They just got a different tool to use than we do: They kill innocent lives to achieve objectives. That's what they do. And they're good. They get on the TV screens and they get people to ask questions about, well, you know, this, that or the other. I mean, they're able to kind of say to people: Don't come and bother us, because we will kill you. Bush - Joint News Conference with Blair - 28 July '06

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Real Afghan war is now beginning

thebusiness: The bloodiest wars often start with the least political fanfare. The Crimean war was agreed in a Cabinet meeting while three members were asleep. And last week, just 13 Labour MPs listened to the Commons statement about Afghanistan.

The voice of John Reid, the Defence Secretary, echoed to the lack of listeners in the chamber as he announced the 1 billion pound deployment of 6,000 troops. The contrast to the hubris before the Iraq war could hardly be starker. Yet the Afghanistan mission could - for British troops - bring a higher death toll than Iraq. The risks are higher, the stakes lower and the goals would be considered laughable if so many lives were not at stake. Read more