Can someone tell me if there has ever been a period of sustained peace in Afghan history. At present they are fighting foreign peacekeepers and charity workers. If there are no foreigners to hand they simply fight each other, in clans or whatever. Beautiful scenery; hellish culture.

Janet, London,

If the US and NATO cannot control the poppy & heroin business what chance have they got against the Taliban? With comical leaders they installed in Kabul, NO chance at all. The Afghans have taught the British annd Soviet empires hard lessons in the past and probably will do the same to the US.

George, London, UK

In the 2nd to last para:'..according to Isaf..'.Who is Isaf, or did I miss a prior reference?After reading about the horrific atrocities by both sides in the Russia-Georgia conflict,incl.the abduction of young girls,doubtless the Taleban tribesmen feel justified in defending their own civilization.

Joan Moira Peters, Whangarei UK Citizen , temp o/seas in New Zealand

Looks like we're into "third reel of the movie" time.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

In any war, the biggest blunder will be to underestimate the enemy!

It appears that Nato planners don't know strength of Taliban and the support they are getting from Pakistan.

With turmoils in Pakistan, the support for Taliban will see a upsurge.

France will run with a repeat attack!

Krishna R. Kumar, Udupi, India

There has to be a out of wasteful destruction of life and property.All stakeholders particularly various elements of the Afghan society have to work out a sustainable solution.Afghanistan should become a truly neutral state with different regions enjoying a high degree of autononomy.

Afzal A. Neseem, Lincoln Nebraska, U.S.A.

Its is incredibly easy to criticise and to throw out angry and negative comments. It might be nice for a change for some suggestions of how to help or sort out the situation in Afghanistan based on the realities of the situation. Withdrawal is not an option.

Simon, London, UK

The Afghanis seem to be condemned to rule by drug growers/ Islamist thugs. Pity the poor women and children who have no future, no education etc.

But, the thugs are not fools and a split in NATO via the French would suit them. M. Sarkosy's move will not be conducive to their happiness.

leila , manchester, uk

And this hi-tech weaponry is coming from...?

Graham Rounce, London, UK

Remember the honourable dead.

Despite the political reasons they are there, the soldiers are carrying out their duties with more bravery than all of us put together (ex-army vets excluded).

"Support our troops" doesnt mean we are supporting the politicians who sent them.

Marc, Antrim, N Ireland

Dennis from Plymouth quite clearly knows nothing about firearms and ballistics.

Mark, Congleton, UK

The Soviet Unin withdrew from Afghanistan after ten years. It will be interesting to see if NATO will stand for that long. So far the only observable result of their operation is ten fold increase of drug traffic through Afghanistan north border.

Ivan, Moscow, Russia

Over 100 British soldiers dead and now 10 French squadies in a single ambush no wonder, with the laughable UK SA80, dare I say, assault rifle and the French equally timid FAMAS rifle. Both fire 5.5 rounds with an miserable range of (max) 450m whilst the Taliban can kill from a 1,000m. Tragic.

Dennis, Plymouth, Devon

Agree with David - been there before with the British Empire and USSR why not leave them alone. Terrorist threat is just more BS to scare the US electorate. According to them US should have been over run by commies decades ago !!USA will start WW3 in Europe soon if your Polish or Czech hide !!!

kiwibob, auckland,

Pretty simplistic rant from Dave (Aukland). Fancy being amonst those many non Southern tribe Afghans who fought the Taliban for so long if they take over again? Afghanistan is certainly a mess but it is a country of many peoples. Just pulling out is a feebly simplistic solution.

Jack, Londn, UK

And the alternative?

AQ in control and Afghanistan becomes a training ground for future terrorists?

A stable peaceful Afghanistan in charge of its own affairs is the ideal. I can't see that happening without the afghans and west working together convincing afghans we're here to help not occupy.

jules, Exeter, UK

Oi Mac..the problem with the Russian involvement was that the Afghans were against them. This conflict is different. Nobody wants the Taleban in there..they are an obscene group who are hated by their own people. I get so annoyed at this defeatist attitude. Sympathise with the families of the dead!

kirk, Rotherham, UK

Good for the insurgents. They are defending their land.
All talk of democracy and western values... Do people really believe that rubbish.. or do they actually know they are complicit in murder and occupation for cheap transit of pipelines?

Conrad Konig, London, UK

In a word? Oil.

Thank you and good night.

Scott, Los Angeles, USA

God bless the French soldiers and their families. They are fighting for freedom from terrorism and we in the United States appreciate their ultimate sacrifice.

Wm., Madison, Wisconsin , USA

7 years and still no democracy or reelection. Hamid Karzai has been the prime minister or government head since the invasion. Only a few have been ruling and the rest mind their business so they do not caught between talebans and the ruling government. Foreigner's come and go all the time.

Naleen Lal, Northern California,

"Struggle against terrorism"? Pull the other one. What's going on in Afghanistan is an occupation by foreign forces. The locals don't want to be occupied and will win in the end, as they always have. Remember the USSR's humiliating defeat?

David MacGregor, Auckland , New Zealand