I don't think you can side-step the nuclear threat either.

The question of civilian deaths is separate I think and certainly one that should be investigated.

I wish this war, like most others could have been avoided as easily as you suggest but we cannot detach ourselves now that any past errors in the West's attitude to Islam are beyond redemption in the eyes of the Islamasist terrorists who are allied to the Taleban.

"Where's your national pride mate?"

Well I'm actually not particularly proud of my country and I am not proud of the armed forces. I see a generation of aggresive louts, raised on violent video games desperate for a slice of the action.

Yes, we have gone into war in Afghanistan for good reason, it's strategically important to knock out the Taliban. Still, isn't this as much to do with controlling an oil pipeline as ensuring nuclear Pakistan remains allied to the West?

I just wish that every time they published our soldiers' death toll they would compare it to the number of civilians and suspected enemy fighters they had killed.

We are loosing this war in the way we have fought it, by indiscriminately killing every male of fighting age in suspected villages. Each of these atrocities fuels is like a recruitment drive for the enemy. Each time an innocent Afghani is martyred more turn to the extremist cause.

Personally I think the shadow of Empire and Imperialism hangs darkly over both of these wars and I'd like to see an end to gunboat diplomacy sooner rather than later.

I don't think terrorists have much of a track record of targeting neutral nations.

I am of a generation that often finds it too easy to be anti-war without acknowledging that sometimes, war is the only option.

There was a warm welcome from the crowds as those soldiers marched past this morning but it was, as I think you imply, a confused blend of responses which I think did support "our boys" without accepting that they actually do need to risk their lives in Afghanistan.

I suspect people are also confusing the question of supplies, Defence budgets and supplies with the geo-political realities of the dangers that the world would face if nothing was done about the Taleban.

Sadly the Pacifist Lytton Strachey's quip about what he would do if a German soldier was about to rape his sister is funny but possibly impractical in this case:I would interpose my body between them.

I have missed you Claudio….welcome back

Like many people, there are times when I want to support the troops but not the war, but that does rely on knowledge. I am faintly uneasy at the way some people who would criticise 'squaddies' are now talking about 'our boys'. The sad fact is, if you go to war, you need – in some way – to be ready to finish it.