British Defense and the Modern World

Word from the House of Commons is that the British military won't be able to mount an operation similar in scope to the one in Iraq until 2008 or 2009. With commitments around the world already gobbling up the defense budget and manpower, General Sir Michael Walker told a Commons defense committe that it would take years to rebuild. We can hope these fears are exaggerated, but prudence dictates that we take them seriously.

And this depressing news comes from London, which has done a better job at maintaining its armed forces than other NATO countries of Europe. It's another reason for the US to continue to upgrade its own armed forces -- after all, upon whom are we to rely in a future emergency?