Britain Gives US Strongest Pledge to Stay in War

Britain's new government publicly assured the U.S. on Tuesday that it remains committed to its central role in the war in Afghanistan.

Defense Minister Liam Fox pledged that the new coalition government in Britain won't change course in Afghanistan, in its strongest statement to date on the subject. Britain is the most important U.S. ally in the war and contributes more than 9,000 soldiers, the second-highest number of forces after the United States.

Fox did say that the first thing he considered when he took the job last month was whether the war was worthwhile. The new leadership is considered less invested in the war than the former Labour government.