US was not pulling you into Afgan and Iraq - you was glad to lend them your halping hand in a time they don`t realy need it. And now you`r want to show them your back when situation becomes grim (and leave a real mess on our borders, wich is not funny).
Save as God of such an Allies.

Peter, Vladivostok, Russia

As a member of the UK forces, I find the comments from Brian of Syracuse ill informed and essentially dangerous US Neocon thinking. Britain is one of the few friends that the US has left within Europe and has stood toe to toe with them on the front line all the way. p.s have u ever visited Europe?

Dave, Plymouth, UK

Why do British forces always get the dirty end of the stick?
The Helmand province is by far the most dangerous and deadly operational area in this theatre of war. It's time for us to come home, we've shed enough blood and bankrupted the nation - whilst others look on!

Trevor Dee, Torbay, UK

Brits are much too tired from watching the Shia and Iranians mug the citizens of Basra. Cheerio ...carry-on.

Johnny, Philadephia, USA

If NATO forces withdraw from Iraq or Afghanistan in ignominy, it will be a disaster for the democratic world in the long term. The Moslem fanatics will hail this as a victory and prove to them that their God favours their fundamentalism. The war will follow us to our homes and our blood will flow.

Gordon Holmes, Birmingham, GB

I'm sure the US wants our troops. What for though, the war is pointless?

We should politely refuse and bring the troops home.

C Smith, Liverpool, UK

Uk should pull out of both "wars" and leave the US to deal with it, its their mess.

Gary, Sussex, UK

If germany and other european countries do not wish to have their troops engaged at the raw end of afghanistan fighting then OK then both America and Britain should move all their military resources from europe and let those european countries be responsible for their own defence.

will marshall, Carlisle, UK

Brian of Syracuse should direct his criticism against other members of NATO who are contributing less to the allied efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yes, I know, criticism of the U.K. is popular in the States.

laurie, tunbridge wells,

I have served in both Iraq and Afghanistan with the British Army, we are considerably smaller than US forces and simply cannot sustain both. To suggest that we are not fullfilling our NATO commitments is churlish and wildly uneducated. We have lost proportionally more troops in Afghanistan than any.

Mike, Oxford, UK

This is no phantom war. Ignoring it as clinton did worsened it.Its being faught far from home because of these actions. the west is now encircling the last remaining military of AQ but because its an ideology there will never be a victory/surrender and outbursts of violence will sprout out randomly.

craig, brisbane , Australia

Phantom wars? I could have sworn that it was Al Queda, supported by the Taliban that was responsible for our 9/11 and AQ that was also responsible for your 7/11. If you don't want to protect yourselves or support your defense treaty obligations then drop out of NATO.

Brian, syracuse, US

Out of the frying pan into the fire.

Whose kitchen is it anyway?

B. Arnold, Boston, UK

Sorry USA we don't have any money left to fight your never ending phantom wars.

Gavin, London, GB