From The Telegraph:
John Hutton, the Defence Secretary, has brought some refreshing realism to his new post. His pronouncements on Afghanistan have properly focused on the primary task, which is the protection of Britain from terrorist attack by the Islamist groups that previously established safe havens in the lawless country. In speeches, interviews and an appearance yesterday before the Commons defence select committee, he paid tribute to the heroism of servicemen and women deployed in Afghanistan and pledged that they would be "as well protected as they can be". These are the sort of comforting words we have heard before from occupants of Mr Hutton's post; yet they simply do not square with what we learn about the realities in the field.
Read more ....
John Hutton, the Defence Secretary, has brought some refreshing realism to his new post. His pronouncements on Afghanistan have properly focused on the primary task, which is the protection of Britain from terrorist attack by the Islamist groups that previously established safe havens in the lawless country. In speeches, interviews and an appearance yesterday before the Commons defence select committee, he paid tribute to the heroism of servicemen and women deployed in Afghanistan and pledged that they would be "as well protected as they can be". These are the sort of comforting words we have heard before from occupants of Mr Hutton's post; yet they simply do not square with what we learn about the realities in the field.
Read more ....