'Long war' model bodes ill for West

In doing so, they have inadvertently admitted that the war against the Taliban cannot be won.

Once an occupying army loses control of the highways and roads it has no hope of controlling, let alone permanently occupying, the surrounding countryside.

Nowhere was this better demonstrated than in south Armagh during the British army's long war against the Provisional IRA.

After a long and bloody war of attrition, the British military was eventually able to gain the upper hand in the major cities and towns of the north of Ireland.

Yet the British army was never able to take control of the roads and lanes away from the South Armagh Brigade of the Provisional IRA.

When the roads became too dangerous, the British army was forced to retreat to fortified watchtowers.

Whenever a British army foot patrol ventured out the South Armagh Brigade, on its own terms and home ground, was able to continuously harass the "occupying power."

Out of sight of the army, it went on to plan and implement successful "spectaculars" in the very heart of London.

Eventually the British military and politicians recognised this weakness and agreed terms acceptable to both sides.

Must we wait 30 years before the US government reaches similar terms with the Taliban?

If so, better to bring British troops home now and avoid countless more young people killed or maimed in a lost cause.

Mick Hall Grays