08 October 2008

Hitting back at British criticisms of US war

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has come out swinging at British criticism of the war in Afghanistan:
'While we face significant challenges in Afghanistan, there certainly is no reason to be defeatist or to underestimate the opportunities to be successful in the long run,' Mr Gates said on board a military aircraft flying to Europe for Nato meetings.
He was speaking in reaction to comments from Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, who said in a newspaper that the war against the Taliban could not be won, and the ambassador, Sherard Cowper-Coles, who said an 'acceptable dictator' would be the best political solution for Afghanistan.


"Kings of War" an entertaining defence blog from King's College in London puts the Brigadier's comments in perspective:
Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, Britain’s most senior military commander in Afghanistan, is reported by the Times ‘War on Taliban Cannot be Won‘ to have said said the ‘British public should not expect a “decisive military victory” but should be prepared for a possible deal with the Taliban.’


By: Widow 6-7

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