British officials are confirming tonight that top US military officials have issued a “blunt warning” to UK military commanders not to go along with any calls by Prime Minister David Cameron to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan.
Cameron was confirmed last week to be pushing the military for plans to begin a pullout by July, to coincide with the nominal US drawdown allegedly coming at the same time. Cameron was also said to be keen on having the pullout finished before the 2014 general election.
British military commanders met this call with resistance, and have urged the Cameron government to formalize a plan to keep the troops in Afghanistan for years after 2014. The inclusion of the US warnings adds more context to these calls.
Indeed, the reports have the US military cautioning that a British pullout could do serious damage to US-UK ties, and has British officials confirmed that the “special relationship” between the two nations could be over if the Conservative prime minister does not commit to an open-ended involvement in the US-led war.
To Hell with a special relationship, just pull out the troops now. Special relationships with the USA mean that you do as they say or you will get wacked. Canada will be out by this summer except in some token training role. Other countries should vamoose as well and let the Americans die slowly in their own predicament. What, is America going to bribe other partners to do their will with money that they have to borrow from China? Give me a break!
Did I miss something? Is the US suggesting a coup in GB?? As far as special relationship goes that seems distinctly one-sided. Perhaps the Brits would view it as more special if the US stepped up a little more in Libya, not that I think that's a good idea.
What is the benefit to Britain (or any western country), of "US ties"? Insults? Commands? Being barked at?
The Brits ought to say "screw the US and their 'special relationship'"
More "warnings"? Are they planning some sort of "incident" to keep the players fearfully in line?
"warnings" are accepted way of conveying messages and convincing others to willingly provide cannon fodder.
At least Cameron is trying to be realistic. Britain has had a long history with Afghanistan. Obama will wait until after the election next year before he starts pulling out US troops because he too is realistic but does not want the Republicans saying that he was the man " who lost Afghanistan" going into this election.
Godfather Obama is in Afghanistan because of the Trans-Afghan Pipeline. Get out now !
Politicians must decide and army has no right to resist, no doubt they get money but treausry is empty.
We are fighting unjust war for american lies on 9/11 and the world is suferring at large. Hell will american genocide.
What the hell are "US military officials" doing telling foreign militaries what they must do? They're not supposed to decide foreign policy. These military officials seem to think they are now the state department. It seems like the military is running the country.
It seems.
Breaking news PM David Cameron has been locked in the bathroom at No. 10 by Sir James Jeffrey Corfield Bucknall, CBE, OW and is not being permitted to leave. A food slit has been cut in the door. Developing.
I wonder how much of this is to make sure the British National Party does not take hold?
What F****** right does the US military have to tell other countries militaries what to do? Who are they to threaten anyone? They are supposed to be taking their orders from Wasington. The devil take this "special relationship" BULL****. The British have gained nothing from it at all that I can see. Indeed it has cost them much. The UK would be better off in every possible way if it abandoned the "special relationship". Somebody needs to tell Downing street that the WW2 sentimental bombast nonsense is obsolete and kaput. Seriously, the "special relationship" and a quarter won't buy an Englishman a cup of cofeee….but it will get them killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Alarming, alarming, indeed. Maybe Obama, who promised us a good war in Afghanistan, should take a look and see why the British lackeys are getting ready to leave, as they left Iraq.
Hang on mate! I thought we in 'OZ' had the special relationship with the US? We were your bloody 'deputy sheriff' in South East Asia….remember? Well f*** you, we quit!
If our Govt. had any decency and honour they should have pulled us out of the middle east 'killing fields' years ago.
We do not need American approval to get out, we just need to get out! America is on the way out, permanently! Sorry folks, our dollar buys around $1.07 American (and rising) there is talk of $1.40 American in the next 12 months or so. Unemployment rate 4.8% and falling! (we will need many thousands of immigrants to our 'lucky country' for at least the next 10 years or so) Social services for ALL who require them. Come on yanks, get out while you can.
Australia……A Social Democracy at work.
Canada also seems to think it has some kind of "special relationship" with America. Maybe the US is a closet bigamist.