The head of the armed forces made it clear yesterday that he would oppose any request from Barack Obama to transfer British troops to Afghanistan from Iraq when they leave Basra next year.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the chief of the defence staff, said that a reduction in the 'operational tempo' was essential for British troops and it was time other NATO countries contributed more to the fight against the insurgency in Afghanistan.
'I have said for a very long time that the British armed forces are stretched. We are doing more than we are structured and resourced to do in the long term. We can do it for a short period, but we can't continue doing it ad infinitum,' Stirrup told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show:
'We have to put ourselves back into balance. It is crucial that we reduce the operational tempo for our armed forces. So it can't be ... just a one-for-one transfer from Iraq to Afghanistan. We have to reduce that tempo.'
I'm sure there are a few Americans who would like a similar approach.
By: Brant
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