"The British press have released a series of photographs taken by a British soldier in Basra, showing British troops using methods of torture, violence, and intimidation that rival the Abu Ghraib scandal.

The pictures are shown in their entirety behind the link below.

( On to the pictures... )

So, the big question is what will the impact of these pictures be? My guess is that it will further weaken Blair's government in the British elections, tenatively scheduled for May, as disgruntled Labour voters defect to the Liberal Democrats to form a strong, legitimate third party.

It will also undoubtedly get a lot of coverage in the Arab press, which implies to me increased anti-British (and anti-occupation) sentiment, especially in the Shi'ite south. This shift in sentiments could greatly increase the risk of violence in what has been to this point one of the safer regions of Iraq. The risk could also be political -- arguably, this could further endanger the upcoming elections, as well as force Shi'ite leaders to be more public in their opposition to a continued occupation"
insomnia