we are going to catch up with month. we are going to catch up with the weather. there may be reined in going into the far south—east of england overnight and for the northern isles were here we see the windies where they go into tomorrow morning. a set than gusts of 70 mph can be expected. showers overnight and mostly in the west. it is coldest in the north of scotland. a touch of frost yet attempt is for close to freezing. many of tomorrow will start the day dry with some sunshine. there will be showers from the word go in the west. some of these heavy and may be a rumble of thunder and they will tend to migrate a little further east as we go on to the day. dodging a few downpours and longer spells of rain still around northern scotland. it will be a windy day. these average speeds we can expect them gusts in the range of 35—45 mph and it will

16 or 17 degrees for the south—east of england. hello, this is bbc news with lukwesa burak. after days of hearing at the pumps, retailers and say there is an improvement nationwide all fuel supplies remain critical in london and southeast england. an american private equity firm is set to take over morrisons. the home secretary says police must raise the bar by taking the harassment of women more seriously. and thousands of people gather in cities across the united states for marches in support of abortion rights. protests are taking place in all 50 states. the queen officially opens the sixth section

officially opens the sixth section of the scottish parliament of holyrood and speaks of her affection of the country. now on bbc news, its political thinking with nick robinson. hello, welcome to political thinking. the programme in which i have a conversation with, not an interrogation of, someone who shapes our political thinking. my guest is the chief of the chief staff, britton�*s top soldier in the prime minister's talk adviser, general sir nick carter. the cry has gone out to call in the army to help deliver fuel, to deal with the fact the nhs in some places is running out of ambulances. call in the army to help

deliver the vaccines. we believe in the value of our armed forces, and yet all this comes at a time when there are real question marks about what has gone wrong over the past 20 years. wrong in iraq, wrong in afghanistan. welcome to political thinking. afghanistan. welcome to political thinkina. . ., , . �*, ., thinking. inc. you very much. it's a ureat thinking. inc. you very much. it's a great privilege- _ thinking. inc. you very much. it's a great privilege. you _ thinking. inc. you very much. it's a great privilege. you only _ thinking. inc. you very much. it's a great privilege. you only have - thinking. inc. you very much. it's a great privilege. you only have a - thinking. inc. you very much. it's a| great privilege. you only have a few weeks after — great privilege. you only have a few weeks after four _ great privilege. you only have a few weeks after four decades _ great privilege. you only have a few weeks after four decades in - weeks after four decades in the army. do you approach the end of this time with trauma, with relief, with excitement?— this time with trauma, with relief, with excitement? gosh, it's mixed emotions. i've _ with excitement? gosh, it's mixed emotions. i've been _ emotions. i've been institutionalised from between 43—41; years. it's going to be quite a wrench. but i think there are all sorts of opportunities. i have to

confess, i've been relentless and i'm actually looking forward to spending a bit more time with my wife and my family and my golf. the last eiuht wife and my family and my golf. the last eight weeks have been pretty relentless. we'll talk about the ethical and withdrawal later, but as lead to personal criticism of you and other leaders — — afghan withdrawal. is that a frustrating thing? withdrawal. is that a frustrating thin ? , , ., withdrawal. is that a frustrating thin? , ., ., withdrawal. is that a frustrating thing? yes, you are not necessarily in a position _ thing? yes, you are not necessarily in a position to _ thing? yes, you are not necessarily in a position to answer _ thing? yes, you are not necessarily in a position to answer back, - thing? yes, you are not necessarily in a position to answer back, and i in a position to answer back, and criticism is painful. but one has to realise you're communicating in modern media to multiple audiences and you can't please everybody. i think what you have to do is be true to yourself, to the advice you're giving, and then i think you can probably find a way through it. is it also the case that people who do mike sort ofjob, in this era, have very rarely had any service? i think

that's very — very rarely had any service? i think that's very fair. _ very rarely had any service? i think that's very fair. i _ very rarely had any service? i think that's very fair. i think _ that's very fair. i think particularly my generation which has served in the campaign since 9/11, we've lost a lot of people under our command, and that has a marked effect on you. not a day goes by when i don't think of the people who died under my command and wonder whether my plan could have been better. so i think vermont's ability that comes with the job i do is something a lot of opinions don't understand it — — responsibility. i want to reflect on the times you've had. let's begin with how on earth you ended up where you are. was it always going to be the army? definitely not. it wasn't until i planned... my father was clear that universities went on his sheet. filth. universities went on his sheet. 0h, reall ? universities went on his sheet. oh, really? yeah- _ universities went on his sheet. oh, really? yeah. on _ universities went on his sheet. oh, really? yeah. on the _ universities went on his sheet. oh, really? yeah. on the basis-

universities went on his sheet. oh, really? yeah. on the basis of- really? yeah. on the basis of that, it was i suggest — really? yeah. on the basis of that, it was i suggest you _ really? yeah. on the basis of that, it was i suggest you go _ really? yeah. on the basis of that, it was i suggest you go in - really? yeah. on the basis of that, it was i suggest you go in the - it was i suggest you go in the army, and made the professional qualification. he did half his life and the army, and that he worked in insurance. he thought the army was a good career. i think he was surprised that i stayed and profited, but he thought it was a good thing to do for three years. it almost went horribly wrong when you were kicked out of winchester college. i were kicked out of winchester colleae. .,, �* were kicked out of winchester colleae. �* , , college. i wasn't terribly successful. _ college. i wasn't terribly successful. i— college. i wasn't terribly successful. i was - college. i wasn't terribly successful. i was drawn | college. i wasn't terribly i successful. i was drawn to college. i wasn't terribly - successful. i was drawn to the golf course. i got called out. i reverted to private soldier. it course. i got called out. i reverted to private soldier.— to private soldier. it should be because you — to private soldier. it should be because you can't _ to private soldier. it should be because you can't play - to private soldier. it should be because you can't play golf! i to private soldier. it should be - because you can't play golf! absent without leave. _ because you can't play golf! absent without leave. the _ because you can't play golf! absent without leave. the theory - because you can't play golf! absent without leave. the theory was - because you can't play golf! absent without leave. the theory was that | without leave. the theory was that ou would without leave. the theory was that you would join _ without leave. the theory was that you would join the _ without leave. the theory was that you would join the army, - without leave. the theory was that you would join the army, leave - without leave. the theory was that | you would join the army, leave and do what? i you would 'oin the army, leave and do what? ~ , ., ., do what? i think my father thought accountancy- _ do what? i think my father thought accountancy. and _ do what? i think my father thought accountancy. and he _ do what? i think my father thought accountancy. and he had _ do what? i think my father thought accountancy. and he had a - do what? i think my father thought accountancy. and he had a good i do what? i think my father thought - accountancy. and he had a good mate,

and the answer was i was going to work for smith and williamson. three years in, i rang a friend. what kept ou in? years in, i rang a friend. what kept you in? people. — years in, i rang a friend. what kept you in? people, first _ years in, i rang a friend. what kept you in? people, first and _ years in, i rang a friend. what kept| you in? people, first and foremost. responsibility. _ you in? people, first and foremost. responsibility, interesting - you in? people, first and foremost. responsibility, interesting places. responsibility, interesting places and tasks, tours in cyprus and the opportunity to do more things like that. ., . ~ ., opportunity to do more things like that. ., ., ., that. you look back to those of you who've served _ that. you look back to those of you who've served in _ that. you look back to those of you who've served in the _ that. you look back to those of you who've served in the troubles. - that. you look back to those of you | who've served in the troubles. huge responsibility at a young age. was that a traumatic thing to live through? that a traumatic thing to live throu . h? , ., that a traumatic thing to live throu~h? , ., ., ., through? yes and no. i mean i don't--- _ through? yes and no. i mean i don't--- i— through? yes and no. i mean i don't... i only _ through? yes and no. i mean i don't. .. i only did _ through? yes and no. i mean i don't. .. i only did six - through? yes and no. i mean i don't. .. i only did six months. | don't... i only did six months. nowadays, they do a year. in those days, i was commanding my platoon in northern ireland. i wasjust 18 years old and i remember arriving in londonderry, having driven from the

overnight ferry in belfast. got it wrong, but my nap — — miraculously found my way. hat wrong, but my nap - - miraculously found my way-— found my way. not the ideal place for soldiers- _ found my way. not the ideal place for soldiers. no. _ found my way. not the ideal place for soldiers. no. we _ found my way. not the ideal place for soldiers. no. we were - found my way. not the ideal place for soldiers. no. we were a - found my way. not the ideal place for soldiers. no. we were a bit - for soldiers. no. we were a bit naive in those _ for soldiers. no. we were a bit naive in those days. _ for soldiers. no. we were a bit naive in those days. but - for soldiers. no. we were a bit naive in those days. but i - for soldiers. no. we were a bit - naive in those days. but i remember arriving and being told to get my uniform on and i'd be commanding my platoon. uniform on and i'd be commanding my latoon. ., ~' uniform on and i'd be commanding my latoon. ., ~ ., ., , platoon. you knew would have been the tar: et. platoon. you knew would have been the target- for _ platoon. you knew would have been the target. for sure. _ platoon. you knew would have been the target. for sure. we _ platoon. you knew would have been the target. for sure. we were - platoon. you knew would have been the target. for sure. we were going to an ambush _ the target. for sure. we were going to an ambush on _ the target. for sure. we were going to an ambush on the _ the target. for sure. we were going to an ambush on the road _ the target. for sure. we were going to an ambush on the road towards l the target. for sure. we were going l to an ambush on the road towards the past, which was very notable. the veterans will know very well. it was an extraordinary thing to do, and my commander listened to the orders i gave. my sergeant was very much there to make sure they were decent orders. but you are thrown in at the deep end, and it was once in circumstances where you think or sam. i think the system around you wanted to to succeed — — sink or

swim. wanted to to succeed - - sink or swim. �* , ., ., wanted to to succeed - - sink or swim. �* .,, .. wanted to to succeed - - sink or swim. .. , ., swim. but you do succeed, is what something — swim. but you do succeed, is what something people _ swim. but you do succeed, is what something people call _ swim. but you do succeed, is what something people call of _ swim. but you do succeed, is what something people call of political i something people call of political soldier. you get drafted into make plans for politicians. when it comes to the gulf war, you were involved in the planning of that. i to the gulf war, you were involved in the planning of that.— in the planning of that. i was workin: in the planning of that. i was working for— in the planning of that. i was working for the _ in the planning of that. i was working for the land - in the planning of that. i was working for the land deputy l in the planning of that. i was - working for the land deputy joint working for the land deputyjoint commander who had been a former sas officer. he was the first dinner while officer to travel to saudi arabia — — general officer. storming? arabia - - general officer. storming?— arabia - - general officer. stormin: ? ., , �* arabia - - general officer. stormina? �* ., , storming? indeed. he wasn't really uuite a storming? indeed. he wasn't really quite a storming — storming? indeed. he wasn't really quite a storming norming. - storming? indeed. he wasn't really quite a storming norming. we - storming? indeed. he wasn't really l quite a storming norming. we arrived at half past midnight, and it was very clear in the conversation that he looked at mike wilkes's arms and said he didn't want any... special forces. he wanted tax. i remember

writing tax in my notebook. in what became a series _ writing tax in my notebook. in what became a series of _ writing tax in my notebook. in what became a series of mass _ became a series of mass mobilizations and major conflicts, you must be aware that people look back at those — not the gulf war, but what some call the second goal for in iraq — they say they all failed. jeremy corbyn came to office because he was right about that, wasn't he? i because he was right about that, wasn't he?— wasn't he? i think it's a powerful term and it's _ wasn't he? i think it's a powerful term and it's easy _ wasn't he? i think it's a powerful term and it's easy to _ wasn't he? i think it's a powerful term and it's easy to reflect - wasn't he? i think it's a powerful term and it's easy to reflect on l term and it's easy to reflect on whether we failed to win battles, probably didn't succeed in many wars. we probably didn't failed to win the battles. i also think in the case of afghanistan, it's too early to say whether it was a failure. but

i would observe that 60% of afghans had been born six 2001 and they were very different... had been born six 2001 and they were very different- - -_ very different... coming to the detail of the _ very different... coming to the detail of the afghan _ very different... coming to the l detail of the afghan withdrawal. very different... coming to the i detail of the afghan withdrawal. i just wonder what if any conclusions you can draw from the fact that not one, but a whole series of military interventions have not succeeded. was it that we perhaps got over cocky? that the political class had seen success? had seen some success dealing with saddam hussein? and thought they could make the world a better place? i thought they could make the world a better place?— better place? i think if you look back, better place? i think if you look back. you'll— better place? i think if you look back, you'll risk _ better place? i think if you look back, you'll risk all— better place? i think if you look back, you'll risk all - _ better place? i think if you look back, you'll risk all - - - better place? i think if you look back, you'll risk all - - recall. back, you'll risk all — — recall that was the era was about. tony blair had a view on how we could make the world a better place. but i

think it's deeper than that, and a lot has been written between the interaction between senior military leadership and policy makers, and i think how that relationship works is pretty fundamental to the lexington �*s that we learn from the campaigns — — the lessons. the military has a very important responsibility to make sure they receive the right political guidance, and policymakers have a responsibility to give the right political guidance. i5 have a responsibility to give the right political guidance. is there a difficulty that _ right political guidance. is there a difficulty that you're _ right political guidance. is there a difficulty that you're hinting - right political guidance. is there a difficulty that you're hinting at. right political guidance. is there a difficulty that you're hinting at in l difficulty that you're hinting at in the way the military talks? you are by definition can—do people. some people describe it as happy talk. you're asking people to risk their lives, and politicians, particularly with no experience in the armed forces, can mistake that and think it's going to be fine.— it's going to be fine. there's definitely — it's going to be fine. there's definitely something - it's going to be fine. there's definitely something about | definitely something about leadership and the importance of

leadership, because if you ask people to do difficult things, often things where they can lose their lives, you're hardly likely to do it if you're not positive in your approach. but you have to be realistic. i'm fundamentally not political in my approach. behind closed years — — doors, i'm very clear. in public, i not necessarily reveal mike zeiss because it's not my position — — my advice. i'm going to try to be positive when it's appropriate. to try to be positive when it's appropriate-— to try to be positive when it's amroriate. ., �*, ., , appropriate. you said it's too early to know whether _ appropriate. you said it's too early to know whether our _ appropriate. you said it's too early to know whether our withdrawal i appropriate. you said it's too early to know whether our withdrawal in j to know whether our withdrawal in afghanistan marks a moment of failure. how could it ever be anything other than a failure, given that the people who are running it 20 years ago haven't changed very much? i 20 years ago haven't changed very much? ~' ~ ., , ., 20 years ago haven't changed very much? ~' ~ . , ., , 20 years ago haven't changed very much? ~ ~ . , ., , ., , much? i think afghanistan is really only governed _ much? i think afghanistan is really

only governed inclusively. .. - much? i think afghanistan is really only governed inclusively. .. last i only governed inclusively... last time was probably the early 1970s. what you now see is one game coming in with a different view and they are not going to succeed in the way they will govern, because they are governing and exclusive way. i'm afraid we are likely to see some more blood—letting, and that is something many of us predicted. and that blood—letting perhaps will lead in a few more years to a recognition that they've got to form amongst afghans a government that can govern all afghans. and i think because 60% have been born since 2001, they don't want to return to the middle ages. i think they perhaps will encourage their country to think of more inclusively about how it should be governed, and that's where i have hope. be governed, and that's where i have ho e. �* , ., be governed, and that's where i have hoe. �*, ., ., be governed, and that's where i have hoe. �*, ., , hope. let's go back to some things that did seem _ hope. let's go back to some things that did seem to _ hope. let's go back to some things that did seem to go _ hope. let's go back to some things that did seem to go wrong. - hope. let's go back to some things that did seem to go wrong. did - that did seem to go wrong. did british politicians and not pay enough attention to the fact that in

the united states, they made a really cross party decision to get out and get out quickly? ila. really cross party decision to get out and get out quickly?- really cross party decision to get out and get out quickly? no, i think the national — out and get out quickly? no, i think the national security _ out and get out quickly? no, i think the national security council- the national security council understood all of that.- the national security council understood all of that. knew that biden might _ understood all of that. knew that biden might set _ understood all of that. knew that biden might set a _ understood all of that. knew that biden might set a very _ understood all of that. knew that biden might set a very early - understood all of that. knew that i biden might set a very early date to get out? i biden might set a very early date to net out? ., �* ~' biden might set a very early date to retout? g a, , , biden might set a very early date to retout? .,�* ~'., , get out? i don't think anybody was surrised get out? i don't think anybody was surprised by _ get out? i don't think anybody was surprised by the _ get out? i don't think anybody was surprised by the decision - get out? i don't think anybody was surprised by the decision of - surprised by the decision of president biden. i'm on the record of saying it wasn't the decision we hoped for, but i think the die was cast in february 2020, when president trump signed that deal. it was then cast. it _ president trump signed that deal. it was then cast. it was _ president trump signed that deal. it was then cast. it was extended - president trump signed that deal. it was then cast. it was extended to i was then cast. it was extended to au . ust. was then cast. it was extended to august- so _ was then cast. it was extended to august- so the — was then cast. it was extended to august. so the people _ was then cast. it was extended to august. so the people who - was then cast. it was extended to | august. so the people who argued that we could've _ august. so the people who argued that we could've just _ august. so the people who argued that we could've just carried - august. so the people who argued that we could've just carried on - august. so the people who argued that we could've just carried on as| that we could've just carried on as we were, that there were no casualties at the hand of the taliban, why didn't we just stick with the status quo? was that a

delusion? i with the status quo? was that a delusion? , ., , ~ with the status quo? was that a delusion? , ., , ,, delusion? i personally think so because i _ delusion? i personally think so because i think _ delusion? i personally think so because i think the _ delusion? i personally think so because i think the taliban - delusion? i personally think so i because i think the taliban would have gone on the offence against us. i think we'd have had to reinforce our presence on the ground. let’s i think we'd have had to reinforce our presence on the ground. let's go back to your — our presence on the ground. let's go back to your own _ our presence on the ground. let's go back to your own service. _ our presence on the ground. let's go back to your own service. yes, - our presence on the ground. let's go back to your own service. yes, you i back to your own service. yes, you are in charge, but you served for many years before that. if you go way back to the invasion of iraq in 2003, you were not there but you are doing a fascinating job in government. doing a fascinating “0b in governmentfi doing a fascinating “0b in government. doing a fascinating “0b in rovernment. , :: :: , government. yes. in 2002, i did my first afghanistan _ government. yes. in 2002, i did my first afghanistan tour _ government. yes. in 2002, i did my first afghanistan tour and _ government. yes. in 2002, i did my first afghanistan tour and got - government. yes. in 2002, i did my first afghanistan tour and got very l first afghanistan tour and got very involved in nation building, if we can put it like that. i got a bit of a reputation for understanding how one might rebuild states after they had collapsed, so i was brought into a joint team had collapsed, so i was brought into ajoint team in had collapsed, so i was brought into a joint team in the foreign office. 0urjob was to try and encourage the

coalition led by the americans to think through to the finish and think through to the finish and think hard about what might happen once iraq was defeated militarily. it was a very interesting job. fascinating in particular because the one thing everything thought failed, failure to plan for the aftermath. failed, failure to plan for the aftermath-— failed, failure to plan for the aftermath. . , aftermath. indeed, and these were thins aftermath. indeed, and these were thin . s that aftermath. indeed, and these were things that l _ aftermath. indeed, and these were things that i think _ aftermath. indeed, and these were things that i think some _ aftermath. indeed, and these were things that i think some of - aftermath. indeed, and these were things that i think some of us - aftermath. indeed, and these were things that i think some of us had i things that i think some of us had some questions to ask about. we know this was comprehensively covered by the inquiry... but this was comprehensively covered by the inquiry---— the inquiry... but you would say you did for c? l — the inquiry... but you would say you did for c? | think — the inquiry... but you would say you did for c? i think we _ the inquiry... but you would say you did for c? i think we were _ did for c? i think we were very worried about _ did for c? i think we were very worried about how— did for c? i think we were very worried about how this - did for c? i think we were very worried about how this would l worried about how this would work out. ., worried about how this would work out. . ., , ., worried about how this would work out. . ., i. ., worried about how this would work out. . ., ., , worried about how this would work out. . ., . , ., out. later on, you are serving on the ground — out. later on, you are serving on the ground as — out. later on, you are serving on the ground as a _ out. later on, you are serving on the ground as a commander - out. later on, you are serving on the ground as a commander in i out. later on, you are serving on i the ground as a commander in baz era. you will be familiar with this charge. i suspect it's one that frustration too, but there's a joke and the american army, how many brits does it take to clear as row?

none, they couldn't hold it except for the marines. i do none, they couldn't hold it except for the marines.— none, they couldn't hold it except for the marines. i do remember that. that happened... _ for the marines. i do remember that. that happened... the _ for the marines. i do remember that. that happened... the answer- for the marines. i do remember that. that happened... the answer is - for the marines. i do remember that. that happened... the answer is i - that happened... the answer is i think the people involved at the time, they thought they came to an accommodation with the forces of the iraq he military on the ground, and they thought it would prevail — iraqi. it became a target of influence, and that took the forces of the coalition as a whole to resolve it. in of the coalition as a whole to resolve it— of the coalition as a whole to resolve it. in a sense, we see the exact mirror— resolve it. in a sense, we see the exact mirror in — resolve it. in a sense, we see the exact mirror in hell— resolve it. in a sense, we see the exact mirror in hell manned - - i exact mirror in hell manned — — helmand and heroic efforts made but it collapsed again, the americans had to come in? i

it collapsed again, the americans had to come in?— had to come in? i think if you look at afghanistan _ had to come in? i think if you look at afghanistan as _ had to come in? i think if you look at afghanistan as a _ had to come in? i think if you look at afghanistan as a whole, - had to come in? i think if you look. at afghanistan as a whole, kandahar was the centre of gravity. it's where the taliban it emerged from in the 90s. if you're going to adopt what became described as a population centric approach, you will need a lot of troops. i think people were not trying to do that and the mission began to change over time. by the time i was there in 2009, president 0bama signed up to the so—called search and that's why so many troops arrived. the so-called search and that's why so many troops arrived.— so many troops arrived. there was never going _ so many troops arrived. there was never going to _ so many troops arrived. there was never going to be _ so many troops arrived. there was never going to be a _ so many troops arrived. there was never going to be a solution, - so many troops arrived. there was never going to be a solution, wasl never going to be a solution, was another view. and there were people even as the surgeon was taking place, this is the moment to say to the taliban, we need to do a deal — — the surge. the taliban, we need to do a deal - - the surge-— the taliban, we need to do a deal -

- the surae. ~ - the surge. when we met with david cameron, - the surge. when we met with david cameron. the — - the surge. when we met with david cameron. the day _ - the surge. when we met with david cameron, the day before, _ - the surge. when we met with david cameron, the day before, i _ - the surge. when we met with david cameron, the day before, i gave - - the surge. when we met with david cameron, the day before, i gave an l cameron, the day before, i gave an interview to the guardian newspaper. david cameron was not impressed with this. it was against policy, but also stole the headlines. you will also stole the headlines. you will also recall that we went back up to kabul, where we were given an audience with the president. he said what generals should have been saying since 2002. you are never going to solve this problem unless you bring anybody into the tent. if you bring anybody into the tent. if you look at the mission, it was not a mission at the beginning. the bush administration did not do nation—building, it was about bear hunting. it was appropriate for them to work with these characters. bear huntin: , to work with these characters. bear hunting. looking — to work with these characters. bear hunting, looking for— to work with these characters. bear hunting, looking for bin laden? to work with these characters. bear| hunting, looking for bin laden? and al-qaeda hunting, looking for bin laden? jifuc al-qaeda more hunting, looking for bin laden? fific al-qaeda more generally. hunting, looking for bin laden? e"ic

al-qaeda more generally. but hunting, looking for bin laden? el"ic al-qaeda more generally. but it was very difficult to start nation—building when you needed to work from the ground up words. i think people can see the campaign evolved, but by then, we made a mistake. ., , , evolved, but by then, we made a mistake. . , , ., , mistake. there has been a big debate about how our — mistake. there has been a big debate about how our armed _ mistake. there has been a big debate about how our armed forces - mistake. there has been a big debate about how our armed forces should l mistake. there has been a big debate | about how our armed forces should be configured in the future. a big review came to out, lots of talks of concepts we barely understand. does what's happened in afghanistan make us think, hold on, before we abandon all that stuff about mass mobilisation, let's remember we still need an army?— still need an army? yes, and of course, still need an army? yes, and of course. some — still need an army? yes, and of course, some of— still need an army? yes, and of course, some of the _ still need an army? yes, and of course, some of the challengesj still need an army? yes, and of - course, some of the challenges we're having at the moment would explain why we need a force of national resilience. but the bottom line is that we've already learned a lot of lessons from the afghan campaign,

and we know very well that if you are going to get involved in these sorts of environments again, you need to have the basic insight to have an effect. if you go in there without that, you are going to fail. we've already begun to get the army in particular to be reconfigured to be better able to be engaged with indigenous forces in areas that potentially have become failed states in order to help build the capacity of those local forces to take the problems on their selves. is it also a problem... you referred to your generations as the post—9/ii generation. is it possible that public opinion here and the us will say after afghanistan, after syria, no thank you, we don't want any more of that. , r, no thank you, we don't want any more of that. , , _ no thank you, we don't want any more of that. , ._ _ ., no thank you, we don't want any more ofthat. , ., , of that. they may say that, but it de-ends of that. they may say that, but it depends on _ of that. they may say that, but it depends on what _ of that. they may say that, but it depends on what sort _

of that. they may say that, but it depends on what sort of- of that. they may say that, but it l depends on what sort of world they want to live in. we've never had a more interconnected world. if we are not compared to compete, it might not compared to compete, it might not be a world we want to live in. why so? not be a world we want to live in. wh so? ~ , ., ., why so? we will end up in a world with totalitarian _ why so? we will end up in a world with totalitarian surveillance. - with totalitarian surveillance. that's why. .. with totalitarian surveillance. that's why... if we want with totalitarian surveillance. that's why. .. if we want to stand with totalitarian surveillance. that's why... if we want to stand up for the life we have, we cannot put ourselves back. we have to become part of the global enterprise, and that's why we need to be involved. you mention another role that the army are playing in the moment, the force of national resilience. when the politicians ring you up and say, "can you help us with the vaccine is not" or now this week, we need fuel delivered? are you pleased or do you think, why don't you get your act together on your own? it’s

together on your own? it's complicated. _ together on your own? it's complicated. i _ together on your own? it�*s complicated. i often used to say that the armed forces have probably never been more popular emerging from the campaigns, but the popularity has been based upon sympathy and not empathy. so the opportunities to do the olympics or support the government or drive tankers in a fuel crisis, these are opportunities to show ourselves off and show the qualities and values that we stand for. the answer is, i'm clearly think this is a positive opportunity. but equally, we have to recognise our proper role, to deter who we're up against from fighting us. ., . who we're up against from fighting us. ., ., , who we're up against from fighting us. ., . , ., ., us. you have been in the room where it happens- — us. you have been in the room where it happens- you _ us. you have been in the room where it happens. you advise _ us. you have been in the room where it happens. you advise prime - it happens. you advise prime minister �*s. what you make of the quality of the national leadership that we have, and whether we have

people who really understand the world in the way you would want them to? i world in the way you would want them to? ~ ., world in the way you would want them to? ~' . ., world in the way you would want them to? ~ ., ., , to? i think i have found sitting around to? i think i have found sitting aground the — to? i think i have found sitting aground the council— to? i think i have found sitting aground the council table - to? i think i have found sitting aground the council table that| to? i think i have found sitting - aground the council table that the system isn't bad. i think the people who sit around that table come from different perspectives. i think they're very well advised and we still produce very good national security experts and professionals. i think our services are world—class. so the answer is i think providing politicians who are prepared to listen and apply the politics to the advice, i think we'll be fine.— politics to the advice, i think we'll be fine. not the highest form of raise it we'll be fine. not the highest form of praise it sounds. _ we'll be fine. not the highest form of praise it sounds. you're - of praise it sounds. you're doing what you have to do, make do with the people you're offered. that what you have to do, make do with the people you're offered.- the people you're offered. at the end of the _ the people you're offered. at the end of the day. _ the people you're offered. at the end of the day, i _ the people you're offered. at the end of the day, i serve _ the people you're offered. at the end of the day, i serve the - the people you're offered. at the end of the day, i serve the prime minister and we live in a democracy, and i wouldn't have it any other way. and i wouldn't have it any other

wa . ~ ., h and i wouldn't have it any other wa .~ . �*, . and i wouldn't have it any other way. what's fascinating, you're - re arin . way. what's fascinating, you're preparing as — way. what's fascinating, you're preparing as if— way. what's fascinating, you're preparing as if you _ way. what's fascinating, you're preparing as if you were - way. what's fascinating, you're preparing as if you were your i way. what's fascinating, you're i preparing as if you were your own obituary. you are going to get some pretty bruising obituaries. not so much because of what you've done, but you've been around when people perceive the military force has failed. do you have moments late at night or elsewhere where you look in the mirror and think, is the basis of what of what you believe in wrong? have a just not been able to do? i wrong? have a “ust not been able to do? ~ , ., ., ., wrong? have a “ust not been able to do? ~ i. ., ., wrong? have a “ust not been able to do? ~ ., ., ., do? i think you have to look back at what our principal— do? i think you have to look back at what our principal function - do? i think you have to look back at what our principal function is. - do? i think you have to look back at what our principal function is. we i what our principalfunction is. we have avoided war throughout my lifetime, and i think that is what we are here to do. and i often say to chiefs of staff, we need to think really hard about how we prepare to fight the war, because that will prevent from that happening. that is

our principal task. yes, when you get involved with the complexities of these very complicated campaigns like iraq and afghanistan and the other things we've seen, they are incredibly complicated, but the brutal reality is that i will look at myself in the mirror and believe i did the best i possibly could given the circumstances i lived through. i do hope when people think about this, they recognise that from the day i became the chief of defence staff, a week later, i was in front of prime minister may to make the case, and the fact that we achieved that of affect last year, it's something i shall look back on with pride. it's something i shall look back on with ride. , ., ,, ., with pride. general sir nick carter, thank ou with pride. general sir nick carter, thank you very _ with pride. general sir nick carter, thank you very much _ with pride. general sir nick carter, thank you very much for _ with pride. general sir nick carter, thank you very much forjoining - with pride. general sir nick carter, thank you very much forjoining in l thank you very much forjoining in on political thinking. there is no

doubt that politicians want a can—do attitude from those who run the armed forces. they come to believe they can offer something that mere mortals in the civil service or in private corporations can't actually offer. yet, general sir nick carter and others now find they're being criticised for not stressing enough what can't be done. that's it from this addition of political thinking. thank you for watching. if you've been watching the rain for much of the day, it will clear into tonight. there will be some showers, but looking like they're much brighter. rain lingering into the far southeast overnight and for the

northern isles, where we see the windiest weather and gust 60—70 mph. showers overnight and mostly in the west, and a touch of frost in scotland as temperatures fall. many of us will start the day dry with some sunshine and showers from the word go in the west. some of these heavy and will tend to migrate further east as we go on through the day. dodging a few downpours and longer spells of rain. average speeds, 35—45 mph. most of us live mid to low teens.

people protest against recent efforts by states to restrict access to abortion. after days of chewing at the pumps the army begins delivering fuel to petrol stations across the uk on monday. i appreciate how frustrating and infuriating it has been for people. the situation is stabilising but it is a problem that has been driven really by demand, not by supply.