Iraq: US Generals and neocons blame Brits for mess

General Jack Keane, a former US army chief who now advises American commanders in Baghdad, told a newspaper yesterday that Britain was failing in the south. "It is disappointing and frustrating to see a situation in Basra that was once working pretty well now coming apart."

There was also criticism from Michael O'Hanlon, of the Brookings Institution [ed:neocons], a Washington think tank. "Basra is a mess and the exit strategy attempted there has failed," he said.

The MoD rejected such criticism, insisting southern Iraq was making progress towards peace and stability.

Privately, some military insiders fear the UK forces are being subjected to a propaganda war from the US looking for a scapegoat to explain the lack of progress in the country. Read more