Gordon Brown meeting troops in Camp Bastion

The speaker discusses their regular visits over the past four years to meet troops and assess progress. The focus is on a new phase of action in Afghanistan aimed at giving Afghans more control by training their army. This requires collaboration and the bravery of soldiers.

What does the speaker mean by 'giving the Afghans more control over their own affairs'?

What qualities does the speaker attribute to the soldiers involved in the operation?