London
Britain’s top army commander was forced to backpedal this week after he told a newspaper he thought Britain should pull out of Iraq. Gen. Richard Dannatt told the Daily Mail last week that British troops should leave Iraq “sometime soon, because our presence exacerbates the security problems.” After a flurry of phone calls between the prime minister’s office and the Defense Ministry, the general said he wanted to “clarify” his remarks. He does not support leaving Iraq until “the job is done,” he said. But then he added: “I’m not a maverick. I’m a soldier speaking up for his army.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.