Britain to back out of Afghanistan

[Chris Burford <cburford@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Surprising and interesting news story that Britain's Defence Secretary,
Geoff Hoon, has signalled that Britain will be leading the international
peace keeping force in Afghanistan for only 3 months.

Among the possible countries that might take over is Turkey.

There is no suggestion that Britain would go altogether.

This looks like preemptive spin, to discount well ahead of any change, the
fact that there have been difficulties about Britain leading the force.

It may be that as the structure of the Empire takes shape, some of the
discontent felt towards the hegemonic behaviour of the US is more easily
expressed towards Britain.

This is a blow to Tony Blair's attempts to remake himself from leader of
New Labour to leader of New Empire. It is sign that there is also a more
consensual side to the processes by which the juridical structures of
Empire are taking shape.

Chris Burford

London