There's more on this in today's JDW. There are to be four brigade rotations of six months each. However it is likely that each rotation will consist of only 2 btns. The first rotation will be 16 Air Asslt Bde (2 parachute btns), and the second rotation will be 3 Cdo Bde (2 Marine btns). The following two rotations will be of line btns. The interesting thing is that originally 19 Light Bde was slated to be the lead formation - presumably it will now not be ready in time and will get its chance later. The UK troops will be based in Southern and Eastern Afghanistan, with a focus on anti-narcotics operations. JDW comments that the growth in drugs income is fuelling taleban and Al Quaeda operations. Does anyone else think that the American invasion of Iraq is taking their eyes off where the real threat lies? The article states that the final decision on the Afghanistan mission will be made by Ministers in mid-Sept, at which time they will also review the size of UK participation in Iraq.

Does anyone else think that the American invasion of Iraq is taking their eyes off where the real threat lies? I was amazed that they rescued the opium poppy industry just as the stockpiled supplies of opium were running out. Is it the US that is running the worlds drug dealing? If so how would/will they react to an effective crack-down on production over a period of ten-fifteen years?

"Is it the US that is running the worlds drug dealing?" I don't know about the dealing.. but we have an unfortunate number of consumers. I'm sure the money gets back to all sorts of types we'd rather not have money.. " If so how would/will they react to an effective crack-down on production over a period of ten-fifteen years? " We've been trying for ages.. There has been the "War on Drugs" in this country and to the south for a couple decades now. If anything can be done to cut the flow of drugs, best wishes to the UK troops that get sent to do it. I'd guess the majority of crime in the US has a direct relation to drugs and alchohol abuse.