US President Donald Trump has publicly praised British troops who served in Afghanistan after his earlier comments about NATO forces triggered strong criticism from veterans, politicians and military families.
Speaking earlier this week, Trump suggested that allied forces had played a limited role during the Afghanistan campaign, claiming NATO troops had remained away from the front lines. The remarks prompted anger across several allied nations, including the UK, where senior political figures described the comments as deeply offensive.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer raised the issue directly with the US president during a phone call on Saturday, according to Downing Street. Following that conversation, Trump issued a statement praising British service personnel and acknowledging their sacrifices during the conflict. In a post published on his Truth Social platform, Trump said British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan were “among the greatest of all warriors”, adding that the bond between the two countries’ armed forces was “too strong to ever be broken.”
He wrote:
“The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Trump’s comments appeared to soften his earlier remarks, though he did not issue a formal apology. Earlier in the week, the president had said of NATO allies: “They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.” He also questioned whether the alliance would support the United States if it faced a future crisis. Those remarks prompted a swift backlash. Veterans groups and serving personnel highlighted the scale of allied involvement in Afghanistan, where NATO invoked Article 5 for the first and only time following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States.
The UK suffered the second-highest number of military fatalities in the conflict after the United States, with 457 British service personnel killed during operations. More than 3,500 coalition troops died overall before the US-led withdrawal in 2021. Downing Street confirmed that Sir Keir Starmer used his call with Trump to make clear the shared sacrifices made by British and American forces.
Empty Words from a disgusting man.
Does he even read his shit back? “Second to none EXCEPT THE USA” is second to someone.
It’s staggering his depth of Shit, Indefencible In my opinion.
He does come out with the most stupid and insensitive things. The whole ‘Greenland’ thing is a distraction designed to divert attention from the Epstein files – so far less than 1% of the Epstein files have been published.
Even worse is voting for a traitor like Starmer as prime minister, someone who would sell out the United Kingdom if necessary.
Give it a rest.
Seriously?! You’re an imbecile.
Lol, Is that worse than a Numnut or Dickwad ?
🤔😅🤦♂️
I assume this could be one of those dodgy bots or whatever they call them. Micki has probably typed this from Russia or such like.
Not a Labour voter but Tories have run our forces down to this useless nadir & became so extreme. Talking the talk while assets wither on the vine. They coveted & courted both Russian & Chinese money, both an extreme risk to our security & beasts dedicated to our demise. Starmer is still courting the Chinese like a loon. Handy for the most extreme right wing loons have jumped ship to Reform. This is the most RW “labour” I think we’ve ever had.
No apology and no mention of other NATO forces that served in Afghanistan, trump is a twat
Every time I look at its face I want to throw up. Disgusting, vile, repulsive imbecile. Sooner it’s thrown in prison the better.
Sadly the Supreme Court previously ruled any action he takes in his role as President gives him immunity from prosecution. Essentially overturning the principle that nobody is above the law that was established in the Magna Carta 🤦🏻♂️
The USA, 811 years behind the UK…
Technically what you said is true – a sitting President can’t be prosecuted when in office. However, he/she can be when they leaves office. Just wanted to clarify.
That’s always been the case, I’m referring to the ruling from 2024 that former presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within their core constitutional powers and presumptive immunity for all official activities.
Trump is arguably the most unpleasant person in American history; fragile, iealous, petty and greedy, an unforgiving narcissist; a vindictive ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic; homophobic racist; a serial liar, a serial predator and proud of it, an Islamophobic, sociopathic, megalomaniacal, demagogue, a capricious bully and self-serving repulsive con artist without a shred of conscience. And a sex predator and convicted criminal.
Yes, but other than that what’s so bad about him?
I suppose if a country votes in the village idiot as it’s leader you have to expect a few problems.
Add boastful to that. Someone with so little actual talent is a fool to baoast at all!Even with that CV American voted for him & he was seen as the ideal candidate for mega billionaires to fund him. Even HMG continues to look after big money interests over the best interests of the majority. Much of society hates virtue, hence the term “virtue signalling”. If you don’t want people to be virtuous you promote evil. Trump is a disgraceful example of what you get when you allow evil to flourish, just like Putin, Xi, Kim etc.
I don’t see the issue? Trump waffle on without a script, a speech writer or probably much thought! It’s just words, and while what he said initially was incorrect, he was correct in regards to a few European countries who ensured they would only deploy in certain less kinetic operational areas. I’m glad he has apologised, and stated that the Brits are some of the best warriors (slight correction it’s THE best, and er maybe the Danes and the Estonian lads but shhhhhhh don’t tell them I said so) but I’m quite disappointed with all the false outrage from our politicians and media! I don’t care what he said and know the truth, a truth which is easily and quickly forgotten by our elected heads and the population in general! I can and do sympathise with the families of the boys who didn’t make it (one family I’m still very close to) but come on, get off the bandwagon and let’s challenge these clowns in charge, right now, about the legacy act and stop letting Stazi Starmer use this as a diversion !!!!!!!!
If you don’t see the issue, that says a lot about you.
Tell you what, I will make that decision and if you cannot understand that then it says a lot about you. More false outrage yes!
False outrage, you sir are a clown!
Your reply tells me and everyone else about you!
I’m with Patrick
Good for you.
Everyone with a sense of decency is with Patrick.
I’m still in your head rude person!
No, I wouldn’t let anytime as disgusting as you squat there. Seems the opposite. Given you seem to have nothing better to do in life than post responses on here no matter time of day or night.
It would appear I am still there, and you don’t seem to have a choice. Anyway please stop trolling me.
Supporting an opinion with an insult says a lot about the person who does it and the person who supports it.
Unfortunately Spock is trolling me.
Paranoiac.
Airborne was there, and did his bit, that says plenty about him by my book.
No clown, just a vet with an opinion and a certain blunt way with words, he says it as he sees it.
All power to him by me.
Absolutely Daniele – I’m with you and Airborne.
Airborne – thank you for your service!!
Opinions and insults are big on here if you have a point of view. But free speech is important.
I don’t see Airborne supporting Trump at all, he didn’t say he did. He sees our own government as HIS bigger problem.
Also, when I came on here long, long ago, some treated me like total garbage for having the temerity to comment on military matters and have knowledge, while being non military.
Somehow, it offended them.
Airborne accepted me as I am and stood up for me.
It’s not forgotten, he’s a mate on here for me and has my respect, regardless of his views and whether I agree with them or not.
I do recall that some NATO nations there had differing ROE, so he probably meant that. However,
he has a big mouth, and opens it seemingly on a whim without any advisors suggesting he do otherwise. Not a statesmen at all, and I think this time he’s really pissed off a lot of people, rightly.
Us Brits I believe where in from the early days alongside the CIA SAD teams with the Northern Alliance, and Helmand after was hardly a quiet backwater. He should know that.
On Starmer, I support him for vocally rebuking Trump, but at the same time, he’s happy to drag vets through the courts, so I at least see the two faced side of things and the PR value in this for him.
Agreed mate, I say this often, he doesn’t seem to have a speech writer (a good thing for some people) and he seems to talk without thinking! He is a businessman snd certainly not a statesman! Yes mate the Brits were there in small numbers in 2001 as the Northern Alliance took the ground prior to Xmas as the US bombed the Talibs, and we sent out first formed units in 2002 to Kabul!
I have to say that while I think the orange man is wrong, he is not totally wrong regarding some NATO forces, as politics dictated their rules of engagement and locations to operate. My main concern is the disrespect to the UK lads who got killed and injured and the disrespect towards the families. But in the same vein the false outrage shown by many in the establishment, in order to score political points (and some on here) is quite sad and turns my stomach. Cheers mate.
Your alleged distaste of ‘false outrage’ and ‘political points-[scoring]’ is hypocritical in the face of your ‘Stazi-Starmer’ comments above.
Yeah cheers! If you cannot see the false outrage from an organisation that votes to remove the protections of the legacy act, for NI vets, then gives it big licks about the orange man’s comments, then that’s up to you. Not overly concerned what you think, cheers.
What makes the outrage towards Trump any less false than that directed towards Starmer? If you’re unable to see the reasons behind the global disgust towards the 47th POTUS, I think you might benefit from a broader media diet.
Just to consolidate, you are defending an administration that has:
– Twice questioned the credibility of allied contributions to the American-led GWOT
– Openly threated the invasion and annexation of two NATO allied nations
– Repeatedly disqualified Ukraine and Europe from negotiations to end a war taking place primarily in Ukraine and Europe, whilst expecting Europe to shoulder the fiscal burden of the outcome of said negotiations
– Threatened global economic warfare on a variety of occasions
– Collaborated with oligarchs engaged in the influencing of the elections of multiple European elections
There’s many more incidents that I could mention.
I’d appreciate an explanation as to why, considering the above list, you believe outrage expressed towards Trump is performative.
Add in the fact that Trump’s words carry weight in America and represent a anti-NATO narrative he is actively spinning. You can personally not care about the Bonespur cowards words and not be offended by them, but you can’t pretend that it’s not a deliberate attempt to frame NATO, and by extension the UK as having not come to the US’s aid and furthering the NATO is useless to America narrative.
Sigh…..ok I will give you a moment! Firstly Trump is not our PM! Secondly you’re jumping on the wrong bandwagon pal, my distaste is for Starmer and the false outrage from Starmer and his hangers on, about what the orange clown said about UK forces. Starmer read the room (slowly) and saw an opportunity, only a few days after screwing over NI vets! And where have I defended his administration? Too many posters on here jump down others throats for opinions they have, and perceive various shite according to their own echo chambers expectations and it is very repetitive and quite boring. And my media diet is quite central and inclusive thanks for your concern. This reply is because you came across quite polite but be aware I don’t ever have to give explanations for any opinion I have. Now it’s late, some of us work, sleepy time, cheers.
‘my distaste is for Starmer and the false outrage from Starmer and his hangers on, about what the orange clown said about UK forces.’
You’ve attacked quite a few commentors in here, several of whom from their previous posts are almost certainly not Starmer supporters.
‘Too many posters on here jump down others throats for opinions they have, and perceive various shite according to their own echo chambers expectations and it is very repetitive and quite boring.’
The disgust at Trump’s remarks here were global. Even Nigel Farage, a Trump supporter, made it clear he didn’t agree with the remarks. Unless you believe everyone (save yourself and MAGA) exists within an echo chamber, it’s a little weird to blame said ‘echo chambers’ for the general anger here.
‘And where have I defended his administration?’
I’m going to go through the comments in this thread, and copy and paste the relevant quotations from your own comments here.
‘I don’t see the issue?’
‘It’s just words’
‘he was correct in regards to a few European countries who ensured they would only deploy in certain less kinetic operational areas.’
‘false outrage’
‘I have to say that while I think the orange man is wrong, he is not totally wrong regarding some NATO forces’
I acknowledge that there’s plenty of hedging language in your comments. I also acknowledge that you express some disapproval of his actions in places. However, you also frequently minimise, or outright defend his actions as well.
‘This reply is because you came across quite polite but be aware I don’t ever have to give explanations for any opinion I have. Now it’s late, some of us work, sleepy time, cheers.’
I’d advise yourself to be aware that others will call you out on your hypocrisy, and some will be far less polite. I’d also ask that your poorly veiled attempts to insinuate my unemployment be kept behind your teeth.
With regards to Starmer, I’ll add one last thing. The nation as a whole, including myself, has frequently criticised Starmer for his continual political U-turns and retractions. Ill assume from the nature of your comments on the site, that you would also disapprove of the PM’s chronic indecision and lack of foresight. Now, in a comparable situation from Trump, you express none of the vitriol.
OMG this is exactly why I didn’t bother with this site for quite some time! It’s become a group think bullying session on many subjects, including Trump. As I’m not sat here calling Trump a wanker, scum, vile etc (as you can read in many comments by others) I am therefore by default a MAGA supporter and want Trumps orange babies!
I have an opinion, and have earned the right to voice it. Will you feel better if I use unnecessary vile language about Trump? It does not matter what is written on a subject, many on here will disregard what is actually written and interpret it to suit their own response, which is already in their head eagerly being formed! You and others try to put words in others mouths n your responses, for what reason I can only guess, but that’s an issue for you to resolve with yourself.
You, along with others have totally gone off subject by continuing to list the issues with Trump, which there is many, where my concern is for the blokes who served, and the incorrect statement he made about UK forces There is false outrage by Starmer and the Government, a Government who has repealed the legacy act for NI vets (you ok with that then I take it, every Afghan vet a hero, every NI vet a criminal) if you think differently that’s up to you.
As for my comments about some NATO forces they are correct, and factual, wether it come out of Trumps mouth or not! A few of us were there and fully aware who pulled their weight and who did not.
Also, finally wtf are you bumping your gums about your employment status, how would I know your employment etc, that’s a weird statement to say and has raised a bit of a red flag regarding your account. Maybe keep your nonsense behind your own teeth.
‘OMG this is exactly why I didn’t bother with this site for quite some time! It’s become a group think bullying session on many subjects, including Trump. As I’m not sat here calling Trump a wanker, scum, vile etc (as you can read in many comments by others) I am therefore by default a MAGA supporter and want Trumps orange babies!’
Reread what I have written, and consider it more extensively this time. I never claimed you were a Trump supporter, I showed where you had defended him. So this rant that you’ve sprung into is redundant.
‘I have an opinion, and have earned the right to voice it. Will you feel better if I use unnecessary vile language about Trump? It does not matter what is written on a subject, many on here will disregard what is actually written and interpret it to suit their own response, which is already in their head eagerly being formed! You and others try to put words in others mouths n your responses, for what reason I can only guess, but that’s an issue for you to resolve with yourself.’
Words in your mouth? I directly quoted from your posts, and indicated where I had done so. The only words in your mouth are those you have spoken.
I don’t care whether or not you choose to use vitriolic language towards Trump. I care about the consistency of your opinions and your hypocrisy. I have been very clear in criticising you in that aspect.
‘As for my comments about some NATO forces they are correct, and factual, wether it come out of Trumps mouth or not! A few of us were there and fully aware who pulled their weight and who did not.’
This is what Trump said:
“They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines”
There’s no distinction as to which forces he refers to – it is a simple, blatant attack on a homogenous whole designed to incite anger through untruth. Him being forced to walk back those comments does not absolve him of said comments.
‘Also, finally wtf are you bumping your gums about your employment status, how would I know your employment etc, that’s a weird statement to say and has raised a bit of a red flag regarding your account. Maybe keep your nonsense behind your own teeth.’
Oh, get a grip. You said:
‘Now it’s late, some of us work, sleepy time, cheers.’
It’s very cleared a thinly-veiled suggestion, that you’re now attempting to walk back. A little ironic, considering that subject matter of this debate, don’t you think?
Anyhow, I don’t think we’re getting anywhere with this, and you’re not wrong in saying that it’s late. Goodnight, thanks for the conversation.
We’d all appreciate it if you didn’t bother with this site anymore. Doing so will also give you more time to watch Fox News and learn Mein Kampf off by heart.
He’s not our PM, he’s supposedly ‘the leader of the free world’, and there are many people around the world who will be disgusted with his remarks that you will not agree with politically. Starmer is one of them – you can sleep tight knowing this country isn’t run by a fascist you know what.
Agreed, so what’s your point!
‘I do recall that some NATO nations there had differing ROE, so he probably meant that.’
With respect DM, I’m going to call bullshit there. I don’t believe for a second that ROE ever wafted through Trump’s head when making those statements. It’s far, far more likely that they were a blatant attempt to twist the truth for political purchase on the crumbling mountain of his presidency, which were soon retracted when he was informed (not realised for himself) of the the backlash.
You might be right Leh, we shall never know.
Some part of me would love to read a memoir from Trump. I’d love a more detailed understanding of his own perceptions of these issues.
I don’t think Dementia Donnie is physically capable of writing a memoir, and as a pathological liar and narcissist you’d never be able to believe anything in it even if he did write one.
Might be interesting from a psychological perspective, though I agree it’s unlikely he could write something coherent.
I’m not sure I want to see in that mind to be honest and I don’t think there is really any looking back and trying to understand what guides him.. some people are just power crazed, amoral and can only see the world through there own immediate needs.. some people are a more profound ideology based evil that by studying you can in some way understand and try to predict ( the religious extremist for instance) .
I will reply to you on this post as your most recent reply did not have then reply link! It is sadly ironic that you claim to find Trumps comment outrageous and you have only the Afghan veterans concerns at heart. Yet this Afghan veteran has made an informed comment, about this Government’s treatment of veterans in general and NI veterans in particular, and my opinion on our PMs response to Trump. And yet you are making attempts at bullying me down, insinuating and trying to stifle my opinion and comments.
I can only deduce it is because I am not conforming to yours (and a few others) methods of commenting about Trump, using abuse and name calling, all of which is not very productive. So do stop your efforts at bullying, I will continue to take this Government’s actions on both defence and its treatment of veterans to task, no matter how many oppressive tactics you use. And by the way, I don’t walk back on any comments I make.
Those who were not there are always the most vocal, those of us who were understand what is important and what is not. It’s about the people who served and their families. It’s strange that while you rant about Trump you keep forgetting the main concern you claim to have, those being the Afghan vets! Do stop the attempts at bullying it’s not very nice.
There’s no need to play the victim. I called your hypocrisy out, and explained my position. You’ve spent your last few comments attempting to divert away from issue. ‘Bullying’? ‘Insinuating’? If you don’t like to have your opinions criticised, perhaps don’t post them in a public forum next time.
‘I can only deduce it is because I am not conforming to yours (and a few others) methods of commenting about Trump, using abuse and name calling, all of which is not very productive. So do stop your efforts at bullying, I will continue to take this Government’s actions on both defence and its treatment of veterans to task, no matter how many oppressive tactics you use. And by the way, I don’t walk back on any comments I make.’
Oppressive tactics? What tactics, my quoting directly from your own posts? My guy, again, if you don’t want your opinions to be critiqued, don’t make them public. It’s not bullying to explain that you’re being hypocritical.
And again, I will say – the reason I am criticising you is because of your hypocritical viewpoint and double standards. Not because I don’t agree with your ideology (for the record, I don’t agree with your ideology).
You clearly do walk back your comments. In fact, your writing in general is full of backtracking, clarification, et cetera. ‘Trump is wrong, but actually only partially wrong’, and that kind of thing (I paraphrase).
‘Those who were not there are always the most vocal, those of us who were understand what is important and what is not. It’s about the people who served and their families. It’s strange that while you rant about Trump you keep forgetting the main concern you claim to have, those being the Afghan vets! Do stop the attempts at bullying it’s not very nice.’
Why do you keep attempting to divert away from the issue? Also, where am I forgetting the Afghan vets? This entire argument was based around my dislike for your hypocrisy, about Trump’s statements towards the Afghan vets. It’s core to the issue.
Do stop trolling and making efforts at bullying, its gone past acceptable and your efforts at justification are laughable.
No response then. Usually, when people run out of counterarguments, they just admit that they made a mistake or were incorrect.
Ok time to stop! I’m sure you are pleased with yourself, you have challenged a perceived hypocrisy, with which I continue to disagree with, and I’m sure a few on here will congratulate you, you’ve done a great service, your actions over the last 24 hours have proven your courage and bravery in the online sphere. Be proud, pat yourself on the back and understand that continued trolling of me is now going to stop. Please however do take the opportunity to comment on purely military matters at any time, even if the subject matter knowledge may be limited. Kind regards.
Criticising your failure to counterargue is not trolling, nor is it bullying.
Thanks for the complements.
I’m entitled to comment on whichever subjects I wish, be they political or military.
Last word Larry eh? Do stop the stalking and trolling, good lad.
The problem is that for a man entrusted, largely, with the fate of the Western world to be that ignorant about modern history and plain rude bodes very badly. A broken clock is right twice a day and while he has hit on the right ideas re Chagos and NATO spending Trump seems largely to believe what he has been told or read about in the last 24 hours. If there was a sensible group of advisors around him that wouldn’t be too bad but his arrogance has led him to surround himself with people who either echo back whatever he says or hold positions more erratic than even his own.
He is also almost entirely concerned with his personal image and wealth and some of his actions are blatantly corrupt, which doesn’t help either when combined with his other traits.
Agreed, when you have the top job, on the planet, no matter your ilk you need decent and reasonable advisors who actually advise, and also to be able to listen to them, but in both cases this is not happening mate!
I agree! Not great for the supposed leader of the western world.
America chose Trump, Trump chose his advisors and the World see’s the results.
What you truly need and the true strength of a democracy is checks and balances that mean if the complete nut job or morally bankrupt individual is in power they can be both controlled and removed… the deeply worrying thing about the American system and for them as a reliable ally is that it’s seems to have been proven that their system is not capable of managing this.. It’s profoundly important that you make sure your own system works and so does your allies and if you have an ally where that has failed you can of course keep them as an ally but you must completely de risk yourself from them.
The simple true is I’m not sure an American president can now be controlled by the checks and balances in place.. because both the democrats and republicans have essentially colluded to remove those checks and balances over time. We know that a UK Primeminister will be canned the moment they step out of line.. our nation has brutal checks and balances in regards to our political leaders We have had 5 priministers in a decade and I’m pretty sure it will be 6 before we get to year 11.
Tell me where in the text that Trump apologised…
Trump did NOT apologise, he never apologises.
But you have to defend him because as a Reform supporter you idolise this immoral idiot, because Fuhrage does.
I’m still in your head I see, personally I think Bob Russel is one of the best MPs out there.
You think so highly of him that you can’t get the spelling of his name right 😆 not to mention he hasn’t been an MP for over a decade 🤣
Shows how out of touch you are.
I’m still in your head no matter how hard you try to remove me it would seem. Rent free as well. Please stop trolling me.
Your mein kampf reply very immature, also it’s a military website and it’s interesting that you have never served and only comment on politics!
(a) You’re clearly not bothering reading many comments then if you think I only comment on politics. But then you prefer to post your own opinions over listening to others. If you read a bit more then maybe your wouldn’t make so many howlers such as RFA Resurgent not being built, after the build had started.
(b) You’re assuming I’ve never served.
Your head is quite roomy, plenty of space, but dusty but I may stay here a little longer, as rent free is a bit of touch, thanks. Now do stop trolling me.
Officially it means nothing, unofficially it gives us a look inside his mind.
He was likely thinking of the Germans but he doesn’t view us as separate nations but simply as a European monolith.
This view was obvious during the Greenland argument when he seemed to be punishing Denmark because he felt Norway had denied him the Nobel prize. And his repeated insistence that all of Europe would be held responsible if he didn’t get Greenland.
I think this shows that he thinks of Europe as an ‘other’, a rival bloc, rather than as friends.
Agreed mate, I know and we can all see the Trump out of control mentality, but as I’m not giving him death threats or calling him abusive names, some sad characters on here seem to think I want orange babies with him! Debate has gone on here, it’s all about gobbing off and trolling! Cheers.
Stasi starmer? Have you seen what is going on inminneapolis? Be happy you have starmer
Yes and at the moment yes.
‘Words’ tend to be the medium by which most humans communicate and when in his position ‘Words’ really mattter.
Agreed, but its how we react to them that matters, in a mature way or start name calling.
I honestly do believe the Orange God Emperor is pure chaos. As a politician he is hopeless and inept. But he sees politics as business, which I believe is a very dangerous game to play, as in his mind there are only winners and losers, there’s no middle ground, no room for arbitration or a general consensus. Which is why a lot of politicians don’t know how to or can’t deal with him.
However, there is one positive, it has forced European Governments to re-evaluate there support for NATO, but also their budgets for defence. Where Trump has always said, the Europeans must pay their way on defence and not be overly reliant on the USA. In this respect he is 100% correct. For too long politicians across Europe have been able to let defence wither, by not funding it correctly or fudging the figures to make it look like its being funded. If Ukraine was not the urgent wake up call, then having someone like Trump as President of the USA should be!
However, it still seems our Government and politicians in general, still have their heads in the sand.
I will not apologise for what Trump said about all the Nations that came to the US’s Article 5 call. Especially when he seemingly forgets who answered that call and the lives lost in doing so.
Airbourne’s comment above to me makes rational sense. We have larger fish to fry than worrying about the gibberish falling out of the mount of some deluded Prat. Especially in trying to get our politicians and Government to see not only how perilous the state of our Armed Forces has now become. But more importantly, to get them to start fixing the problem rather than concentrating on the window dressing!
He probably thinks Afghanistan has penguins.
Too little too late from this coward. Also interesting to see that his Poodle Farage has been silent during all this.
Think he put out a statement of “Trump is wrong on this” and that was it entirely. Too busy grifting.
You know it’s a poor showing when Starmer has a stronger stance on an issue. If Farage wants to be taken seriously across the political spectrum, there needed to be a more aggressive rhetoric.
It would appear you’re more interested in political point scoring than the opinions and concerns of the people who were there! Farage has already disagreed wiry Trump but that fact may not equate with your echo chamber.
Prove it where his grifting Poodle said he should apologise?
Are you ok? Read your own comment once more and try to observe where you even said that you expect Farage to apologise, then froth and give it big licks with me about proving something you did not ask! Give yourself a tea break.
Are you ok? Drinking all that MAGA cool aid isn’t good for you. The fact you still support this orange megalomaniac is astonishing.
Firstly, I see you ignore the content and request in my reply to you, and secondly please find any post where I said I support the orange man? You do need to take notice and understand the information given to you prior to going on a political oriented froth! More false outrage yes?
I’d recommend you take more or less of what you are on.
I see you now are ignoring everything you are asked to justify! Keyboard commando, Mitty special, jog on as you are now embarrassing yourself. Good lad.
Your dementia is no excuse for your stupid rantings.
Most fortunate you roll up to support the bullies eh? How fortunate?
No I’m not “rolling up” to support the bullies, as you’re the only bully around here.
Yaaaawn, do stop trolling me, as you continue to show some strange angry traits.
Not correct.
Sky and the BBC, amazingly, all reported Farage’s responses like the leaders of all other parties. He said Trump was wrong. So he was not silent.
Feel free to share it Daniele? Are you still a Farage supporter?
Try using Google, it’s not up to everyone else to educate you. I detest farage but it doesn’t change the fact he was reported on multiple sites saying trump was wrong.
Very much so, for his and my sins, as I voted to leave in 2016.
I’m certainly not supporting the Conservatives, or Labour, both of whom as far as I’m concerned have had their time, or the Lib Dems, so where do I go? The Greens?!! Monster Raving Loonies? Maybe a new “defence party”
But all that is irrelevant, but if you want to try to deflect, if that was your aim by supposedly “outing me” then that shit won’t wash with me. I don’t need to explain my views.
There are things I agree with Trump on, and PLENTY where I think he’s an absolute tosspot!! Such as this.
And the same with Farage, Several things I disagree with him on as well, regards the environment and foxhunting especially.
And you know what, I agreed with Corbyn about plenty! A far left type who I saw as a danger to this country.
But, please don’t change the subject. You originally said Farage “had been silent” and I replied that is not so.
Whoever I support is irrelevant. If a comment is wrong, it is wrong.
I definitely agree the 2 main parties have had their day, but Reform isn’t the answer. Especially, since they’re now filling their ranks with Conservatives. TBH I probably waste my vote on an independent if there was an election tomorrow. Anyway apologies if I came off as ill mannered towards you.
Yes! I’m not impressed with that either.
Patrick, says a lot about you that you apologised, fair one.
But, there was really no need, we’re cool. 🙂
Now you your giving big licks to the most reasonable and knowledgeable bloke on here. You do need to tone it down and use this amazing thing called the internet go do some research and stay off the dark web! As it is you are now showing yourself just to be a troll.
I would agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong.
More fluff and chuff! More false outrage Mitty!
As much as I dislike Farage ( and my record of posting on this site shows I would rather spoil my ballot than vote for him.. simply having Farage as leader prevents me voting reform) your statement is wrong and in this case he did say it was wrong and did so publicly.
There is some truth in what Trump said, although it was a poorly made point coming from him!
I spent over three years in Afghanistan and have a pretty clear view of who did and didn’t do what. Lessons need to be learnt, especially around how we commit to the ‘coalition of the willing’.
Much of the Afghanistan argument comes down to national caveats. Some NATO countries deployed troops but restricted how they could fight. Germany, Spain, Italy and Turkey all imposed limits at various points, things like operating only in certain regions, no night ops, or rules that confined troops largely to self-defence. In practice, this kept them away from the heaviest fighting and tucked away at Camp Bastion.
Others operated with few or no caveats. The UK, US, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and Estonia were involved in sustained front-line combat and took serious casualties.
That difference was not about the soldiers. It was the result of political decisions made back home. Lumping all NATO countries together as if they fought the same war is where the argument falls apart, and we need to remember this when talking about countries ‘committing’ to sending troops to Ukraine.
Agreed, but the amount of false outrage from people who were not there and don’t give a flying fuck makes me puke a little! The orange man’s comment was a disrespect and ill informed which would hit the families of the lads who didn’t make it back mostly. Those are the people who deserve an apology, and a statement (which he has now put out) understanding the sacrifice their loved ones gave. It’s about the lads and the families, not the politicians and the media outlets who have an agenda to push! 👍
Yes, it’s a shame that the vast majority of people don’t really value our armed forces. Trump makes a post, and suddenly everyone defends or praises the military for a day, then straight back to not caring. Virtue signalling at its best.
Agreed mate! Most people don’t give a hoot about service personnel aside from families and some informed people as some do on here, and do it well. Trump talks shite as usual but it raises an opportunity for our Government to double down on him, claiming to support the veterans, yet just a few days prior redeemed the legacy act which protected NI vets from malicious prosecution over stuff that may or not happened 50 years prior! While the provos wander about with get out of jail free letters, kindly provided by HMG! That’s what I care about as a priority, not jumping on the anti-orange man bandwagon! Cheers.
“That difference was not about the soldiers. It was the result of political decisions made back home.”
Most NATO soldiers, from the serious countries, are very, very good.
And, a certain extent, the issue around RoEs and how that limited kinetic activity. There is an argument that UK forces were considerable hampered by this and it lead to a perception of weakness.
I found 2006 to be pretty RoE free after we moved into Sangin, not very productive but necessary. Agreed, pretty much all the other blokes from NATO I worked with were on the top of their game! (Even in 2001 the Bulgarian Bath and Laundry unit at the bus depot were top notch) 👍
Sorry 2002 😵💫
I agree, and that’s why I’m not putting the blame on the countries’ militaries I mentioned. It’s a fact that their governments sent them with far more caveats than others. That was a political decision, not a reflection on the skill or professionalism of the soldiers.
Starmer got Trump to backtrack because the UK was heavily involved in the fighting. Many other countries couldn’t make the same phone call, as their forces weren’t as heavily involved.
Well said.
And thanks for revealing your background.
Respect.
The Canadian brigade at Kandahar had US forces reporting to it routinel over the years there.
Canada did not take a sideline in the 15 years.
Yes, that’s why I mentioned Canada the way I did. They were fully engaged and didn’t take a sideline over the years.
It’s bears repeating always to all on this forum who I notice take stabs at Canada.
Canadian vets and Canadians are not impressed with what he said. That is putting it mildly.
I haven’t seen anyone taking stabs at Canada, to be fair?
I did the Calgary Stampede once, which was amazing, and then drove to Edmonton Mall and fired the .500 Magnum 👍 Great memories.
There has been some unfair comments about Canadian ability on this forum over the years. Hopefully those comments will be in the past with Canadian Armed Forces defence investment at $80 billion over the next 5 years with a litany of defence projects in play or will be.
Alberta is beautiful! BATUS
Mickey, who is criticising Canada?
A total of 159 Canadian Forces personnel and 7 civilians died during Canada’s military operations in Afghanistan, making it the largest single military mission casualty count for Canada since the Korean War. Canada experienced the 6th highest casualty figures pro rata.
Greg, I don’t recall that troops from Germany, Spain, Italy and Turkey were stationed ‘in hiding’ at Camp Bastion!
I didn’t say ‘in hiding,’ I said it was due to ‘national caveats,’ and I linked that to my concern with Ukraine.
I mentioned Camp Bastion because that’s realistically the place on this forum people would know. Anyhow, I’m no Camp Bastion expert; I spent less than a week there after years in country. Your comment comes across as quite high on the virtue-signalling scale, but having worked with members from these countries, I can tell you they were extremely outraged by these restrictions.
Anything coming from the mouth of this vile sack of shit is worthless.
Starmer? Yes agreed 🤣
Oh look, another british traitor that supports and defends Trump berating his country!
Give yourself a tea break please, where did I ever support Trump. Do yourself a favour, read my posts, and maybe make an effort at reading past your prejudice. A British Traitor, wow!
It sees my comment hit a nerve which makes it all the more true.
Not really.
If there is a silver lining to this, it seems that the risk of the UK getting properly angry at the US and severing ties in some way was considered grave enough for Trump to reverse his position and make a special announcement for us.
It reveals a level of respect and esteem (at least for what they would lose if we split) that I didn’t think was there in either Trump or his close circle.
Perhaps. I agree that this incident shows that sufficient public pressure can lead to political retractions in the USA. However, I don’t assume that’ll apply across all issues. American cultural perceptions of their military are generally more positive and nationalistic than those in the UK, and the chronology of the issue, with the GWOT being within living memory of various British and American veterans, means there will be disproportionate outcry in response to controversies relating to matters of the military personnel.
On the other hand, matters outside of that narrow field, such as aggression towards Greenland, the deadly tactics of immigration enforcement, the kidnapping and detention of foreign statesmen, et cetera, will not elicit the same united condemnation.
So, I’d conclude that this climb-down was not indicative of British influence in America, but rather the remaining American cultural devotion to the glorification of the GWOT.
I don’t think Trump will ever yield to diplomatic pressure in what he considers his sphere of influence, ie the Americas, you’re right. And equally I don’t think that the US veterans leaping to defend our honour was what forced the U-turn.
I think one of his more sane advisors realised that this issue was in danger of becoming the straw (more a log in this case) that broke the camel’s back and finally made the UK pursue an independent path from the US out of sheer anger. A quiet word when the president was in the right mood and he managed to smooth the whole situation down. It indicates that the US still needs us as an ally and friend, which is a good sign if we need to drive a bargain in future.
There is no level of esteem this is just to caress Reform and make sure they don’t lose another racist ally
At the end of the day, the war in Afghanistan was pointless and the guys that fought there are now damaged Reform voters.
When did we lose the ability as a society to write with nuance and perception?
FFS🙄
Well this Is going well, better than expected to be honest.
Maybe time for Hitler, Stalin and Satin himself to make an appearance, I’m sure some would give them a warm welcome ! 😱😁
“To hell In a Golf Cart” springs to mind.
Countless men and women have fought, and a great many died, to protect our right to freedom of expression. Let’s remember that. We do not always have to agree. That is the beauty of opinion and the freedom to express it.
Trumps previous comments have also been distatefiul for instance calling Senator John McCain a loser for being a Vietnam POW , so he has form when “getting back” at people to assert domination over the narrative.
The muppet show strikes again and it is shown daily in the kremlin. Putin’s Muppets, staring Donald Trump and the Whitehouse gang followed by direct from London, Spiting images live from the house of Commons. The Kremlin needs to have a little pick me up as the news out of Ukraine is pretty depressing, so they watch Putin’s bessy mate Trump destroy America and as a side order rip apart Nato, then with a big grin on Putin’s face he watches the UK’s parliament destroy its own armed forces.
What a great 20 minutes with my Sunday morning coffee watching MOTD.
Absolutely tremendous comments section, makes you proud to be British.
Yup, just the right balance of Insults, deflection, Keyboard Warrior bravado, Alcoholic sillyness, having the last word, childish ingredients.
Same as any other site really.
Humans are such a messed up race ! 😁😁😁
(oh and Vulcans too !😁🤦♂️)
I enjoyed MOTD last night, as both Wilson and Semenyo are in my FPL fantasy team and both scored, Wilso hauling.
Pity I Captained Haaland…he was benched.
I captained Ekitike 🤦🏻♂️ also have Haaland and Foden who was benched also, currently on 11 pts I’m having a shocker.
Lol. Good for you playing mate. The wife and I love it. It’s addictive.
It’s being reported the King had a word in trumps shell like!
Pretty daft some of the comments on here,yes trump’s comments were insulting but to call out people who were actually there and their observations again is a bit insulting! Even those countries that were risk adverse suffered casualties and the soldiers of those countries were probably frustrated with their governments policies as we are with ours! ( most of us anyway)
People in here need to lay off the buzzwords.. holy shit.. smh
Out of the mouth speaks the overflow of the heart. You can ever trust a man that cannot control his tongue.
So Trump has been made to apologise. Good, but what he really meant to say, he said. Totally unfit for any public office as was blatently obvious years before even his first term. Just a puppet of the evil billionaires destroying the planet & destroying the pesky inconvenience of liberty & democracy in the US.
Now is exactly the wrong time to be at the lowest nadir of UK defence strength. At least Trump’s rantings are making folks wake up to the dire peril democracy, freedom, the rule of law & civilisation is in today. If we appease evil, we’ll reap what we sow.
Thefe’s only one person who was ‘a little far back from the front line’. That’s Trump who apparently got his Dad to defer his Vietnam service 5 times with a probably invented foot condition. Has he ever even visited his troops on deployment as President?