There is a critical distinction between forbidding abuse of detainees already in captivity and micro-policing all military combat. The British troops in Basra are apparently demoralized because they fear legal consequences for shooting insurgents. That’s nuts. These soldiers have enough stress dealing with Baathists and Jihadists and Sadrites without worrying about being prosecuted by their own courts for casualties in legitimate combat. Money quote:
The combination of knowing that death might come at any time from a roadside bomb and that shooting back at Iraqis who attack them might result in their being court-martialled is putting immense pressure on young soldiers.
The doctors described morale in some units as very low with soldiers cynically suggesting they needed a solicitor with them before they shot back at any Iraqi who attacked them.
Blair needs to back his own troops on this one. So does the British public.
The Dish 