BY EARLY 2015, most British and American troops will be out of Afghanistan, and few Allied or UN military will remain. Then what will happen?

Many of the Taliban and Al Qaeda will be safely encamped in Pakistan, waiting to return and impose their will. The new Afghan army has been well trained and well equipped and well paid by the West, and is probably the least corrupt part of that corrupt nation.

They could and might fend off the Taliban so long as funding continues. The Afghan police appear to be as corrupt as the Afghan Government and will support whoever offers the biggest cheque. Afghan farmers will not switch from growing poppies for the world drug trade to oats, barley, maize, wheat or potatoes.

The Afghan people do not see themselves as belonging to one country. They belong to certain tribes, sects, religions, areas, territories and cultures.

The Allies have done a great job getting something like 29,000 girls into education in Helmand Province, and this needs to be continued.

Eventually Afghans will realise that blowing up a bus full of schoolgirls does not benefit anyone. The Taliban are fully aware of this and concentrate attacks on schools, school teachers, the homes of teachers and relatives of teachers and university staff.

David Quarrie Lynden Way, Holgate, York.