Much of the comment on Barack Obama’s big foreign policy speech has focussed on his clash with McCain about withdrawal from Iraq. The arguments here are well-rehearsed. Basically, I’m in sympathy with Obama’s argument that it was a breathtaking mistake to throw more resources at Iraq than Afghanistan – and I think his desire to switch focus is right.

But listening to the Obama speech I had several immediate questions about what he had to say about Afghanistan and – in particular – Pakistan. Read more