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After Rash of Deaths, UK Rethinks Afghanistan

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2009 9:50 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Eight British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan last week within just 24 hours, the worst day of casualties the UK had seen in 30 years. After 15 fatalities in July alone, Gordon Brown is facing severe criticism for underfinancing the war effort, particularly for not providing enough helicopters to troops, reports the New York Times. Washington is watching the debate closely—it relies on Britain to oversee Helmand, Afghanistan's most violent province and the world's largest opium producer.

British TV aired live coverage Tuesday of the funeral of the eight soldiers, which processed through towns and villages thronged with mourners. Brown has insisted he is increasing funding and that more helicopters would not have prevented their deaths. But 184 British soldiers have now been killed in Afghanistan—five times more than in Iraq, which the UK has quit. Most citizens still support the war, but that backing may dissipate if casualties mount.

Gordon Brown is facing increasing criticism over Britain's role in Afghanistan, as the the overall death toll rose to 184.
Gordon Brown is facing increasing criticism over Britain's role in Afghanistan, as the the overall death toll rose to 184.   (AP Photo/Chris Ison-pa)
Anti-war protesters demonstrate outside Downing Street calling for British troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan, Monday, July 13, 2009. Britain lost eight soldiers within 24 hours.
Anti-war protesters demonstrate outside Downing Street calling for British troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan, Monday, July 13, 2009. Britain lost eight soldiers within 24 hours.   (AP Photo / Sang Tan)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai talks to Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown prior to a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, April 27, 2009.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai talks to Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown prior to a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, April 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
Royal Marines from Britain's 42 Commando Group disembark from a helicopter in the southernmost regions of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Saturday March 7, 2009.
Royal Marines from Britain's 42 Commando Group disembark from a helicopter in the southernmost regions of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Saturday March 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gaz Faulkner, Royal Navy, ho)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
kokuaguy
Jul 16, 2009 4:48 AM CDT
But on the topic-- what did anyone expect after they bagged on Bush in Iraq? No "empire" ever deserved its setting sun more. Maybe Brown should order an invasion of the Falklands (Islas Malvinas) to shore up his poll numbers.
kokuaguy
Jul 16, 2009 4:42 AM CDT
Mystery solved !!! Gotta love a (guy?) like that.
JonmarkP
Jul 16, 2009 4:28 AM CDT
CK is a satirist, a far-left progressive who repeats Right Wing Republican talking points to shed light on how absurd they are-like hoping Obama fails even if that's harmful to America. You go, CK, I think you're doing a great job and I retract any previous negative comments I may have made about you.

 
Afghanistan • United Kingdom • Gordon Brown • coalition troops • opium • British military • fatalities • Helmand province • Afghanistan war

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