Politicians can raise concerns about the Afghan conflict – but they have a duty to make the case for our role there to the nation.

What shall we do in Afghanistan? We were doing so well. Now reports speak of NATO soldiers under constant attack.

The debate about Afghanistan is actually beginning to settle down a bit in the sense that what we are really talking about is becoming clearer.

It is depressing that it has taken the death of so many soldiers to reawaken the debate about our aims in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, the debate can be a healthy one if political posturing is avoided, and we all have a responsibility to engage in it.