SIR – The military campaign in Afghanistan against the evils of Al-Quaeda and the Taliban is entirely justified.

Let us remember that American, British and other armed forces entered Afghanistan in pursuit of Bin Laden, the incredibly evil genius behind the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York and other atrocities which caused devastation and loss of thousands of innocent lives.

Bin Laden was and probably still is somewhere in the desolate mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hence the military actions in the latter country.

Alas, the idea gained ground, largely spread from Israel, that Saddam Hussein in Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. As a result the war was extended to the land of the Two Rivers, which was a waste of time, waste of money and above all, an appalling waste of human life. It should be remembered that Bin Laden is a fanatical Muslim fundamentalist where as Saddam was a Batthist secularist. They were natural enemies. Of course Hussein had no WMD – the whole things was farcical.

In fact, although no one in their right mind would suggest Saddam was a nice man, he was, in terms of political reality, doing a job the USA and UK wanted done. He was keeping the lid on things in that part of the world. Let us remember that for many years Saddam was an ally of the White House.

Saddam was executed but others, far worse, are allowed to survive, such as Mugabe.

Now the sooner the Americans, British and other foreigners are out of Iraq the better. Iraqis should be given their country back. On the other hand, unfortunately the American, British and others have no alternative but to soldier on literally and metaphorically in Afghanistan until a satisfactory conclusion is reached.

D E MARGRETT
Worcester