So what influence does Britain have?

People often wonder, and often aloud what influence that we have over the US. Here is an answer (From Michael Yon's latest post).

Many British seem oddly ignorant of the influence they exert over the many Americans who tend to view the UK like a brother-nation whose advice they are
free to accept, argue with or disregard, anything except ignore it out of hand. Britain is the one country whose words seem to resonate in the US. Perhaps this respect is due more to the credibility of the British character, or maybe it is our shared history and common values, and perhaps it is also because America does not naturally doubt Britain’s motivations. Britain is the one country that can call the emperor naked, flagrantly say we are wrong, and not suffer animosity.

It seems to me to be a fair summary.

It is in a post that talks about the improvement in the situation in Basra in the months following British withdrawal from the Palace.

Swift and Bold

Helen at EU Referendum brings the latest writing of Michael Yon to my attention. It is about some events in May of this year while he was embedded with The Rifles that were not reported in the UK Press. A platoon of men, 24 of them led by a 2nd Lt on his first tour of duty, only 5 days off the boat find themselves surrounded by 200 well equipped and determined enemy. It is 9.40 at night and 4 1/2 hours before any support arrives,

"Rifleman Heeley and Rifleman Nunn, two of the soldiers in gym clothes, didn’t waste time joining battle, pulling on gear as they headed to the roof with 2Lt Lane. With bullets ripping across the roof, Heeley and Nunn crawled to different positions and began firing back. Under fire, Heeley, at only 21, turned out to be a natural combat leader. Wasting no time encouraging or yelling at other soldiers, Heeley took charge and throughout the 4.5 hour battle never once left the roof. He was one of only two soldiers to have fought the entire battle from that position.

Nunn, who had also come to the roof, turned out to be an animal, destroying at least 7 enemy positions. With all the lead flying it was a miracle he was not hit. Two hours into the fight, just as it was getting interesting, his beginner’s luck gave out when suddenly a bullet ripped through another soldier’s hand and smashed into Nunn’s thigh. Although Nunn wanted to stay he followed orders to get off the roof, down to the medic and get bandaged up. But a little later, 2Lt Lane spotted Nunn back on the roof, and ordered him to get back to the aid station; his leg wasn’t even properly dressed. Nunn disappeared off the roof, but in the dark he snuck back up to a position from which Lane couldn’t see him.

The guns were jamming because they had burned through the lubricant, so for 45 minutes Nunn brought around supplies of cooking oil, ammunition and water. Realizing Nunn was slightly out of his control, and though he knew his soldier would be better off sitting still, Lane finally relented and let Nunn continue fighting from a sanger.

Bullets and tracers ripped by Lane as he ran from sanger to sanger, moving his men into position and setting the tone of the fight. They fired back at an enemy that was probing and moving in. RPGs exploded, mortars rained down and the fighting stretched across one hour, then two, then three as the enemy probed for openings and Lane moved his men around to counter positions.

Go and read the whole thing. The Rifles swallowed the old Devon and Dorsets, whose cap badge I purloined as a cadet. I am honoured that I ever wore it (they turned down my application to join).

Decadence... Maybe?

A friend of mine has pointed me to what must be one of the more decadent places on the planet, The Baghdad Country Club.

Some highlights from its website include,
"What Baghdad was missing, apart from peace, stability and infrastructure, was some good wine"

and,

"In the world of chaos which is Baghdad there is an oasis of calm. If James Bond were to walk off the pages of a book; if Hemingway was again reporting on the world's troubles they could probably both be found relaxing over a drink at the Baghdad Country Club. So if you happen to be in Central Baghdad and know a person, who knows the whereabouts of the BCC, you too could be sitting in the cool shade with a vodka martini, mojito or your own personal favorite.

The Restaurant is arguably the finest in Baghdad and one has the choice of dining al fresco in the secured gardens or in the main restaurant adorned with mahogany walls and a clean and simple décor. The menu is a fusion of European and Arabic cuisine and the extensive wine list boasts such classics as vintage Margaux and Chablis through to Australian Shiraz, Chilean Cabernet and Californian Zinfandel. All of which can naturally be enjoyed with a choice of Cuban cigars from our walk in humidor. So if you ever find yourself in Baghdad and need to escape the hustle, come and rub shoulders with some of the more interesting and intriguing individuals that the world has to offer.

"No weapons are allowed in club. The management is happy to secure any firearms, grenades, flash bangs or knives in the club armory."

The membership also looks interesting,

Membership Info
Membership to the BCC is considered case by case based upon our strict vetting process. ...
It is strongly recommended that all applications are supported by an existing member.
Memberships will on occasion be awarded according to commendations for bravery and valuable service in order to recognise gallant and meritorious behaviour.

Good to see that they allow smoking.