It is increasingly hard for the man/woman in the street to believe that we will leave – whenever that will be – with some semblance of a result – whatever that would be!

9 years after 9/11 and the Afghan invasion and you feel that it could easily be another 9 years, or another 19 years.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating pulling out just yet, but I do think there is a growing crisis of confidence as to whether we can succeed. And the recent murdering of 3 British soldiers by an Afghan soldier just adds to that feeling.

I think we are fast approaching the point where it will not be just the hearts and minds of Afghans that need to be won over , but the countries involved in the International mission as well.

But above all, if the Afghan government want us to succeed, then they have to work harder both to quell corruption and mis-government in their country, but they need to be winning the hearts and minds of their own people. It’s no use US/UK and others handing out sweets to children and building bridges etc- long term success needs an Afghan Government that is supported by its people and recognises its value and importance to long term stability.

Once that happens our boys can come home safe in the knowledge that their fallen comrades won’t have died in vain and that the mission has truly been a success. BUT that’s the problem as well – our success is reliant on the Afghan Governments success. And that make me feel really uncomfortable about the whole thing.