Whoops Afghanistan. UK Ambassador Has Second Thoughts

Afghan Woman Celebrates New Womens' Rights

"We were too focused on Iraq and we took our eye off the ball. We thought we had won and the Taliban had run away and we just sort of left it to the Afghans to get on with it and we very quickly switched our focus to Iraq. You don't normally write history so quickly but I'm pretty clear that we won't have to wait too long for history to make that judgment."Patey also seemed to suggest that the presence of the foreign forces had become a hindrance to the stability of the country.When asked if foreign troops were now part of the problem, he responded: "Could be", adding: "Afghans have never been comfortable with foreigners and there comes a point - no matter how benign the intentions, and how much you explain that this [Isaf] is not an occupying force, that we are here under a UN mandate agreed with the Afghans - when you just outstay your welcome." This interview with Sir William Patey is pretty incredible and an insight in to how deep incompetence can run in British (also known as US) foreign policy.