DONALD TRUMP’S claim that Nato allies in Afghanistan “stayed a little back… a little off the front lines” is not merely inaccurate. It is morally careless — and in Wales it lands like an old wound being torn open.

Afghanistan was not an abstract foreign policy debate for this country. It was a roll call of funerals, amputations, trauma and lives reshaped in an instant. The conflict claimed 457 British service personnel, and Welsh regiments were repeatedly deployed into some of the most dangerous ground in Helmand Province, where roadside bombs, ambushes and close-quarter fighting were part of daily routine.

When a leader speaks loosely about who did — and didn’t — stand on the line, they are not scoring points in a spending argument. They are talking about the dead. And in Wales, names are not statistics.

Lance Corporal Christopher Harkett, of 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, was killed by an explosion on patrol near Musa Qala in March 2009. Private Richard Hunt, also of 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, died from wounds suffered in an explosion while on a vehicle patrol near Musa Qala in August 2009. Their families did not lose sons in a “rear area”.

That is why the political reaction in the UK has been so blunt. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the remarks as “insulting and frankly appalling” and said an apology would be the minimum standard if he had spoken that way. Across party lines, the criticism has been clear: this was a distortion that dishonours service.

Prince Harry’s response carried weight precisely because it avoided the usual political noise. He didn’t name Trump. He didn’t turn it into a culture war. He simply stated what soldiers and families know: allies answered America’s call after 9/11, friends were made, friends were lost, and those sacrifices “deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect”.

The facts are not complicated. Nato’s collective defence clause — Article 5 — was invoked after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Allies joined the mission, fought, and died. The idea that they mostly hovered at the margins collapses under even the most basic measure of coalition sacrifice: casualties, deployments, combat operations and the testimony of those who served alongside each other.

Yes, the United States spends more on defence than any other Nato member. Burden-sharing is a legitimate argument. But spending figures do not give anyone permission to rewrite the history of a war. You can press allies to invest more without pretending they did not fight. And you can debate budgets without casually wounding people who have already paid the highest price.

The damage here goes beyond offence. It is strategic. Alliances are held together by trust — by the belief that when one nation bleeds beside another, that sacrifice will be remembered honestly. When a US president suggests allies would not show up, or implies they did not show up properly last time, he weakens that trust and offers an easy gift to any rival watching for division.

An apology would not be weakness. It would be leadership. It would sound like this: I was wrong. Allied troops fought and died alongside Americans. I honour their service and the families who carry the grief. We can argue about spending without questioning courage.

Because the fallen do not get to reply. Their families in Welsh communities do. Their comrades do. And when the truth is treated as optional, so is the respect that keeps a military covenant intact.

TENBY residents gathered in solemn reflection at the town’s cenotaph this on Sunday (Nov 8) to mark Armistice Day and honour all those who gave their lives in service to their country.

Rain fails to dampen spirits

Despite the drizzle, a large crowd assembled at the war memorial on South Parade as the clock struck 11:00am. The Last Post was sounded, followed by two minutes’ silence observed across the town.

Civic leaders and young representatives

The Mayor of Tenby, town councillors, veterans, members of the Royal British Legion and representatives from youth groups, cadets, emergency services and local schools took part in the wreath-laying ceremony. Among them was a young boy who stepped forward to lay a poppy wreath—symbolising the next generation’s gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

A service of unity and respect

As the names engraved on the cenotaph were read aloud, the assembled crowd stood shoulder to shoulder, remembering those from Tenby and beyond who never returned home. Local clergy led prayers, and the service was accompanied by music from the Salvation Army Band.

Following the ceremony, the parade marched through the town walls led by the Royal British Legion standard bearers, with applause from residents lining the streets.

The annual service once again showed Tenby’s deep respect for its history, its veterans and the continuing legacy of remembrance.

Lest we forget.

Photos by Gareth Davies/Herald

This column is “THE ALTERNATIVE VIEW” by Mike Dello

THERE have been some terrific comedy double acts over the years – Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Morecambe and Wise. Well, take a bow, at considerable expense, the government’s own pair: Mahmood and Lammy – the Home Secretary and Justice Secretary.

It would all be rather funny if this hapless duo hadn’t compromised the safety of the British public. The system somehow managed to accidentally release migrant sex offender Hadush Kepatu – yes, by mistake. From all accounts, this individual even tried to get back into prison, but was sent away, wandering the streets for forty-eight hours before being re-arrested.

He was then promptly deported to Ethiopia – with £500 of taxpayers’ money in his pocket. And, given we’re still bound by the European Convention on Human Rights, one suspects he may soon turn up again on a small boat, free of all checks.

Meanwhile, 49-year-old Wayne Broadhunt was murdered while walking his dog this week – reportedly by a migrant – as this scandal reaches epidemic proportions.

Starmer’s house of cards

Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership continues to unravel. Lucy Powell has defeated Bridget Phillipson in a members’ vote for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party – despite being sacked from the Cabinet by the Prime Minister only a few short weeks ago.

As BBC Political Editor Chris Mason dryly observed: “It’s a result the Prime Minister did not want.”

Then there’s Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, now under fire over alleged rule breaches involving her personal rental affairs. Starmer is standing by her, of course – though one might think the person managing the nation’s finances should at least keep her own in order.

Conflict abroad and chaos at home

The paper-thin ceasefire in Gaza has been shattered once again, with Israel launching air strikes that killed more than a hundred civilians after the killing of an Israeli soldier by Hamas.

And across the Atlantic, Hurricane Melissa has devastated Jamaica, with winds of up to 185mph leaving a trail of destruction. In an ironic twist, some climate campaigners are finally conceding that such disasters are not becoming more frequent – as they long claimed – but more severe.

Meanwhile, Net Zero by 2030 looks increasingly like a fantasy. Wind farms aren’t delivering what was promised, and these expensive steel giants are driving energy bills through the roof. One wonders if Sir Ed Miliband, the government’s “climate chappy,” has received his knighthood yet.

True heroes among us

The word “hero” is often used loosely – but seldom has it been more deserved than in the horrific events of Saturday night, when 32-year-old Anthony Williams went on a stabbing spree aboard a passenger train between Doncaster and London.

Eleven people, including the driver, were injured – some seriously. Driver Andrew Johnston showed exceptional skill and courage in diverting the train into a platform at Huntingdon, enabling police to apprehend Williams within minutes.

Among the passengers was Nottingham Forest fan Stephen Crean, who quite literally put his body on the line to protect others, suffering grave injuries in the process. He and others on that train are the true heroes of our times – far more deserving of honours than certain MPs, lords or celebrity “captains of industry.”

Thankfully, such incidents remain rare – a small comfort when more than five million people travel safely on Britain’s railways every day.

A final word

It is worth remembering that during the 1982 Falklands conflict, Prince Andrew – as he then was – served as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot on numerous dangerous missions, including anti-surface operations and casualty evacuations. He was rightly honoured for that service.

Today, his reputation lies in ruins due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein. While King Charles was right to strip him of certain titles and privileges, his wartime honours should stand. If not, the word “hero” loses all meaning.

And finally, the BBC once again finds itself accused of manipulating footage – this time allegedly inserting false words into Donald Trump’s mouth during a Panorama documentary to suggest he incited the 2020 Capitol riot.

If true, it’s yet another reason why the broadcaster should be defunded and made to stand on its own feet, rather than forcing taxpayers to bankroll what many now see as a partisan, outdated institution.