Afghanistan – it’s a tricky one, isn’t it? It appears there are four good reasons why our soldiers are still there: One – in support of our gallant American allies – ah, but isn’t Saint Obama busily pulling out his troops?

Two – we are bolstering a democratic government against the evils of the Taliban – oh, but isn’t the newly appointed president now actively condoning crucial Taliban principles, particularly their barbaric attitude to women.

Three – we are rooting out poppy harvests that supply the world heroin market. Well, okay, very creditable, but does anyone truly believe they won’t spring up again the very second we leave?

Oh, and four – the threat from Osama Bin Laden. Now, who was he again?

All this aside, British troops have suffered terribly in Afghanistan for centuries (just ask Kipling) for politicians to use it was a buffer state between India and Russia.

Well, empires have crumbled and the Raj is no more.

We no longer have the right nor the resources to police another nation’s crisis, Let’s face it; we have a big enough crisis of our own and I don’t see anyone falling over themselves to help us solve it. Bring ‘em home!

Julian R Powell, Larch Grove, Newport