The Dutch

Why am I not surprised?

Dutch politicians have repeatedly postponed a final decision on whether to send 1,200 troops to southern Afghanistan's Uruzgan province later this year. Many of the country's 150 MPs are concerned that Uruzgan province remains too dangerous. Last Nov. 11 Afghan government personnel were killed in Uruzgan and two kidnapped by militants.

Hello, Earth to Amsterdam, that's why you send them in the first place! If it wasn't dangerous (which, based on the above description, places the province at roughly the same danger level as pre-Katrina New Orleans) troops wouldn't be needed! Troops, you know, the guys that dress up in green and carry weapons. I swear, do Europeans even know what soldiers are for anymore? Or are they just seen as some kind of glorified police force? Is it a mystery why some people don't take these people seriously? Is it any wonder that Iran doesn't exactly run for cover when the Europeans make threats?

On the other hand, given the Dutch track record, maybe it's best for the people of Afghanistan if they don't send anyone.