Afghanistan: Unfriendly Fire
The recent killing of British soldiers by their Afghan allies echoes events of the 19th century, writes Rob Johnson.
In 2011 there were 16 incidents in which NATO personnel were attacked by Afghan soldiers and police, resulting in 22 deaths. Such events create distrust just at the moment when NATO forces are preparing to change their emphasis from a combat to a training and support role. Can history provide any guidance on such a tragic issue? The British army, with its long record of colonial engagement, has confronted this dilemma before.
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