Losing their way? [Britain's armed forces]

The Economist ^ | Jan 29 09 | The Economist

[GSP.FAN]

The British army suffers from lack of soldiers, lack of money and lack of conviction

[GSP.FAN]

Underlying this malaise is concern about Britain’s relationship with America, its most important ally. Generals worry that the United States is losing confidence in Britain’s military worth. Some Americans have indeed been expressing doubts: policymakers ask whether British leaders are losing the will to fight, soldiers whether their British counterparts are losing the ability to do so. There is talk that Britain is becoming “Europeanised”, more averse to making war and keener on peacekeeping. Britain remains America’s closest and most able ally; its special forces are particularly prized. But one senior official in the former Bush administration says there is “a lot of concern on the US side about whether we are going to have an ally with the capability and willingness to be in the fight with us”. He is bemused by the “tyranny of the lawyers” who constrain British military operations and dumbfounded by how “you only see British officers wearing their uniforms when they come to visit Washington, not in London.”

Socialism at work.

[randomhero97]

The question is will the Brits import more “youths” to fill the void?

[2banana]

I have worked with the SAS - good soldiers. The Royal Marines are good too - but there are only 2000 of them. The Rhode Island National Guard has more soldiers.

[max americana]

It’s a good read. Long but very informative. Regardless of what we may think of the Brits, they will always be our allies.

[dianed]

If the British forces have no conviction, it matters not whether they are funded or increased in number.

[centurion316]

There is nothing wrong with the British Soldier. His government, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. God save the British Soldier and protect him from his political masters. God save the American Soldier and protect him from his new political masters.

[Thrownatbirth]

It’s tough to navigate the North Sea without a Brit onboard.

[GSP.FAN]

If America is not careful we will end up the same way.
The Brits use to be brought up to be proud of Britain,now that socialism is so entrenched in the country everybody expects everything for free,as we all know freedom is not free.

[GSP.FAN]

The SAS are top class,i would compare them to the navy seals.
My comment is based on the early 70’s not sure if the SAS are the same now.To be a SAS would put hell week for the seals to shame.

[RetiredArmy]

England is going to cease as it currently exists. They will become the UK Islamic Empire.

[GSP.FAN]

I wish i could argue the point with you.
I can’t.
I spent a lot of years in London and they were wonderful people,this was back in the 70’s and it sorrows me how much times have changed.
Winston must be rolling in his grave..

[dbrew2u]

If Britain keeps heading in the direction it’s going. British soldiers will not even have a country to fight for.Between the Socialists and the Muslims, its nearly over for the British.

[Lysandru]

What a freakin' great article.

Ever since the Brits punked out in Basra, I smelled trouble.

I love British service people, but their society is dying.

And what is worse???? I wonder what will happen when the Scots vote on independence.

[batco-barry]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2045445/posts

A British soldier (and my husband) that died with conviction.

I know the soldiers like the journos from the economist never could, don’t believe it!!!