Why do the British cut and run?

Question

Why is it ok for the British to cut and run and yet we hear no protests from the right?

The british are taking out 50% of thier troops by spring (from Iraq) and the rest sometime after that.

They already retreated out of Basra and have given it over to the insurgents, Moqtada and a couple other groups have taken over the city.

the British are currently confining themselves to the airport on the outskirts of the city and have stopped patroling inside the city.

All this was reported on BBC World with actually footage showing the retreat of the convoy from the city during the middle of the night late August. There was also footage of the commanding british general explaining why they felt it necessary to leave in the middle of the nite (troop safety to prevent expected ambushes).

Answer 1

Cut and run? It wasnt our war in the first place, just yet another pathetic american display of power, and lust for oil. Plus, we've had enough of losing men to keep the yanks happy, they can do it themselves for once..screw usa

Answer 2

Your so called rant against the British Military thinly disguised as a question is full of miss-information:
Allow me to correct you on a few points:

1. The British moved from Basra Palace to Basra Airbase where they remain at this very moment.

2. The British have been more successful in training the local Iraqi military and police in Basra to do their own job, as was the mission requirement and they remain committed to act as back up if required by the local military and police.

3. The British are following the plan laid down from the very beginning of the mission in Iraq, its seems its the USA who can't complete their part of the deal.

4. Funny but the news report film showed the British troops leaving Basra in broad daylight, in plain view of all to see.

5. If you are a U.S. Squid, then its obvious the big military picture is beyond your comprehension, so leave the military strategy and the political decisions up to those of our military and elected Government whose job it is to make them.

Answer 3

They are shifting forces to Afganistan where more troops have been requested. The U.S. plans on winding down in 2008 too. Those forces will probably also go into Afganistan.

Answer 4

The British aren't cutting and running. They went into Iraq to help keep peace and to train the iraqi army so they can take over and the British have done this so they are beginning to pull back because there mission is complete. It's not like the Americans, there not leaving because it makes them look weak, because there is oil in iraq they want and they haven't really trained the iraqi army.The British never cut and run, they always complete there mission.

Answer 5

The British don't cut and run. If you are referring to their recent announcement of reducing their troop strength in southern Iraq, then you are entirely incorrect by labeling this action as a "cut and run".

It has never been America's or Britain's intention to occupy Iraq forever.

We are trying to assist them in building a self-governing democracy with the ability to provide security for themselves.

The British have had a much easier time doing this in southern Iraq than we have had in central and western Iraq.

The British are completeing their mission and sending troops home that are no longer needed there.

....no way is it a cut and run.

Answer 6

The Brits might talk differently, salute differently, and march differently.... but they are a damn tough group of fighting men. Have never seen them run....please cite a reference that drives this question.

The references you cite are called stategic decisions. Withdrawing from a forward area to keep from losing a large group of people is not cutting and running.... it is a military decision to keep your command safe and intact. Manpower reduction is being caused by the people of England...the loud people of England who are louder than the silent majority... much like here in the US.

I believe you have mistaken governmental policy and military leadership.

Later,
Z

Answer 7

Taking out some troops isn'tcutting and running.
It;'s still a lot more troops than the French or Germans have there.

Answer 8

If the jobs done the british hand over to the civil authority ,this is not vietnam which had no moral civil authority.

Answer 9

we brits never cut and run, we always complete our missions. we are out of basrah because we've occupied it for years, trained the iraqi army and we've done our bit in in basrah and completed the mission. u, the yanks have what, 30,000 + troops there(well theyre needed, seeing your army is so **** + you kill our troops "accidentally" you trigger happy dickheads) you're stayinf for oil, we're staying to give iraq freedom and make their country a better place, we are actually achieving something, un like america. we are with drawing most of our combat troops because they're not needed as much, mainly engineers and logistics are staying.

Answer 10

They are acting smartly. They don't want their country to be over populated by immigrant Asians, once the Brits die out in Iraq.