It comes as no surprise to learn that conditions on the ground are, on some counts, worsening As western forces eye the emergency exit in Afghanistan, not a month goes by without someone in charge lowering expectations. Last week, Nato’s secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen told this newspaper that the retreat could come sooner than expected in 2014, as morale had been sapped by insider killings. A day later, Sir Richard Stagg, Britain’s ambassador in Kabul, said the west had done enough “hand-holding” and Kabul should be left to get on with running the country. They are not moving the goalposts. They are walking off with them

Read More