Author: By Nigel Morris, Deputy Political Editor

As polls show a slump in support for the war, Gordon Brown has twice in two months been forced to deliver major speeches justifying military action. But the impasse in Washington has left Mr Brown’s plans to send 500 more troops to Afghanistan in limbo ? creating disillusionment in the Ministry of Defence. One minister said: “We must move ahead to demonstrate to the public we have a grip on this.” A Whitehall source added: “There is great frustration that the process is dragging on. We announced a few weeks ago that we would send more people, but we can’t do that until the Americans make their minds up.”

Read more on US indecision annoys British Government…

Author: By Kim Sengupta, Defence Correspondent

The decision to deploy up to 1,000 more troops is likely to be made after a cabinet meeting on the conflict within the next seven days. Ministers had indicated that no more forces would be deployed while a shortfall remained in providing enough armoured vehicles for protection against roadside bombs, which have claimed 80 per cent of recent British lives lost.

Read more on Chastened Brown set to send more troops to Afghanistan…

Author: By Kim Sengupta and Andrew Grice

Gordon Brown rejected a request from commanders this year for an extra 2,000 to 2,500 soldiers and sent a temporary force of 700 to provide security for the Afghan elections.

Read more on Reinforcements for Afghanistan ‘within a month’…

Author: By Andy McSmith and Kim Sengupta

The Chief of the General Staff was due to give a television interview yesterday, where he was expected to renew his call for better support for frontline troops in the war against the Taliban, but pulled out at short notice because of the risk that his remarks could be misinterpreted. The row over helicopters carried on without him.

Read more on Dannatt takes vow of silence as army equipment row rages…

Author: By Andrew Grice, Political Editor

But questions are being asked at Westminster about whether Mr Ainsworth, a surprise promotion to become the political head of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) last month, is the right man for the job at a time when the conflict in Afghanistan has risen to the top of the political agenda.

Read more on Does minister for the armed forces have the firepower to defend them?…

Author: By Kim Sengupta, Defence Correspondent

However the final process is not due to start until after the next general election and the Conservatives said they would have their own agenda for the review if they won government.

Read more on Review will shape future of Britain’s armed forces…