If my government was like the taliban, then no i would not.

I think I would, I'm not a pacifist.A lot people did when we were invaded at the beginning of WWII. We were fucked either way though, Germany, England and Russia were all eager to conquer us so someone would have done the deed at any rate.

What I don't understand, is how people can be so ignorant that they don't understand that this is exactly what is happening in Afghanistan and Iraq. Doesn't matter whether you're a farmer or a Baath party member, they are fighting off an invading force. Who is deemed a rebel and who is deemed a freedom fighter? The invading party decides, sadly.

1) Hypocrisy... it used so often, must be useful, I should try it out someday. Would you kindly ask Afghani or Iraqi people what's better for them? The answer might surprise you.

2) As if it never happened before? Actually it was and couple of times invasion was successful. Though you're right usually Britain ain't invaded, but instead invades other countries. Why do you ignore your own history? =)

//On related note, I'm surprised by a couple of 'fifth columners' here.

1) I highly doubt that they would choose Hussein and the Taliban over Karzai and Talabani.

2) The last attempt at invading Britain was by Nazi Germany in the Second World War. I don 't really think Hitler's regime was more liberal or democratic than the wartime coalition.

The last successful attempt, if I'm not mistaken, was by William the Conqueror in 1066, and arguably, he was the rightful ruler of the country anyway. Besides, it went from absolute monarchy to slightly worse and more French absolute monarchy, so there was no change.

Britain has invaded plenty of countries, and I don't deny it, nor do I disagree with any of the invasions. I'm on the fence about Iraq, but Nazi France? Germany? Fascist Italy? Afghanistan? Come on.

Realistically, when you think about it the only threat to the West is the East, and in a few decades it is predicted that China and India will be the top two dogs - China will be twice as rich as the US with a superior military complex. Russia can team up with them.

Therefore if a still communist China invaded a democratic western country that I happen to live in then the only option open to me is to fight, as I can not see myself swinging on my hammock, smoking a joint with and sipping a cocktail if this happened.

So you've just did them a favour by invading them? If my memory serves me right same kind of rhetoric was common in propaganda of Nazi Germany. Goebbels was truly a master of words =)

I'm not surprised that propaganda worked on you, but I doubt it will affect Iraq. I'm sure that even those Iraqi people who had certain illusions in the beginning , see the difference between Hussein and present sitatuion by now. Civil deaths due to terrorism (non-existent in Iraq before) and military operations already have exceed whatever Saddam was accused of. He might be a bastard but easily manipulated and cooperative bastard, confrontation was escalated  by the West (though European democracies this time weren't usual political wussies they used to be). The situation will only get worse for them with withdrawal of occupation forces (let's see how long current Iraqi administration will survive without NATO military presence).

Speaking about Afghanistan, nothing has changed. The most relevant issue for both Afghani people and rest of the world, drugs, still unresolved. Drug production rised significantly since 90s. I'd presume Karzai is involved into business.

Well, you get the picture.

Isn't this what the Swiss government does?  Every male gets issued a firearm and has training with it.  I don't know if it's mandatory service in the Military though.  Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Says the Russian...

Yep, I'm Russian. Got a problem with that? =)

I don't like to generalise, but Russia (the USSR) caused this whole Afghan mess in the first place.