My mother used to tell me: if wishes were horses then beggars would ride. This beggar wishes to ride the horse of peace and security.
No-one can really state for certain what the history books will say about this three-term Labour government, but it is a fair guess that the wars we have become involved in will figure highly, especially Iraq and Afghanistan. Thankfully, Iraq for us is almost over, and plans are being mooted for Afghanistan.
Whatever the merits of our involvement, war-weariness is becoming a theme. Wootton Bassett has leapt from obscurity to being a regular feature in our news, and although the casualties by standards of wars past are low, they are mounting up. The weekly roll-call at PMQs is a cheerless, if necessary, burden for Gordon Brown, and we all wish for the day when this ceases because lives are no longer being lost.
My wish for peace and security comes with the realisation that these can be mutually exclusive terms. The ongoing involvement in Afghanistan is argued for in the name of security, and I see no reason to doubt the advisers here.
Are the British uniquely disposed to be at risk? Is the UK a more likely target than our European neighbours? Seemingly yes, as our commitment is greater, and one cannot believe that France, Germany and others are lackadaisical about the fate of their citizenry. Our weddedness to US foreign policy, our cultural and economic closeness, and our enthusiasm for getting stuck in are factors in putting the UK at or near the bull’s eye on the international terrorists’ target.
I do not suggest a distancing from the USA or a reversal of previous policy. I think it is more nuanced than that. There are something like 21 nations involved in Afghanistan. We have the second largest contingent, and as a proportion of population our involvement is greater than that of the USA. If Germany, France, Italy and Spain can be involved, in fewer numbers and away from the severest fighting, then I cannot see why we may not either.
Our high profile does get us noticed, and hence makes the security argument stronger. It becomes a self-perpetuating cycle; getting involved makes us a target, and because we are such we have to get involved.
Following our European partners’ example is something I would push for. The creation of the EU was a response to the awful conflicts of the last century, and our joining was part of the peace and security argument. I fear we may have swapped local conflict for troubles farther afield.
I am no pacifist (although will admit to being such in my youth). Intervention is necessary at times. What really troubles me is not getting involved, but the size of our commitment, both in numbers of personnel, and length of stay. Military operations began in Afghanistan in 2001. Peace and security means picking the right fight, avoiding those we should not get involved in, and remaining for no longer than absolutely necessary.
General elections are rarely decided by foreign policy. Yet Iraq was a big factor in 2005, and I think Afghanistan will play a significant role this time around.