MP suggests pyrrhic victory if we lose the propaganda war
Today in the House of Commons, John Baron MP questioned both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence during Prime Minister’s Questions and then during a statement on Afghanistan about the propaganda war being won by the Taliban.
John said:
“A recent report to Congress by the US Department of Defence highlights the speed and decisiveness of the insurgents’ propaganda. What more are we going to do to counter this, because the longer we allow this to happen, the harder our task will become.”
Both the Prime Minister and Secretary State for Defence accepted this was a key problem.
John added:
“If we are to achieve any success in Afghanistan, then we have to win the propaganda war. Yet this report to the US Congress suggests we are failing on this front. Success on the ground will turn into pyrrhic victory if we cannot carry the local people with us.”
End
Word Count: 177
Date: 7th July 2010
Notes to Editor
1. Since opposing our initial deployment in Afghanistan, believing the mission to be ill-defined and under-resourced, John has sought in the House of Commons to clarify the objectives and ensure our troops are adequately supported both in theatre and at home.
2. John is an ex-soldier, having served with The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
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