WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President George W. Bush got an earful on Thursday about problems and progress in Afghanistan where a war has dragged on for more than six years but been largely eclipsed by Iraq…”I must say, I’m a little envious,” Bush said. “If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed.”

“It must be exciting for you … in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You’re really making history, and thanks,” Bush said.

In other news:

• A sharp increase in militant attacks in the last year
• The cost of the Afghan conflict would rise 122% to £1.649bn this year
• The Taleban now claim to have influence across most of the country and have extended their area of control from their traditional heartland in the south
• Tensions rise within NATO over deployments this year
• Women have a position under the country’s constitution, but still work in an atmosphere of fear

Forget all that, though – it’s exciting and romantic for American policy wonks, a backdrop for the Beltway equivalent of a Mills & Boon novel. Thanks for making history, y’all!