Afghanistan

Today it is reported that President Karzai has said that if he is put under too much ‘pressure’ by the West over corruption and other issues relating to the ineptitude of his government ‘he might join the Taliban’. This astonishing declaration, coming on top of his outburst accusing the UN of organising electoral fraud, raises grave and pressing issues concerning the reliability of this man and the state of his mind.

We have our brave soldiers dying in his country fighting to defend his ramshackle administration from assault by the enemy now courted as a career option by this President, from whom credibility drains in a torrent. He is due in Washington shortly. If his invitation stands in the face of these outpourings, he can expect from President Obama some firm words. Very firm words indeed.