Comments on: britishbattles.com

britishbattles.com

nthdegx — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:49:21 -0800

The sections of britishbattles.com about The First Afghan War have apparently been quoted verbatim in Al-Qaeda propaganda. Site author, amateur historian John Mackenzie, told the press "It's exactly appropriate to use the account of the first Afghan war to point out the pointlessness of the current operations and the dangers that they run of a similar disaster,"

The National Army Museum's Julian Farrance: "They're ignoring the successes that Britain had in Afghanistan, and there have been many. The second Afghan war was concluded very much in Britain's favour and the third Afghan war was a total washout for the Afghans."

By: kisch mokusch

kisch mokusch — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 04:24:38 -0800

While I couldn't give a rat's arse where Al-Qaeda gets it's propaganda material, I really enjoyed scrolling through the first link. Thank you for posting it.

By: cstross

cstross — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 04:29:17 -0800

The first Afghan war was an attempt at permanent occupation and imperial colonization via a puppet monarchy. The second and third Afghan wars came with exit conditions attached -- "go in, kick ass, then retreat in good order". Spot the difference.

By: mr. strange

mr. strange — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 04:38:16 -0800

Yeah, and our current misadventures closely resemble #1.

By: fleacircus

fleacircus — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:06:22 -0800

Heckuva job, Elphie.

By: resurrexit

resurrexit — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:49:03 -0800

(A far cooler cultural reference: Hamas uses music from Lords of the Realm II in a psychedelic propaganda film, FF to 1:15-ish.)

By: Abiezer

Abiezer — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:39:34 -0800

His main message seems to be don't serve in the 44th Foot/Royal Anglians, though.

By: RussHy

RussHy — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:19:14 -0800

I love the britishbattles link. Nice find.

By: RussHy

RussHy — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:29:17 -0800

Also, I'm sure this time things will be different, and we'll be able to occupy the country without any problems. /sarcasm

By: adamvasco

adamvasco — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:15:33 -0800

"When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains, Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains An' go to your Gawd like a soldier."
NATO Lessons: 1880 UK defeat at Maiwand-Afghanistan

By: binturong

binturong — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:50:48 -0800

Great resource. Tx.

By: geos

geos — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:27:44 -0800

Also, I'm sure this time things will be different, and we'll be able to occupy the country without any problems. /sarcasm posted by RussHy at 7:29 AM on January 1 what you mean 'we'.... oh right, how exactly did the US inherit the burdens of the British Empire: defending against the Persians/Russians?

By: Kadin2048

Kadin2048 — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:41:09 -0800

Also related.

By: rodgerd

rodgerd — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:57:31 -0800

Clearly the answer is that we must never study history.

By: parallax7d

parallax7d — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:10:20 -0800

I'm all from studying history and feel me must learn from the past. But the current situation is far different from the <20,000 troops that walked in from India over 100 years ago. Not that the Coalition will succeed, the problems are too large for a military solution. Luckily President Obama realizes this. Unfortunately the terrorists realize this too, hence Mumbai. Things are looking positive this year though, many more troops coming in, much of the Taliban pent up in Pakistan, a smart commander in chief taking over, and a Pakistan that is absolutely being forced to deal with it's crisis levels of internal and exported terrorism. Either that, or India invades and we call it a day.

By: adamvasco

adamvasco — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:42:06 -0800

Once more up the Khyber; Time To Start Learning About Afghanistan. Especially About That First Afghan War of 1838

By: IvoShandor

IvoShandor — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:30:28 -0800

Either that, or India invades and we call it a day. Indeed. That will probably be quite a warm day. Things are looking positive this year though, many more troops coming in, much of the Taliban pent up in Pakistan, a smart commander in chief taking over, and a Pakistan that is absolutely being forced to deal with it's crisis levels of internal and exported terrorism. Well, I don't know if the Taliban could be considered "pent up", they seem to be able to launch raids into Afghan territory at will. If you haven't seen "The War Briefing" yet (from Frontline) I highly recommend it. I completely disagree that more troops is a positive development here either. You say yourself that "the problems are too large for a military solution". One surge does not fit all.

By: IvoShandor

IvoShandor — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:33:09 -0800

And on another note, Pakistan is forced to deal with nothing. In fact, its more likely that they will do nothing, mostly because they cannot really do anything. Pakistan's central government is very weak, and mostly unable to exercise any control in the regions that are the biggest threat to NATO and Afghan forces.