Defending American prestige

John Howard, currently visiting an old pal in the US, has made a media appearance in which he called for a greater commitment of Australian troops in Afghanistan. In making his case, Howard could have drawn on a number of serious and reasonable arguments in favour of sending more Aussie troops. He didn't.

Mr Howard told Fox that: "There should be additional commitments from all of the countries, including my own, that have troops there at present."

"What we've got to ask ourselves is, what is the consequence of failure in Afghanistan? And that would be an enormous blow to American prestige, it would greatly embolden the terrorist cause," he added.

Okay, I realise he's visiting his old buddy, and I understand that FOX News is a slightly right-of-centre media outlet, but seriously. Ten years at the helm of a nation, portrayed as a strong, sensible, intelligent statesman, and all he can muster is "American prestige"?

Please, John, stay out of the media and just enjoy your retirement.