"DESPITE" HAS SELDOM SEEMED SO FEEBLE:

Paras strike deep into the Taliban heartland (Thomas Harding, 19/06/2006, Daily Telegraph)

British forces have scored dramatic successes against the Taliban during a lightning push deep into the lawless regions of southern Afghanistan, senior commanders revealed yesterday.

The scale and effect of the operation had not previously emerged but the British force in southern Afghanistan has advanced 75 miles into the insurgents' stronghold leaving dozens of Taliban dead.
British troops in Afghanistan
Members of 3 Bn the Parachute Regiment prepare a vehicle patrol in Goreskh, Helmand province

Despite suffering one dead and two seriously wounded last week, Operation Mountain Thrust has forced the insurgents out of villages and recovered areas not held by security forces for 30 years.