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From The Sunday Times

December 21, 2008

Britain has lost the stomach for a fight

Michael Portillo

Last week Gordon Brown announced a date for Britain’s withdrawal from Iraq. Most troops will be back in time for a spring general election. The prime minister posed with soldiers and expressed his sorrow over yet more fatal casualties in Afghanistan. He did not dwell on Britain’s humiliation in Basra, nor mention that this is the most inglorious withdrawal since Sir Anthony Eden ordered the boys back from Suez.

The fundamental cause of the British failure was political. Tony Blair wanted to join the United States in its toppling of Saddam Hussein because if Britain does not back America it is hard to know what our role in the world is: certainly not a seat at the top table. But, for all his persuasiveness, Blair could not hold public opinion over the medium term and so he cut troop numbers fast and sought to avoid casualties. As a result, British forces lost control of Basra and left the population at the mercy of fundamentalist thugs and warring militias, in particular Moqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army.

The secondary cause of failure was a misplaced British disdain for America, shared by our politicians and senior military. In the early days in Iraq we bragged that our forces could deploy in berets and soft-sided vehicles while US forces roared through Baghdad in heavily armoured convoys. British leaders sneered at the Americans’ failure to win hearts and minds because of their lack of experience in counterinsurgency.

Pride has certainly come before a fall. British commanders underestimated both the enemy’s effectiveness and the Americans’ ability to adapt. Some apparently failed even to observe how much had changed. At a meeting in August 2007 an American described Major-General Jonathan Shaw, then British commander, as “insufferable”, lecturing everyone in the room about lessons learnt in Northern Ireland, which apparently set eyeballs rolling: “It would be okay if he was best in class, but now he’s worst in class.”

Around the same time Jack Keane, an American general, moaned that it was frustrating to see the “situation in Basra that was once working pretty well, now coming apart”. By then General David Petraeus had been appointed US commander, introducing intelligence and determination in equal measure.

If a fair-minded account of the Iraq war is written, credit should go to President Bush for rejecting two years ago the report by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group that called for force reductions. He defied conventional wisdom and ordered a troop surge instead. It has been an extraordinary success and, unlike Britain, the Americans will not withdraw in defeat. During debates in Washington, British forces’ ignominious withdrawal to barracks was cited to argue that the United States could not contemplate being humbled in a similar way. In the end Bush was not a quitter. Blair “cut and ran”.

Britain’s shaming was completed in March 2008 when Iraqi forces, backed by the US, moved decisively against the Mahdi Army, inflicting huge casualties and removing them from Basra. Operation Charge of the Knights was supervised by Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, exasperated that Iraq’s second city was controlled not by Britain but by an Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia.

Trust in the British had fallen so low that neither the Iraqi nor the US government was willing to give us much notice of the operation. General Mohammed Jawad Humeidi remarked that his forces battled for a week before receiving British support. He rubbed salt in the wound by noting that for five years the Mahdi Army had “ruled Basra without being punished or held to account”, and had during that time controlled ports, oil, electricity and government agencies, whose funds bought them weapons.

It cannot be a defence of British policy that the war was unpopular at home. Our mission was to provide security for the Iraqi people, and in that the US and Maliki’s government have recently had marked success and we have failed. The fault does not lie with our fighters. They have been extremely brave and as effective as their orders and their equipment would allow.

It raises questions about the stamina of our nation and the resolve of our political class. It is an uncomfortable conclusion that Britain, with nuclear weapons, cruise missiles, aircraft carriers and the latest generation of fighter-bombers, is incapable of securing a medium-size conurbation. Making Basra safe was an essential part of the overall strategy; having committed ourselves to our allies we let them down.

The extent of Britain’s fiasco has been masked by the media’s relief that we are at last leaving Iraq. Those who have been urging Britain to quit are not in a strong position to criticise the government’s lack of staying power. Reporting of Basra has mainly focused on British casualties and the prospect for withdrawal. The British media and public have shown scant regard for our failure to protect Iraqis, so the British nation, not just its government, has attracted distrust. We should reflect on what sort of country we have become. We may enjoy patronising Americans but they demonstrate a fibre that we now lack.

The United States will have drawn its conclusions about our reliability in future and British policy-makers, too, will need to recognise that we lack the troops, wealth and stomach for anything more than the briefest conflict. How long will we remain in Afghanistan? There, in contrast to our past two years in Basra, our forces engage the enemy robustly. But as a result the attrition rate is high. We look, rightly, for more help from Nato allies such as Germany, although humility should temper that criticism, given our own performance in Iraq.

The mood in the Ministry of Defence is said to be despondent. The government, having used our forces in Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, has been unwilling to increase the budget. Having announced that he would fight the recession by bringing forward public spending, Brown has pushed back the date of two new aircraft carriers. The Conservatives are too cautious about public spending to make promises. The recession is likely to bring further cuts because neither party sees votes in defence. Nor is either willing to talk of reducing commitments or of specialising in particular defence roles.

Prestige apart, it is hard to explain why we have nuclear weapons, and what price prestige, if it is clear to the world that we could not protect the civilians of a single city in Iraq?

Blair’s military adventures exposed the gap between Britain’s pretensions and capabilities and perhaps between our aspirations and national character. Leaving Basra closes a chapter and Britain now pursues a new delusion. Whereas Blair posed as a global leader by jetting from capital to capital to build military coalitions, Brown circumnavigates the planet to save the world from bankruptcy (albeit by increasing borrowing).

Perhaps we will not be alone in having to downsize our ambitions after the chastening experience of Iraq. The rhetoric about Afghanistan is changing. All-out victory is rarely mentioned. There is talk of securing Kabul and doing deals with the Taliban. It is tough luck if you are a woman in the Afghan countryside, but international attention is turning to Pakistan and Somalia. The allies cannot hope to control the vast terrain within failed states where Al-Qaeda may set up its camps, and the attempt to do so may help the terrorist cause more than incapacitate it.

The election of Barack Obama opens new policy options for America. His administration will use his charisma and other elements of “soft power” to forge alliances and reduce tensions. He may still look to Britain for a larger contribution to forces in Afghanistan. If Albion proves unreliable he may not be surprised. It seems that British forces tortured his Kenyan grandfather.

Rudyard got it right a century ago....
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";

Matt Mulvihill, Los Angeles, USA

The truth is the political will to continue the fight isn't there because our politicians know the public feel they were lied to about WMD and what we have done is put ourselves in greater danger from extremists rather than making ourselves safer.

richie, Middlesbrough, England

If you send men to war on dodgy dossiers and a lack of credible evidence,you fail as a leader. You fail the troops because you fear political fall out over troop number,costs and casualties. You fail the Iraqis for unachieved expectations and you undermine the nations pride. Blair did all this

S Taylor, Norwich, UK

As per usual the British soldier has been let down by the British politician. Asked to do to much with to little to often, and at the same time tied by political constraints and senior comanders who fail to adapt to the changing situation as our American allies have done.

Marcus, Kabul, Afghanistan

It comes to something where the majority of posters commenting about the alleged 'lack of fight' of the British forces in Iraq are not British.

Martin Caldwell, London, UK

The problems with Britain is the same as the problem with the USA, but on steroids. Multiculturalism, political correctness, and feminization of society have slowly eroded a British sense of purpose. When you are taught to look down on patriotism, UK history, and nationalism, this happens.

Trey, Fairfax,

Excellent analysis. Hopefully some reinforcements will be sent to Afghanistan. Books like "Contact Charlie" and "Kandahar Tour", which cover the Canadian Army, show the immense gap between what is happening over there and what the media reports. Our troops are gaining the trust of Afghanis.

Ed B, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Politicians do not trust us and justify every move to control us by teaching us not to trust each other- so too many vote for a nanny. Therefor they afraid to tell us bad news in case we can't take it and vote for another nanny. Once we had a leader who offered blood sweat and tears.

Pat, Chelmsford,

From the reports I have seen, British troops are first rate, display individual gallantry and valor that are the equal of any who served in the glory days of the British Empire.
It wasn't the individual soldiers then. In the end, all military failure is the product of cowardly politics.

B Dubya, Oswego, NY, USA

The author has a point. The martial prowess of the UK, birthplace of the greatest culture in history, seems to be melting away like snow in the sun. Is it because Brits know deep down that they don't really need and army and navy anymore, that US forces will always look after them?

Lewin W. Wickes, Millerstown, USA

Thank you for a good article.

I do wonder how many of the morally-superior anti-war types bother to count how many Iraqis Saddam himself killed before foreigners removed him, how many of his Baathist loyalists, Iranian proxies, and Islamist lunatics kill the most now. Obama was anti-war for votes.

Roger Godby, Tokyo, Japan

We Americans have a high opinion of the average British soldier and a very high opinion of the British special forces. Our opinion wobbles a bit when it comes to field grade officers who, while still excellent, project an aristocratic elitism which rubs democratic Americans the wrong way.

Steve Gregg, Washington, DC

Amazing. Most of the comments here prove Portillo's point perfectly. What a wasteland of sheep. Moral superiority is the last refuge of a coward.

jim, Chicago,

Now you know why we're developing India and China as allies.

Tristan, Bethesda, United States

Hats off to the brave soldiers of Great Britain and the Commonwealths. You have something of the same problem there as we do in the U.S., namely that your soldiers are worthier men than the political and cultural elites who wold lead them.

Portillo seems a good sort; we could use more like him.

Pete , Elk Grove, IL , USA

Well, finally an English commentator with the stomach to accept the response which can be expected, problem is, he is adressing the deaf.

wpo, warsaw, ny

It was enormously helpful to the US that the British were there. While they may be leaving now, they were there while many others were not. That is my memory.

Robert Smith, Los Angeles, US

Interesting back-and-forth. Many thoughtful People think that the coming century will be one of New Great Powers rather than bipolar competition or unipolar dominance. What Britian's role will be in that may well depend on whether the aformentioned left-wing commentariat ever reads Orwell.

Andrew Patrick, Bel Air, United States

Difficult for any honest army to fight for a war criminal.

DAVID, swansea, uk

Iraq was America's fight from the start. Britain gave us international cover, along with its precious men and material. It is always good for a country to reflect on its actions but Americans don't feel betrayed in the least bit and are grateful for the help that was given. GOD BLESS TONY BLAIR

Steve, Philadelphia, USA

If some of these posters would read the military blogs instead of just the newspaper ones they would learn something. Its like a factory, if you want to know whats really happening, talk to someone working the line.

Chris Marks, Boca Raton, USA

British Soldiers served proudly and bravely,but just like American
Soldiers,they can become victims of bad planning and defeatist attitudes in the media and political atmosphere.We have freed 50 million people in Iraq/Afghanistan.Waving the peace sign and UN speeches accomplished nothing.

Baxter Greene, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Excellent, insightful commentry.

I agree with Doug from Philly, very brave indeed.

Alex, Newcastle, UK

We Americans honor the sacrifice made by the brave British soldiers in Iraq, despite what appears to be the failures of their leaders.

Badger Bill , Madison, Wisconsin , USA

The British soldier has proved his metal in conflicts spanning the globe and history. I would proudly stand beside any of Britain's finest in any conflict against any foe. I cannot say the same for her politicians.

Richard, Houston, USA

As usual an excellent analysis from Michael Portillo.Some day the Consevative party will realise what they missed in not voting you leader.

Harry Advani, London, United Kingdom

As always, the comments of some readers are just as enlightening as the article. I pray for the British nation to become again those "who like to be told how bad things are" and do something about it, against all odds.
The world could use it.

Pavel Bouska, Boulder, CO, USA

The Taliban only have AK47s and RPGs ranged against the combined might of the 'West' and they are more of a force than ever. You would have though the the 'West' would have realised that these people are not going home because thay are already there. This war is unwinnable.

Ian, Nanteuil, FRANCE

Maybe Michael should actually read the Iraq Study Group report. The most likely alternative it suggested was to increase troops. BUT... the increase was not seen as a long term solution without national reconciliation. Anyone not realizing that this is still true today is doomed to failure in Iraq

DougG, San Francisco, USA

"it is hard to know what our role in the world is"

Britain's role has always been to lead and educate the world with our own brand of right-thinking, just, moral leadership. The US are a moral vacuum.

Blair saw glory, just as Thatcher did in the Falklands. Pure folly. The BBC is our future!

Ken, Carlisle, Cumbria

Mr Portillo has never seen, as the saying goes, 'an angry German ' , yet he is always quick to call on others to be brave and show moral and physical courage. If he is so concerned he should go to Iraq and show our troops how to do it. The worst of all Generals are the ones sitting in armchairs.

Dave Bush, York, yorks

War on a shoe-string as usual. Amazing penny-pinching on the one hand coupled with enormous waste and failure on the other. Typically British! It has happened time and time again in our history. Our small, over-stretched army on active service coping with defence cuts? Will we ever learn here?

Gordon Holmes, Birmingham, GB

This is a powerful article, in spite of the excuses of some readers. Considering Britain's splendid military history and sacrifices causes it believes in, it's apparent non-belief in anything that might be too dangerous is troubling, at best.

Jay, Wayland, MA, USA

If the US was so successful how is a man who was so opposed to the war about to become president???

This is a war we should never have fought, it was a war that could have been opposed but wasn't. The problem with Portillos article is that alot of people were saying much of this before the war

Paul, Cleethorpes, UK

9/11 was the reason for George Bush to invade Iraq;O.K. T.blair,who knows.Little Iraqui girls losing their eyes..terrible...I want to be on their side.Tony Blair with his big words and mansions.. sick.I understand the middle east wanting to take revenge. Good fences make good neighbours.

Owen Reed, Middlesbrough, England

All of this is entirely beside the point. British forces should never have entered Iraq, and the sooner they leave the better. The Americans have succeeded in killing many,many more Iraqis and in supporting their own puppet government. When they leave everything they have done will fall apart.

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

The British officer class learned nothing from Northern Ireland. The situation in Basra mirrored the IRA No-Go zones of the 1970's.

Bill, Belfast, N.I.

"It cannot be a defence of British policy that the war was unpopular at home."

Britain was not defeated on the battlefields of Iraq. She was weakened and defeated by a carping, self loathing left wing commentariate.

Basra might have been a fiasco but the battle for Britain is a tradegy.

Jim Duncan, Valla, Australia

Britain's failure in Iraq brings to mind the U.S. failure in Viet Nam. We did not lose on the battlefield, we lost in the media. Following stunning victories in the field, news commentators declared the soldier's victories as attacks on civilians and the war lost.

The media was the enemy.

Ray, Rapid City, South Dakota USA

Fortunately Britain's Armed Forces have not so far 'lost the stomach for a fight'. But faced with this continuing lack of moral fibre in the civil population bred by the 'Nanny State' policies of New Labour it won't be long before they give up too - in disgust!

MGG, Auckland, NZ

British troops were sent off to war on the flimsiest of excuses with boy-scout equipment & and weak kneed politicians egging them on. Nothing about this whole sorry chapter of anglo-american co-operation will ever be regarded by future historians as a "success".

Negv, Paris, France/UK

Sad situation. Afghanistan will go the same way if the British continue under the delusion they can win these conflicts with a single Brigade. At present its not a long-term engagement, its just a stalemate.

Alonso, Barcelona, Spain

Its patently obvious that US policy in Iraq, pre and post "surge" has been an unmitigated disaster. Just because a few areas in Iraq are considered "safe" does not imply that its a success. It could be deemed a success if all foreign forces withdraw today and Iraqi government survives. Fat chance !

John Taylor, London,

I fail to understand how you can describe any action in this war as an 'extraordinary success'? There's hundreds of thousands dead, maybe millions, we've witnessed torture, sectarian bloodshed and millions of refugees fleeing the country.

Only someone in the west would dare use the word success.

Owen, London, UK

Sensible words from the best Prime Minister we never had. Portillo is a man of integrity through and through - and maybe that's why he left politics.
I wish he'd come back. HM Opposition seems to have forgotten how to oppose.

Dave White, Notts, UK

Gosh, I don’t believe it; a self-critical article that doesn’t blame all the world’s ills on George Bush. Glad to see there still is some honest perspective in the world.

Cogs, Wisconsin, USA

"It cannot be a defence of British policy that the war was unpopular at home."

Not on it's own perhaps. But add to that the lies, deceit and illegalities that were the foundation of the invasion in the first place. Then we have a very uninspiring cause, in which participants behave accordingly.

Mike, Perth, Perthshire

I do not understand why we (British) insist on trying to 'punch above our weight' both militarily and diplomatically, unless it is to increase the self aggrandisement of our politicians. The cost in financial terms and in lives lost is intolerable.

Robert Sullivan, Crawley, United Kingdom

What a shame that Portillo did not become PM. A great man.

Chris, London,

Can someone please tell me. What was the war about?

Did I hear "get rid of a dictator" ?

Well, I am glad to hear that Maliki is not a dictator and that Iraq is now a "democracy"

Alfred, Isle of Wight, UK

We are a bankrupt country with1% of the world's population and should use our forces to defend our borders, from illegal immigrants would be a start, and our people trapped in overseas conflicts. Leave the regime changes, police and peace keeping to the remaining 99%.

Tony Gee, London,

An excellent article. Perhaps it is time for Britain to adopt a more realistic role as a major European power, which it certainly is and will remain, but not a global power; which it is not anymore, and which Iraq demonstrates cruelly. A common EU foreign policy needs to be developed, urgently.

Paul, Carlow, Ireland

Defeat? I thought the whole point was to create an Iraqi force that would take control of Basra and stand up to the local insurgents, and that is exactly what has happened?

Richard, London, England

As an American I am fortified to hear a Brit stand and say what needs to be said more often in both of our countries. With all that your great , great nation has done for the entire world over the ages, you and your closest allies are now on notice from the most relentless enemy we have ever known.

Guy Schmidt, Northlake, Illinois

Jim Wills - Brisbane. I do assure you that this type of warfare is not new, indeed there are dozens of conflicts dating back hundreds of years. The master of the conventional battlefield (Montgomery) was also experienced in this type of warfare - also look up Sir Gerald Templar.

Wills, Southampton, UK

It's too early to be calling the American surge a success....victory will take time to see. Jim from Brisbane is soo right.....Western forces should be developing the asymetric envelope far harder than al queda.

tom, NY, USA

I raise my glass to all British servicemen and women.
Heroes, one and all.
Merry Christmas to GREAT Britain, and may 2009 be a better year for everybody.

Tom W., Los Angeles, California, USA

If we have lost this virtue, though we have gained much else, we are poorer indeed.

Ben , New York, USA

I hope our commanders assessments of what we can acheive there will be what deployment decisions are based on. The lives of our troopers are more valuable than the cost of a dent to our ego because the US thinks we don't have the stomach for it. We have too much pride to let that cloud our view.

John, London, UK

Brilliant, thoughtful commentary. Brave really

Doug, Philly, US

Excellent, refreshing article!

Jonathan, Glasgow,

War today is not little soldiers lined up in uniforms, but small groups of killers looking like everybody else. The perfect camouflage. The armies of today are being defeated by these small groups of hit and run fighters hiding among the population. Its time the generals realized this and copied.

Jim Wills, Brisbane, Australia

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