Afghanistan

I was always a bit sceptical about the conflict in Afghanistan, bearing in mind Britain’s chequered history in that country.
At the turn of the century the Taliban regime almost eradicated opium production, but in the last few years it has returned to record levels.
Afghanistan currently produces over 80% of the world’s supply, responsible for 100,000 deaths (far more than have died in the conflict itself). However there are several other poppy growing regions around the world that would take up the slack.
The issue for me is that a lot of the profit from opium production is financing the insurgency. I am no historian, but most wars and conflicts are resolved in the end by economic strength, rather than military might or political will. The loser is often the one for whom the money runs out first.

PS: I very rarely sympathise with Gordon Brown -- in fact the last time was when Osama Bin Laden insulted him -- but he really doesn’t deserve such a hard time for the genuine mistakes in the letter of condolence to Guardsman Jamie Janes’ mother.