"I explained that their tactics were alienating the civil population and could lengthen the insurgency by a decade. Unfortunately, when we explained our rules of engagement which are based around the principle of minimum force, the US troops just laughed."
Amazing.
The officer said: "US troops have the attitude of shoot first and ask questions later.
Even more amazing.
According to senior British officers, US military operations are typified by "force protection" - the protection of troops at all costs - that allows American troops to open fire, using whatever means available, if they believe that their lives are under threat.
By contrast, the British military has a graduated response to a threat and its rules of engagement are based on the principle of minimum force. Troops also have to justify their actions in post-operation reports that are reviewed by the Royal Military Police, and any discrepancy can lead to charges including murder.
Well, there’s the difference! British troops have to JUSTIFY their actions. Yeah, that’s the ticket!
Full article at the Telegraph, but courtesy of Juan at Informed Comment.
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