VFR

Hilary Clinton has already ear marked Mexico.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11234058

bil

You reckon they will have pacified Afghanistan, or just run away?

HBG

I'm not trying to prolong a thread that has run its natural course, and I'm not complaining that the forum management moved it when the topic no longer fitted the forum's aims; in fact it increased my enjoyment of reading diverse opinions – that's what we're here for, is it not?

Apart from thanking the participants, I've got one tiny thing to add to the original subject. I've been an outsider for so long that I enjoy the experience. It's a never-ending adventure, there is no realistic place to go back to, and who knows what's around the corner?

Whatever it is, I'll be the outsider.

(And Afghanistan is an unwinnable war, the Khyber Pass leads into it, and the Cockney rhyming slang for it (the Pass) is most appropriate).

VFR

No they are there to secure the oil that is abundant in the Stans (Uzbekistan/Kazakhstan etc) and will not leave until they have secured a favorable administration.
Yes they may well pull out most front line troops, but their private army will I guess stay on to protect their assets as they see them.

Time will tell of course.

bil

Favourable admin? As in puppet, I assume....

VFR

Of course Bil, as they are well used to doing if those in power do not toe Washington's agenda (as you know)

bil

Or as Blair did, kiss the almighty American arse.

rugbymatt

Seen this Bil?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11292461

steviedeluxe

As for the thread subject, I as a native-born Brit with British parents, certainly feel like an outsider here in London. Don't get me wrong, part of the appeal of London is the multi-cultural cosmopolitanism; if I want to see an Irish play, or eat Middle_Eastern food or hear 100 languages spoken in the street, it's easy to do. But I certainly don't feel that it's my city or people, just somewhere I'm currently living. Would I feel better going back to my home town? Probably not. But there are places I would feel at home in.

bil

Matt, I will say this. Blair, or his advisors were bright enough to recognise that we had to talk to the IRA and allow their leaders to get their trotters in the trough. Once there they would not wish to walk away from the lovely gravey, and the violence could start to wind down.

We just should have talked with them years ago.

I always felt tho that Blair was less than adequate in his support for Mo Mowlem.

It is a sad fact that people just can't appreciate that when people are denied a proper voice in politics, they will almost inevitably turn to violence.

whitelinen

Today the Real IRA have declared that they intend to resume attacks on mainland UK...........

Rotor

Targeting British bankers ,assuming they were not talking slang



http://www.france24.com/en/20100915-...attack-bankers

bil

The 'real' Ira is a splinter group. Just think, instead of this threat, we could be enjoying the full repertoire of all the IRA instead of this tiny group that refuses to talk.

Like Churchill said, 'Better to Jaw, Jaw than War, War.'

elspeth sinclair

I find that really sad as I worked there and brought up my kids there and if I was rich would buy a holiday home there in the West End with roof garden. A wonderful city and no nosy neighbours.