So far, 444 British personnel have died and countless more have been maimed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In both these hugely contentious wars, when America asked for our backing, despite deep national divisions, Britain provided more military support than any other nation.

After all the special relationship, although often strained, has served both countries well for over a century.


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The Falklands War was a perfect example. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan offered Margaret Thatcher his backing in her determination to retake the islands after the Argentine
Now an Argentine President is once again claiming sovereignty over 'Las Malvinas'.

The U.S. response? That it takes 'no position on the sovereignty claims of either party'. Last night, it was even suggested that this was punishment for a British court releasing details of U.S. torture of a terrorist suspect.

So when British soldiers are dying in Helmand in support of his foreign policy, President Obama 'takes no position' over Britain's right to territory which not only is ours without question, but had to be retaken at a cost of 254 British lives.

This deeply regrettable response leaves us with the question; what is the purpose of a special relationship that seems to involve British sacrifice on one side and American indifference on the other?

[Afghanistan could feel like a very cold and lonely place if the UK decides to pull out to protect British interests in the Falklands. Once the UK is out the chances of returning to the ME is about Zero.]

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1253862/DAILY-MAIL-COMMENT-Falklands-tests-special-relationship.html#ixzz0gdDACXyc