will have spent 3 Trillion dollars in Iraq for what? Can anyone please tell me why the cost in lives & treasure was worth it? The sooner we get Obama & leave the better.