Brits admit their mistakes?
Well Brits never get anything right, although every well known to ever historian that Afghanistan cannot be won. You can see how this so called Doctor "historian" who tries at best to make sense of their defeat. But we all know be it Persia, than Alexander, Ghangis Chan, they all happen to overthrow the military of local Kingdoms but again the question is CAN YOU HANDLE THE LAND OF THAT KINGDOM, Where everyone really is a warrior. Well We know this so did he, and the answer is "NO" never has been, specially by force and Arabs were well far smarter so they learned their lesson and 120 years later they knew not to interfere after local Afghans decided that they would follow Islamic laws but not Arab laws. However they can play with as many theories as they could, regarding why no-one really able to takeover Afghans, but conclusion should be made Afghan race is not easy to conquer, no matter how strong or how many number of troop you place. Persians lost heavily such famous kings and generals of them are too much to mention as soon as they started their invasion dating back to 550 BCE, and up to 420 BCE losing 7 kings in the war against Eastern tribal Foes whom Indians often called "Protectors of India", Greeks lost heavily and countless number of Army, and so Romans decided not to be stupid as Greeks, and further again Sussanians whom lost not just their military but also the kingdom and where Afghans long fought to take-over, and the Arabs, soon the Mongols, again Persians (Islamic Area) and than lastly Brits/Russia and now Americans trying to go back learning from all Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Mongolians, Russians and their forefather Brits.
Despite the fact Brits lost 3 times, and lost most number of Soldiers prior to WWI, they were able to do one thing, and that was taking away some parts of Afghanland and to make it a buffer. Giving a very small portion to Iran and rest to themselves to rule (economically speaking). Today that land is forcibly claimed by Pakistan and ever since 9/11 more than ever the started to claim it even more. The land which even their Ali Jinnah knew as "Khari-e-Ilaqas" meaning Forbidden land for Pakistan, where nation of Pakistan has no rights, and non of Pakistan laws are applied in that area.
Now under the international law for their "territorial rights" to place Border Patrol (2001) their Army (2003-2004) and now their so called Border Posts 2006-still under construction not confirmed yet). I think Pakistan will soon be able to have border with the help of Karzai as soon as them both slaves Mush and Khar succeed in further dividing people into choosing sides (Free Pakistan vs American Occupied Karzaistan).