It is not impotence which makes the UK lose Afghanistan and Iraq. It is resistance to foreign aggression in those places. No campaign of violence or propaganda can persuade any people to accept colonialism and occupation.

Britain should have learned the lessons of it's past.

Bilal Patel, London, UK

Matthew and Paddy Ashdown agree that the situation in Afghanistan would be better had the Nato countries committed troops earlier and in more numbers. Then Mr Parris claims, in the very same article, that a country the size of Britain is impotent in foreign affairs!
This is just the sort of contradictory and defeatist thinking that must have the Jihadists rubbing their hands with glee. Europe needs to support the USA and NATO NOW in confronting the seminal threat of the 21st century. Otherwise, the front line may well move West and who could then blame the Americans for leaving us to fight our own battles?

arnoldo, Coventry,

One thing is for sure. No one is going to like this line of argument.
And yet, there can be no denying that it is the plain unmitigated truth. It is the reality and it is what must be done in the future.
But we have to extricate ourselves with honour.
We cannot leave Iraq or Afghanistan worse than they were before we went it.
In achieving an honourable exit, more lives will be lost and certainly a lot more money will have to be spent.
But what this Article clearly demonstrates is that the time has come for us never again to be in this position. The British Graveyards that are in Iraq and Afghanistan should have indicated to our Leaders that we should not have gone back again.
Brown has indicated that we will never go to war again without a clear public mandate. This better be carved in stone. We just are impotent in the face of most of the global problems. We must not be conned again that we can do more than we can.
The time has come for us to learn this Article's truth!

John Collins, Eastbourne, England

It just occurred to me that in a foreign policy controlled by Brussels world, the most rational mililtary strategy for member states would be to run down their capability as fast as possible. 'Gosh, we'd like to help, of course, but...'

I wonder if the Ghurkas count as a tradeable commodity?

Geoff, Sydney,

If the American government won't listen to it's own people it is ludicrous to think it cares a great deal about others.

Perhaps the best solution is dissolution - separate the US into a confederacy, actually - because I don't want to live as a southerner and they don't want to live like me. I'm sick of their stupid arguments about stem cells and abortions and creationism when it's all a mask for thievery

The same arguments hold against the UK getting too close to Europe - which is that minorities become expendable and regions are prioritized. It's fair and legal but if you happen to be in the 48% on the losing side it stinks. Prioritization stinks - sorry, wish I was a better man, a generous man, but I'm not

It's all geography, you know, that and the weather, that's why europe prospered - not maximum, but optimum conditions yield results

pray for rain

Glenn Schaefer, Holbrook, USA

It's so sad to read so often of so many Britons who have no idea what the Commonwealth is; or how respected the British are by Americans and, truth-be-told, the English-speaking world; across the globe, whenever anyone mentions the Queen, everyone knows who that is (even in Holland and Denmark with their regnant queens); this unsettling lack of national self-esteem is, I don't know what but it sucks.

Sean, San Jose CA, USA

Dear S ir,
How wonderful it could have all turned out to be, had Britain still had a rather home-made forign policy throughout the Iraqi episod; just like the good old days. Like any other litle people in this country, perhaps, I contiously fail to understand the significance of what is known as the "special relationship" between Britain and the US. Is it a tribal thing? Or is it simply the case that, this, once considered a great country, systematically, it failes to remember what it was liked to feel great without having urge the need to be seen close to the Americans. It is not as if Britain can no longer stand up for all those values that made this country great. It is rather the case of today's generation inside the British establishment, being so pathetic, that can no loger distinguish between soverignty and economic relationship with another country; especially, if that country is America. Harold Wilsons of British politics are truely being missed!

Mata Teimour Bakhtiar, Hitchin, England

We should also admit that the United States is no ally or friend of Britain or anyone else with the exception of Israel. The USA has and always will act independently and unilaterally for the furtherance of its own interests, as any student of the relations between Britain and the USA during and after World War II can attest. as one example. The USA considers itself to be "exceptional" and "top dog" and to hell with the rest of the world. The Iraq "adventure" is all about cementing the interests of the USA and Israel in the Middle East by establishing permanent bases and the same observation applies to the bellicose rantings against Iran which will be followed by military strikes .
It has always amazed me that Brits think that there is a "special" relationship beween the two. The United States was mired in treason against Britain from its beginning which Britain foolishly forgave and forgot. Britain should accept that it neither needs not should expect anything from that country

Brian Eastwood , Richmond, VA USA

For all the wah-wah rhetoric regarding Chamberlain that has swirled around in discussions on Iran, I apologize in advance for the cliche.

Nonetheless.

"Could we head the Americans off their chosen confrontation? Surely not."

has all the ring of actual appeasement. Not in the aforementioned "peace is appeasement is bad" strain, but in the more classical "here the motions of a dangerous evil unfurl before us to threaten world peace, we had better stay out of its way " sense.

Perhaps an explicit comparison:

'Could we head the Germans off their chosen confrontation? Surely not. '

Surely not, indeed. I applaud your braver decision.

Mark Rushmore, NJ, USA

Speaking as an "ex-pat' who has visited a number of countries, including China and India, you are underestimating what Britain stands for for many people who live in countries without basic freedoms or the opportunity for debate and criticism. Influence is about more than military or economic power, although Britain has plenty of both anyway still. Why do you Brits continue to run yourselves down and undervalue what you continue to offer the world?

Mark Flowers, Hamilton, New Zealand

Have we learned nothing from Suez? The quickest way to dissolve whatever remaining power and influence Britain has is to set up some false choice between Europe and America. Abandoning one and prostituting the British national interest to the other is not a solution.

Next year America will have a new President and a "special" bilateral relationship with the world's superpower, however limited it can be, might seem a better option than it does today. Don't forfeit it lightly.

Howard, Bedford,

At last Mr Parris has seen the light and recognises our true position in the world with no real clout. What will his Tory brethren think ?

Mike C., Shoreham By Sea, West Sussex

Such a depressing column but as the course Britain is taking sadly true. As an American I can be but always grateful that Britain was a staunch and reliable ally. But with the leftists stranglehold on the levers of power in public opinion and a general weariness at looking at an increasing never ending fight against Islamic extremism Matthew Parris's view is becoming louder on this side of the Atlantic. I look at the future and its not a pretty sight thats heading our way. Perhaps it was inevitable as with all empires that the west would one day fall. One cannot sustain a country's greatness based on materialism and consumption as the west has become. Once spirituality was removed from the public square and replaced with secularism the glue that holds societies together and provides it with a common purpose is gone. I see this country becoming "impotent" concerned with just keeping itself prosperous and happy. Maybe that will be a good thing. Let the world take care of itself.

Garry, Cburg, USA

Parris making sense again.
In fact I would go further and scrap the MOD and all the services. Who would militarily invade and conquer us? France, Germany, Italy? Brussels wouldn't let this happen.
Russia, China and India may invade and conquer us economically by immigrating and taking over the management of our national businesses, buying assets (London houses, Chelsea FC, water companies etc), and by producing better "knowledge workers" in their countries than we do in our second rate comprehensive schools and third tier red brick universities.
We can improve the world more by improving ourselves to compete in the new economy than invading foreign lands and having shoot'em ups in fruitless conflicts.

pepper, london,

I understand Matthew's pessimism. But we are not living in a bubble. The UK has a permanent seat on the Security Council and upholds most UN resolutions, with force if necessary (e.g. Afghanistan). It is one of the main European players in NATO, with many command responsibilities. It has some 50 Commonwealth defence commitments/obligations, e.g. Sierra Leone. And so on.

The main flaws are:.

We have run our industry down dangerously, with many high-tech elements taken over by other European countries. This undermines our wealth and international strength.

Ten years of robbery to pay for schools and health has cut the forces to hopelessly low manpower and equipment levels. To punch our weight, we need to spend a good bit more on defence.

Our political leadership on foreign policy has been awful. We are one-fifth the population of the US so can hardly tell them what to do. The EU is 1.5 times the population of the US so maybe it's a better forum from which to influence things.

royc, London, UK

A sensible article. Great Britain, along with France and Germany, haven't really mattered since 1945. The ordinary people of these countries have known this for a long time and don't care. Yet the chattering classes seem to yearn for 1914 when the world hung on to every word from London. Paris, and Berlin. Pathetic.

Jim Connors, Durham,

"I was conscious too that the Taleban is a way of thought first, an army second, and infinitely renewable. I wondered if we were out of our depth."

This doesn't sound like Matthew Parris, the hitherto tough-talking "vanquisher" of Catholicism (i.e. Spiritofvaticantwoism).

Kevin, London,

Extremely defeatest Mathew

Kakhi, London, The UK

There are ways to be post-imperial and not impotent: look at Japan.

More importantly, to write a whole article on British impotence in foreign policy and not mention the EU once is either strategic or truly ignorant. Britain has exactly one chance to stave off the slide into irrelevance (into museumhood), and it lies in Brussels. It'd be truly tragic if a nation I care about loses its clout because people are afraid of taking on a few Luxembourgish technocrats. Make the EU work or both you and it are history.

Jason, London,

Looks like we will definitely not be doing lunch any time soon. On this gringo side of the pond there is much thought given to what the English speaking peoples of the world have done together. We helped defeate the science gone mad of Nazi Germany. We stood up to and rendered asunder the gulag state of Stalinski. We broke up the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere of Tojo. We are now in a defining struggle against Islamofacists; those who embody all the worst in ourselves plus a whole lot more. It is a fight against those whose fervor is bourne along on waves of hatred so intense as to sear the souls of those who swim too close.

g.h. nolan, Miami, USA

Ah, so comes now the new British version of impotence - "I think I cant, I think I can't, I think I can't........"

The little British engine that couldn't.....a must read for not getting things done!

Harald Kasper, Herndon, Va., USA

What's so great about being powerful and influential? I'm not interested in the UK having the power to force other countries to do things they don't want to, either by military might or economic blackmail. I don't want to be on the receiving end of other contries' military might or economic blackmail. But that's about it. There are plenty of "impotent" countries that are prosperous and happy. So what's the problem?

georges, London, UK

Elsewhere in the Times a report of John Bolton's book sheds light on the US' real attitude to Britain.
As DisckW says the sun has long set on British influence. The only hope of promoting British interests (essentially stability and trade) now rests with the emerging EU foreign ministry. The EU, being the world's largest economy, is now the world's business regulator. The EU has the economic clout to shape a foeign policy. As Iraq has shown, military muscle has had its day, it is economic muscle that matters now.

Eddie Reader, birmingham, uk

This is one of the most sensible comments I ve read for a long time.
Michael G - what is the relevance of your comment to this piece?

dhrowlands, cardiff,

Michael G - would that include the 70% of Americans who are descended from these so called "Euroloons"?

Jon Kingsbury, Southampton, UK

Thanks a bunch Michael G - but I'd rather remain part of Europe than be part of America. John

John Batten, LONDON, UK

What's wrong (in this context) with being impotent?
The expression "punching above our weight" has always bothered me. A country should honour whatever it decides its obligations are but beyond that, what's wrong with keeping its head down?
There is a wonderful American expression "I don't have a dog in that fight".

Ken Nielsen, Sydney, Australia

This article on Britains power has me so depressed its hard to even comment on it.

All I can think to say is. Collectively as a nation, maybe you should all watch a Rocky movie and get what you once had back!!

Murph, Madisonville, USA/KY

I certainly accept Matthew's view of sitting on the fence when international conflicts arise as most our Euro-partners have done Also along with about 70% of British voters I would love to do so without interference from the Tower Block Politics being thrust upon us by Gordon Brown and the European Socialist Movement.. This leaves me pondering what the reals aims of Brown, Blair, Mandelson and others may be within Europe.

Robert Carmichael, Hull., East Yorks.,

It's not so much power as influence that has gone. We have lost our integrity over decision to invade Iraq on false claims of WMD and towed the US line because we value them more than relations with the rest of the world. Ask any foreign national and they will tell you we are regarded as Bush's poodle.

weedenbroon, wirral, UK

There isnt a politician in the world who can predict the results of their actions they blindly send the military in and hope nothing goes wrong witness Iraq and the rest.Time has come as you say to stop pretending and not get involved joining Europe is a huge mistake it will be/is badly led and cause more problems than it solves, with a huge military some fool will use it and we will be stuck again they never learn and belive their own hubris that this time it will work.

mitch, wolverhampton, England

We're not big enough. So become a powerful part of something that is. Support the EU - and, yes, cleanse it with fire and sword! - and develop it into a United States of Europe.

Noel Falconer, COUIZA, France

In earlier post, I had written “to chew more than Britain can”. When it comes to international joker, Tony Blair anything goes! Let us correct it as: Tony was trying to make Britain bite more than it could chew!

By the by, keep the joker Tony Blair around. We are missing free entertainment!
Regards,

Krishna R. Kumar, Udupi, India

I agree with Mathew. This country has no real clout anymore. We are an industrial "hasbeen" dependent entirely on high rates of consumption and financial services to keep our economy chugging along. Now a net oil importer we can't even claim to be important as energy supplier anymore.

Personally I don't understand why anyone bothers to talk to us. Our only international role seems to be to give credence to what the USA does.

DickW, Aberdeenshire,

Come on Matthew, why don't you write what you really think, you and the rest of the Euroloons. You won't be happy until our foreign policy is completely controlled by Brussels. No need to be ashamed, a perfectly valid standpoint and one that would have much more legitimacy today if the Heathites had been honest about it from the start.

Michael G, London,

You have got it exactly right.We have achieved so little in Iraq or Afghanistan at a dreadful cost in young lives.We carry on policing the world, while the world looks on.We still act like the problems of the world are ours. Well,they are not and its time we woke up to that.

John Bennett, Exeter, U.K.

"Lingering imperial dreams"? Mathew Parris is living in the distant past.

Anyone who thinks that Britain's role in the Middle East is motivated by imperial nostalgia is shaping an unreal world to flatter his own illusions.

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/US

"We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." as Palmerston once said. So in fact you can make a difference if you just stand up to America and begin to act in accordance with British national interests, not American ones. The question is whether or not your current or future government has enough courage and determination to do so or you will always play second fiddle to America.

Ilya, Saint Petersburg, Russia