With public support that low no one European politician can afford to be hawkish on the matter. OTOH, they do not have the courage to cut the whole military operation.
OTOH, they do not have the courage to cut the whole military operation.
That's their damn cowardice that I find soooo annoying.
If European politicians think that Afghanistan is not important to our security, then they should withdraw regardless of what the US think. The US is unhappy anyway.
OR:
If European politicians think the ISAF mission is vital, then they should support it full heartedly regardless of how unpopular it is. And with full support I do not mean to send troops to the US disposal, but to actually work out a decent strategy and convince other NATO states to support it. There is always more than just support or objection of US policy.
But the current policy should not be continued. Perhaps an Afghanistan Study Group would help our politicians to make up their mind: Withdrawal or a change of strategy combined with more resources. One or the other rather than muddling throught to disasater.
I wrote "not get into too much trouble with" the US. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
I still think it is not working.
