In Regards to Ms. Lyndon's comment on the lack of upper crust and congressional son's support of the war. There are eight Congressmen today with children in Iraq, just over twenty children of Congressmen with terms spanning this war have served. The Son of Senator McCain has had two tours as a Marine Platoon Commander in Iraq. You are correct however, in stressing the importance of sending a royal to war. This was indeed a bold and deeply meaingful act.
Now, Mr. Hume. There is a marked difference between Conrad's description of blind fire, and the rules of engagement used today in Iraq/Afghanistan. In the media flooded world we live in today, one cannot afford to Fire blindly into a continent.

Alex, Toronto, Ontario

If the Taliban knew the Prince was in a Afghanistan, they would try everything to kill or capture him, putting the lives of British Soldiers at risk needlessly. Is getting your own citizens killed needlessly so you can sell some more papers worth it? With freedom of speech comes great responsibility. Just how was withholding this story a threat to free speech? The only request was to delay the story not bury it and the request was reasonable as people could become targets because of it. Some of the press showed great restraint and maturity in dealing with this story, it is sad that a soldier had to leave his comrades behind during a war because someone wanted to sell a few more papers.

Colin, Vancouver, Canada

i have also wondered before about mr chapman's suggestion but can western govt's really afford to buy ALL the Afghan opium crop? Correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't majority of the world's opium come from afghanistan, and since the heroin trade is a multi-billion dollar industry, that's a huge outlay..

p willis, london,

Why there at all? Mr Hume, I'm sure you consider yourself an intelligent and creative sort. I'm sure you can think of some possible reasons, even if you don't agree with them.

i.e., Norwich, England

One of the main reasons Afghans support the Taliban is economic. The Taliban provide a market for the opium poppies which is the only profitable crop . Western allies destroying a profiatable crop are never going to win friends. The solution is very simple. There is a shortage of opiates for medicinal use in the West. Simply pay a fair market rate to the Afghans for their crop and the taliban will lose their hold. If contracts were made for quantities to nbe delivered according to known yield per acre with a bonus paid for production in excess of this, the farmers would have an incentive to deliver all their crop to thw West. This would surely be more economically effective than waging war, not to mention the side effects of releasing troops from the field and reducing the supply of illegal drugs to the West.
Why does noone take this simple pragmatic view? It would work to the benfit of everyone - the basis of any good agreement.

c chapman, corridonia, italy

Good point Tedward -

Rambo 3 should definitely have been used by Tony Blair before invading Afghanistan (!!). I hear the Rambo films are renound for their realism and political accuracy.

T Jeanes, London,

I'm a Canadian steeped in confusion about the war, but I think you republican writer has missed the convoy here. In the United States, few, if any of the fighters in Iraq or Afghanistan come from the families of senators, congressmen or governors. I have heard no news stories of any active US military personnel named Bush. President Bush himself avoided overseas duty in Vietneam by avoiding duty in the National Guard. Ah, but don't they all support the troops.

Bravo Britain -- you sent your third in line to the throne. Monarchies are closer to the heart. Here is an example of why.

Susan Lyndon, Toronto, Ontario

I was watching Rambo 3 tonight and was struck by the nature of some of the dialog of the film. The way the Taliban were portraid as freedom fighters who would rather die than be ruled by a outside force. The little guy the Americans go to help. Perhaps Tony Blair should have watched this film before sending our troops out to die in this hellhole of a country. The Taliban attack and then sneak back across the border into Pakistan. The people in the border of this region are the Taliban. The west knows this but can't do anything to rock the political boat. The idea of creating political change in the region is quite the most stupid idea I have ever heard. The country has never had, and will never have a western style of government. When we finally leave this devastated country, the warlords and the Taliban will just carry on as usual growing poppies and selling to the west. We of course will insist that we won the battles, but we will have lost the war.

Tedward, Gosport, England