MP says lessons need to be learnt from Afghanistan
Today in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister made a statement about the Algerian hostage crisis. He updated the House as to details, and highlighted again the threat from terrorist groups in North Africa.
John asked,
“Given our experience in Afghanistan, where intelligence services confirm we achieved our mission of driving out al-Qaeda relatively early, but then got drawn into an expensive nation-building exercise, does the Prime Minister agree that, if we are to defeat international terrorism, we need a more flexible and nuanced terrorist policy, which takes into account local dynamics, including closer liaison with those threatened Governments on the ground?”
The Prime Minister agreed, and said it was important governments were given the support to defend themselves against terrorism and other threats.
John said afterwards,
“Since defeating al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, we have been fighting the wrong enemy in the wrong country. Instead, in the future, we need a more flexible counter-terrorism policy involving closer links with threatened governments, more intelligence-sharing and logistical support, and the training of military personnel.”
“A ‘one-size fits all’ policy is past its sell-by date.”
John Baron will not post replies to any comments - to contact John please Click here or alternatively for a full list of contact details Click here