Britain’s army is under pressure in Iraq and ramping up operations in Afghanistan this year, but if the situation on the ground does not improve fast Washington may soon find that its closest ally is stretched too tight. Word of the 100th British death in Iraq arrived on Tuesday just days after the announcement of an ambitious new mission to southern Afghanistan that will see Britain’s forces there increase from just 1,000 now to a peak of 5,700. “When you spend your holidays from Afghanistan in Iraq, that is where you stretch your army to breaking point,” said Tim Ripley, who writes for Jane’s Defense Weekly. Full Story