Well, that was directed both at everyone here and the world in general.

I dispute that my comment on Harry’s place is going to undo the hard work of career diplomats and elected officials.

If I really do have the immense power to personally derail the foreign policy of the world’s greatest nations, then I’m much more important than I thought and will have to think of some way to use my awesome power to bend you puny serfs to my will!

a) The Italians were not in Afghanistan because they’re shit hot for Teh War On Terrer; they’re there because the Americans asked them to go, much like most of the other nations that sent token contingents. Also like other NATO partners, the mission is not very popular with the Italian electorate.

b) The same goes for France.

c) Hence, a vast condemnatory circle-jerk aimed at the Dhimmi Italians and French is counterproductive and short-sighted. That’s assuming that fighting and defeating the Taleban is the priority here.

d) Since there was an outbreak of whooping and cheering when the Americans started bribing the head-choppers and IED bombers, I think it’s fair to say that bribing Islamist headbangers is not in itself considered a crime amongst Afghan war enthusiasts. The Italians might have been bastards for not warning the French, but then, there’s nothing to suggest that the attack on the latter was prompted by the lack of bribes from the former, particularly because…

e) …All of this is based on conjecture anyway, since there’s hardly any evidence at all to suggest that this story is true, other than an anonymous military source. It may or may not be accurate, but it would hardly be the first anonymously-sourced piece of NATO squabbling bullshit to make the major papers.

Feel free to dispute this stuff or don’t, it’s no skin off mine.

The surge is publicized, and any dealings with local militants made clear. Typical Rodent – a report even more shocking than Operation Gladio, and he has to have a jibe at Harry’s Place.

The Italians might as well have changed sides halfway through, and the French fought to the last man and then surrendered and withdrawn from the country… how much more stereotypical could they get?

Fabrizio “I Will Show You How An Italian Dies” Quattrocchi must be spinning in his grave.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1459341/Kidnappers-murder-Italian-hostage.html

First and foremost, the Italians are denying these allegations and AFAICS, this “disclosure by Western military officials” is the totality of the evidence presented. It may be true, and it may not be.

Secondly, while it would be sneaky and selfish of the Italians to make these payments on the sly, I can see no difference at all to the Americans’ surge strategy in Iraq. Both involve bribing the local headbangers to refrain from lobbing RPGs at foot patrols and to keep their neighbourhoods in line, with the tacit understanding that western units will turn a blind eye to their methods unless they get too publicly brutal. Anyone who calls the Italians cowards and yet applauds the Americans has obviously not thought the situation through at all.

Finally, the vital question here for anyone who wants western forces to commit to Afghanistan long-term is not Why are the Italians such bastards? The major question is Why are military casualties in Afghanistan so politically harmful to Italian politicians?

If you want to win the war – however vaguely you define “win”, and I’ve seen some pretty damn vague definitions when politicians talk about Afghanistan – then allies both local and western are going to be vital. That begins and ends with ensuring the support of populations in those areas, and deriding doubters as a shower of Eurowusses is a) hypocritical b) counterproductive and c) ignorant.

If you want people to support your wars, you have to convince those who disagree that they’re mistaken. Calling them a bunch of saps and pussies is an idiot’s gambit, destined for woeful failure.