Blog 2023 Malcolm Blair-Robinson

U.S. view of U.K Army.

Wikileaks reveal that America thinks what this blog has always suggested; our army is not very good at fighting either in Iraq or in Afghanistan. This is not to question that our troops are of the highest calibre of bravery and dedication. What is at fault is their equipment, their leadership and their strategic political direction.

This is not new. Down through the pages of history the army has a mixed record. Wars have been won, but many battles lost. This is because we are not a land power. For that reason it is wrong for us to project such land power and invade other countries. It represents a foreign policy way out of line with the reality of military capability. What is very wrong indeed, wicked even, is the sacrifice of young lives in this way. War can be glorious. But if brave troops are sacrificed because of failings higher up or flawed objectives, it comes close to murder. Of our own. We need to stop and think about that.

Downing Street Humiliation

Not only did the blitz of Royal, political and football celebrity have no impact in Zurich, it made the humiliation of the England bid, with only one vote (apart from our own), all the more high profile. It would appear it never stood a chance because FIFA has a policy of giving the prize to countries not in the current football mainstream, to help boost the development of new facilities and wider football frontiers. This Blog applauds that approach. It is astounding that the England bid had not taken this on board. It is beginning to look like a combination of arrogance and incompetence.

We can take all this in our stride, however, because we are good sports. It is therefore  utterly disgraceful that a sulking Prime Minister is, according to Downing Street, ‘in no hurry to congratulate the Russians’.  We do not behave like that. It is not English. It is to be hoped that Cameron, who has done well since coming to office, will stop being silly and pick  the phone to Moscow. 

Meanwhile this Blog will step into the breach. Well done Russia!