DAVID Pratt’s perspective on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan is of course accurate but also steeped in his own professional lived experience as a war correspondent who understands more than most the tragedies that will unfold with the withdrawal.

However, as a lifelong political activist of the Scottish independence left, I have always assumed that "we” went into Afghanistan for the wrong reasons in the wrong way. Had it been an in-and-out affair to get Al Qaeda I would probably have found it objectionable for other longer-term reasons but at least it would have had a modicum of strategic coherence to obtain the object of the operation as per on the tin.

The hunt would have been as bloody for the Americans as Al Qaeda and although their forces would have certainly followed through, the casualty rate for the operation initially sold to the public here and in America was politically unacceptable. Tragically the final toll for the USA military deaths is now over 4000, greater than the number of forces that would have been deployed at the sharp end if the Bush administration were at all serious about its stated, initial aim.

Personally, I admit, there was a sentimental aspect that intruded too. For literally years I carried a cutting from the Herald of a wee wean about the then age of my niece, struggling behind a poor Afghan famer struggling with a two-litre plastic milk container filled, I assume, with water from a well. I shuddered at what life would be like for her, if indeed she would have one. My niece on the other hand is now a happy 24-year-old mother.

If I were a “hawk” I could easily turn my personal sentiments into an argument for continued and indeed future expeditionary wars. However I will stick to, if I am permitted, to the geopolitical actualité. That is not so much what happened, readers of the National know that, rather why it happened.

Moreover, it will not be my views, though I share them, rather those of the late Professor John Erikson expounded at a seminar on the geopolitical implications of the then soon to be invasion of Afghanistan by sundry partners. The seminar was organised by the late William Wolfe sometime leader of the SNP in the Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling.

Professor Erikson, one of the premier military commentators of the Cold War period, was sure that the Bush administration would see the establishment of a real semi -permanent military footprint in the middle east as a geopolitical temptation that could not be resisted.

I had the honour of lunching with him afterwards and it would not be appropriate to share what he said in any detail here, but it is safe to say that he did predict it would not end well and in that regard his prediction has been accurate and deadly for untold thousands and the incubus of the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 21st century…so far.

Bill Ramsay
via email

THE death of Prince Philip has turned the thoughts of many to whether Scotland should be a monarchy or a republic.

Many nations feel more comfortable with a monarch than a president. They believe that it is better to have a Head of State who is above politics and a monarch can unite a nation more than a president can. Indeed, following independence when the entire nation must come together as one, that is something a monarch can achieve more than a politician.

Scotland is the oldest monarchy in Europe and why should we change that? Denmark has often claimed that it is the oldest, but Scotland was on its sixth monarch when King Gorm the Old became the first king of a united Denmark, and Denmark is the third oldest after Scotland and Norway.

The Scots never believed in the Divine Right of Kings and our monarchy was very egalitarian, with the monarch regarded as the first among equals on a par with his people. If the monarch failed to do his duties the people had the right to remove him and install another member of the Ryal Fowk in his place, and this is enshrined in the Declaration of Arbroath. The monarch was accessible to his or her people who could talk to him or her on a one-to-one basis. Of course, there is always one who takes things too far. The rude and insulting way that John Knox spoke to Queen Mary I was uncalled for, but it does show how monarch and people interacted, Had Knox tried speaking to Elizabeth Tudor like that he would have lost his head.

I have nothing against the Windsors but have always thought that they tend to be aloof and out of touch, unlike their counterparts in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway etc, who are more like the Scots monarchs of old. Besides which, the Windsors, despite their undeniable love of Scotland, are perceived as English.

I would like to see the Stuarts, the proper Royal family, restored. The present Jacobite claimant to the Throne is Prince Franz, Duke of Bavaria. He is unmarried and his successor is his brother Max, whose eldest daughter Sophie is married to the Crown Prince of Liechtenstein and there are many Princes and Princesses to choose from.

Regarding the Stuarts, I have never forgiven James VI for emigrating to England when he should have ruled from Edinburgh. However, as a friend said, he believed in the un-Scots Divine Right of Kings and probably thought he would better in England where they did believed it, and where people would bow and curtsy to him unlike in Scotland.

As a European monarchy Scotland could have the slimmed down royal family that exist elsewhere. This would be the King/Queen, Queen Consort/King Consort, and the Crown Prince/Princess and his/her spouse. It works elsewhere and there is no reason why it cannot work in Scotland.

Louise Bradley
via email

I AM currently sans TV owing to a protracted falling out betwixt myself and the gatherers of the TV tax, whose peevish communications, I must say, have become downright hostile of late.

This unfortunate circumstance meant I was unable to view TV coverage of the passing of Philip Battenburg.

Therefore, I welcomed the chance to catch up by reading George Kerevan’s column (why the Monarchy should have no place in Scotland post independence, April 12)

This piece did not disappoint , being balanced, perspicacious and objective.

However, I disagreed with George’s assertion the SNP has traditionally maintained that independence will make us all instantly rich. I cast my first vote some 55 years ago, it was for the SNP and I cannot recall the party making that claim, nor have I ever held that view.

On the Royal question, George implied that the SNP is a Royalist party, a stance with which he strongly disagrees.

However, back in the day, I recall Alex Salmond, the leader of George’s party, being very chummy and deferential regarding the Queen.

However, to return to Philip Battenberg’s passing, no one has yet mentioned that he will leave a legacy, thanks to the bakery side of the family.

I refer to the invention , generations ago, of that marzipan trimmed delicacy the eponymous Battenberg cake – MMMM!

Malcolm Cordell
Dundee

I HAD been hoping to pre-empt George Kerevan’s article “ why the Monarchy should have no place in Scotland post independence” (National 12th April) by offering a caveat.

This was to have been on the “softly softly catchy monkey” basis and by holding back on knocking down the Aunt Sallys which are viewed in suspicion or even contempt by Scottish instinct.

Too late.... George has knocked over one of the Aunt Sallys (the Monarchy) not with a fairground wooden ball but with a ruddy great ballistic missile, much to my amusement.

No-one can accuse him of not being spot on, accurate and honest but can we wait until we are independent before we launch into many other Aunt Sallys and try not to offend too many indy prospective voters.

Doug Drever
Dundee

I DON’T concur with all of George Kerevan’s opinions regarding Scottish independence and the best way to achieve it but I must say that his recent article in Monday’s National re the role of the monarchy was an excellent presentation that covered this damning anachronism where Scotland is riddled with feudal hangovers (as George eloquently describes it) that never disappear from Scottish society.

The current media adulation, day after day, just confirms to me that we need to radically change this whole concept of reverence and adulation that almost attains a deity level that is totally unacceptable in 21st century Scotland. I agree we must change it for the better good in an independent Scotland and move on to a more forward-thinking, modern form of governance in our country that doesn’t require this remnant of the past.

Bernie Japs
Edinburgh

MONARCHY seems like an illogical and indefensible way to find a head of state and yet all the most stable and democratic nations are monarchies, unlike the ramshackle and corrupt republics of, say, South America or Africa.

The list is extensive but the nations which an independent Scotland seeks to emulate, such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Canada, Netherlands, and Australia seem to have no problem combining the monarchy with a stable and egalitarian way of life and respect for the rule of law.

The problem is therefore obviously not the monarchy, it is the politicians, and would anyone really want Boris Johnson as head of state in a republic?

James Duncan
Edinburgh

THERE is no doubt that HRH Prince Philip will be remembered with affection by the people, as a most colourful and personable, intelligent and enquiring royal.

I recall my mother’s words on the year 1947 when, following the misery of war, the colour and splendour of a royal wedding lit up a weary Britain. In feeling sorry for this poor but handsome prince she remarked “he can now put his feet up since marrying our princess”!

My mother was a child of her time and a royalist, while I became a republican!!

However what a wonderful long and eventful life this prince had.

A man of action and adventure and although adhering to the royal tradition of post imperial Britain, did in fact shake up a somewhat dead establishment with his candid, “pawky” humour and winning smile.

His long and steadfast devotion and support of his wife, the queen, will never be forgotten; yet his real and lasting legacy must be the enduring Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which greatly benefits the youth of this country and around the world.

Grant Frazer
Newtonmore

BLACKOUT Friday was the most compelling reason for Scotland to have its own broadcasting powers. Shutting down all BBC channels and relaying only the BBC news was an extremely dangerous precedent. It has graphically shown the explicit state control of all BBC and radio channels.

It is reminiscent of foreign authoritarian regimes in control of their media in times of threats to their one party state. This was a display of raw muscle power signalling a warning to satellite nations that orbit England, we are superior.

Mike Herd
Highland