Imagine the outcry if the Russians started arming the resistance the same way that the CIA did in their era.

BeyondWar IsPeace, Nice, France

What is this "special relationship" with the United States? We got dragged into Iraq, we got dragged into Afghanistan, we are economically at risk because of the actions of American banks,. What next? Iran? Supporting Israeli attacks? It's time the UK collaborated with Europe, where it belongs.

Clare, Gwaenysgor, UK

It is surely a good idea to leave Afghanistan now. What is worrying is that the troops may to leave a democratic government installed.Tt must be some form of ditatorship. After all, in part, democracy has failed in the UK (and I suspect the USA) because the electors don't want to be in Afghanistan!

Rodney S. Barker, Gainsborough, England UK

Anyone can see the truth in your headline, except the UK and American governments who, as the price goes up in the form of coffins, the electorate will take a firm line....but then, do any of them really care, unless it is their son/brother/father who is in the coffin. Let us show our government!

Derek Clifton, Andover, Hampshire, England

Does anybody know of a foreign country that has invaded Afghanistan successfully. There is not one. It was never incorporated into India or Russia in the 19th century and all incuirsions there have proved disastrous. We cannot win there. Let's get out!

Reg Sinclair, Dunbar, UK

Actually, aXg, Afghanistan is extremely rich in natural resources, not least of which is a huge and untapped reserve of natural gas.

Vierotchka, Geneva, Switzerland

Yes, lets quit and run home and hope evil doesn't follow. After all we can all see Iraq is LOST!
Oh sorry, that was LAST year. I'll try to keep my defeatism straight.

Steve W from Ford, Spokane, USA

It is insane for the British and other nations to be sending our young men and men and women to die fighting to bring peace to Afganistan when the Afgan people thank us by sending hard drugs to our countries that poison our young people and create social breakdown

garth wiseman, london, england

"best hope was to install an acceptable dictator"
Or we could let Afghanis choose their own leaders?
Nah, democracy is for wimps!

Paul, UK,

There can be no success for NATO forces whilst parts of Pakistan remain a safe haven for the Taliban. Where we cannot/will not extend meaningful operations into Pakistan territory, then serious considerations of a withdrawl are valid. Consequent to which the Taliban will return quickly into power.

william wilton, Preston Lancs, England

I don't really know what we are doing there anyway. Can't save them from themselves, the country has no legal natural resources to build and maintain itself, and Islam makes tourism impossible. Never was worth the effort. They are not looking for western values, so let them go back to who they are

aXg, Phoenix, USA

History shows us that the only way to win a war in Afghanistan is not to get involved in one in the first place.

Kate, Southampton, UK

Since when is Le Canard Enchaîné is a "respected French weekly"? Last time I looked, it was the same old tired Communist rag it's always been...

paul, Columbia, USA

On what planet is the Land Rover at the top of this article a 'tank'?

Robin, Bristol,

Well thats a surprise. Nato needs to withdraw and leave Afghanistan to the Afghans, Democracy western style would never work.

Gabriel, Dublin, Ireland

No occupying force has ever succeded in pacifying the Afghans, and no one ever will. the current crop of political retards have not learnt the lesons of history whether it be banking and finance or foreign policy.lots of young men have given their lives for nothing except oil and political vanity.

Paul Miller, Dorchester,

7 years this month and no sign at all of victory. The Russians were there for 8 years before they left. Deja vu.

Michael Fremlins, London, UK

I think Afghanistan provides a graphic proof of how erroneous people may be when they insist that European-style democracy suits anyone anyplace. When it comes to multifaceted traditionalist societies like the Afghan one, Western democracy clearly fails to deliver the goods.

Dmitry, Moscow,

I think it's interesting that even Britain finds distasteful the staple of the American foreign policy diet. Namely, propping up a strongman that will oppress all democratic institutions. This is the true reason for American unilateralism; the rest of the industrialized world is too civilized.

Richard, San Francisco, USA

Yeah, because there's such a great history of prop dictators working out so well. GREAT IDEA.

Matt, CT, USA

I agree it's unwinnable and we should pull out. It must be dressed up in such a way that Islam can't claim a victory.

Phill, The Wirral, England

The U.S. involvement in Afghanistan has become maddened. Sadly, some number of Nato allies go along. The mistakes will not be fixed by either of our Presidential candidate.

r m reddicks, covington, ky, usa

The West, despite it's history of defeats in the Frontier region between Pakistan and Afghanistan, continues to impose itself . You think we'd would take lesson from the past ! Karzai, the US and the allies are about ready to exit. Give it another 30-50 years this will happen again, somewhere else.

Intrepid, Los Angeles,

Good luck to Sir Sherard if he thinks the govt. will even try to convince the US to change strategy if they know that they won't stand a chance. Election year soon and faces must be saved more so than the lives of our troops!

James, Leicester,

Thnk you for speaking up. Karzai is a tyrant in sheeps clothing and an American lackey. Ther Warlords still rule areas outside Kabul. Its time we brought the troops home and looked for a negotiated settlement.

hamad Lone, London, England

Lets see the time lag between this memo and the government confirming our worst fears.

So what was the pont of it at all?

Girish, Cambridge, UK,

Perhaps if we had less political correctness and our history was not denied us, we would learn from the past.

As in the 1800's the best policy would have been to kick backsides and then leave the blasted country ! Look what happened to every army that has stayed ! Leaderless, sitting ducks.

slade wallis, Retford, Great Britain

Assessment from our NATO "allies" who have 2 million under arms but only 70,000 fighting forces. Among them German, Italian and Spanish forces in Afghanistan are forbidden from combat. The French, until lately, were also spectators.
Either put up or shut up.

Karim, Fairport, NY, USA

the Yanks will just fall back on the indiscriminate slaughter of civilians as usual, if I know them. it'll be another Vietnam- it's showing all the symptoms already

peter c, Devizes, Wessex

Witht the experience of British Raj and recent experiences of Russia behind us we should have been very careful before commencing military occupation. A senior Russian official I met while on holiday in Norway said he was sitting back and enjoying the fun. It is a disaster for us. Thanks Blair.

Sinna Mani, London, uk

... so we had best stop meddling, bring our troops home, save lives, and cut costs? Now, that isa good idea!

Richard, Chesterfield, UK