Brits Raise Warnings on Iraq and Afghanistan

The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has issued its fifth report on the “war against terrorism”, warning that both Iraq and Afghanistan are on the verge of becoming failed states:

“Iraq has become a ‘battle ground’ for al Qaida, with appalling consequences for the Iraqi people. The coalition’s failure to bring law and order to parts of Iraq created a vacuum into which criminal elements and militias have stepped.”

“The insufficient number of troops in Iraq has contributed to the deterioration in security.


“The failure of countries other than the US and the United Kingdom to send significant numbers of troops has had serious and regrettable consequences, not only for the Iraqis but also in terms of the burden placed on UK resources and perceptions of the legitimacy of operations in Iraq.”

[snip]

“The alternative to a positive outcome in Iraq may be a failed state and regional instability.”

[snip]

“Fine communiqués and ringing declarations are no substitute for delivery of the forces and equipment which Afghanistan needs on the ground.”

“There is a real danger if these resources are not provided soon that Afghanistan – a fragile state in one of the most sensitive and volatile regions of the world – could implode, with terrible consequences.”

[snip]

At a news conference to launch the report, the committee chairman, Labour MP Donald Anderson, conceded that the invasion of Iraq had resulted in a heightened terrorist threat.

“It would be difficult to resist the argument that the threat has increased,” he said.