British soldiers firing at Taliban positions in Helmand. Britain is the United States’ most important ally in the coalition. Eros Hoagland for The New York TimesFailure To Fund Armed Forces 'Threatens Britain's Special Relationship With US' -- The Telegraph
Britain's "special relationship" with the United States is threatened by our Government's failure to properly fund its Armed Forces and "hold up its end of the bargain", a senior US economist has warned.
Irwin Stelzer, a senior fellow and director of Hudson Institute's economic policy studies group, said Britain and America face the same global threats - international terrorism, nuclear weapons in the hands of North Korea and Iran, the Taliban threat in Pakistan and a resurgent Russia.
But while Britain has previously always stood shoulder to shoulder with its bigger ally on defence issues, he said, recent political decisions not to do so – apparently motivated by cost – has made the Pentagon nervous and led it to question the UK's commitment.
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More News On Britain
PM 'will listen to Army demands' -- BBC
Armed Forces chiefs call for more troops and helicopters in Afghanistan -- The Telegraph
U.K. Army Chief Dannatt Says More Resources Needed -- Bloomberg
Relentless rise of Afghanistan casualties laid bare -- Times Online
Scarcity of Copters Fuels British Debate Over War -- New York Times
My Comment: A lack of leadership and direction from the top, coupled with a lack of funding and monies necessary to maintain a properly equipped military .... has brought Britain to where it is today.
For me .... the symbol of idiocy can be seen in their development of two new aircraft carriers for their Navy. While they are building these ships .... they have yet to commit the resources for its airplanes, and while this debate is going on, British soldiers who are fighting in Afghanistan do not have the necessary helicopters to fly them around.
I am sure that when U.S. Generals and Defense staff look at what is happening to what was once the world's most formidable fighting force .... they are shaking their heads.