ANYONE ELSE STARTING TO DOUBT THE UR'S MAGICAL POWERS?

Gordon Brown ready to defy Barack Obama over Afghanistan troop surge (Sam Coates and Michael Evans, 12/15/08, Times of London)

Gordon Brown is considering rejecting an expected request from Barack Obama, the US President-elect, to send 2,000 more British troops to Afghanistan to join the surge of US forces confronting the Taleban.

Britain is expected to come under considerable pressure from Mr Obama when he becomes President in January to send another battle group of 1,500-2,000. Turning down such a request would open a rift between Britain and the US. British military chiefs have also been clamouring for reinforcements for the beleaguered troops in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.