Carleton-Smith

The new “precise, surgical” tactics have killed scores of insurgent leaders and made it extremely difficult for Pakistan-based Taliban leaders to prosecute the campaign, according to Brig Mark Carleton-Smith.

Iraq 2010

“I can therefore judge the Taliban insurgency a failure at the moment,” said Brig Carleton-Smith.

Iraq 2010

Carleton-Smith, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, which has just completed its second tour of Afghanistan, said it was necessary to “lower our expectations”.

Afstan: Spinning madly to declare defeat 2008

While getting the turbine to Kajaki was the high point of the tour, Carleton-Smith admits that the low point was sustaining so many casualties.

Afstan: Spinning madly to declare defeat 2008

As he prepared to hand over to the marines, Carleton-Smith admitted that it had been “an intense summer”.

Afstan: Spinning madly to declare defeat 2008

“We want to change the nature of the debate from one where disputes are settled through the barrel of the gun to one where it is done through negotiations,” Carleton-Smith said.

Afstan: Spinning madly to declare defeat 2008

I can only assume that Carleton-Smith has forgotten about the sort of regime which they were in charge of before they were run out of Kabul in late 2001.

Surrender monkey Johnny Guitar 2008

Brigadier Carleton-Smith concluded: Armies have never controlled Afghanistan.

Many more Brits too for Afstan? 2008

Carleton-Smith, somehow Britain's most senior commander in Afghanistan, told the Sunday Times that he felt a "decisive military victory" was not possible and that the option of talks with the insurgents should be considered.

Surrender monkey Johnny Guitar 2008

Carleton-Smith acknowledges the preponderance of Taliban ringtones proclaiming “Death to the Invader” that are heard on the street, but dismisses them as “quite a good insurance policy to have on your phone”.

Afstan: Spinning madly to declare defeat 2008