Nation at war

If something is characteristical in Britons while at war is their pride and unbeatable faith. For the last two centuries, the United Kingdom has been present in almost all of the armed conflicts that happened anywhere in the world. That allowed them to create the Imperial War Museum in London -and me to spend four hours in that place, a personal record inside a museum. But also, and most important, to educate its population to support, live and carry on with war.

Only that way it is understandable that after last week life loses, after the bloodiest month for Britain in Afghanistan, after passing the line and account more deaths than in Iraq and after losing their highest rank commander in 27 years; still, after all that, support for the war not only maintains but also grows. A year ago it was a 31%, today is a 46%. A 47% is against it, however.

In many other European countries, and even in the US, after a bloody week like last one, politicians would be talking about a withdrawal. Not about the fact of doing it, but how and when. Just a week ago, the Bundeswehr was strongly criticized because (as mostly other European forces in Afghanistan) they never go out from their bases. Too soft, they said. Well, the debate flamed up back in Germany; not about the mission but about how to not make war (and still be seen as trustfull allies).

The British forces, on the other hand, have been since the beginning of the war both in Iraq and Afghanistan in the hot zones. In the Gulf it was Basra and Fallujah. Here in Afghanistan is Hellmand province, the same that got all that media coverage now with the combined offensive of 4,000 US Marines (as in Fallujah). Combats in that area have been fiercely maintained for years, as shown in the video (below) and never could be claim completely by NATO forces. And despite that, support back in London continues.

The argument in London, in fact, goes into different ways. Like the cuts to the Defense budget and the protection for the soldiers. Against those accusations, Defense and Foreign Affairs Secretaries have joined forces to defend their positions, the Afghan war and the British Army before the public opinion.

Brown’s government argues that British soldiers are as protected as never had been before. But truth is that, while the US Army spends millions of dollars in mine resistant (MRAP) vehicles development and purchases, the British Army carries on with patches to old jeeps or on the way solutions. Choppers aren’t at hand always either, which had led into first time public attacks from David Cameron, the conservatives’ leader, with the Afghan issue as background.

When in 2001 British forces started patrolling in Afghanistan and later on Iraq, they did it ol’ style: no body armor, their green or red berets and on foot. After a few casualties, commanders learnt the lesson and started using vehicles, helmets and full body armor. If they learnt the lesson on foot, let’s hope they will too with the MRAPs. Either that or they will lose the battle. Home and abroad.



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