The infrastructure and levels of deprivation in poorer countries have prevented them from benefiting from containment measures as much as richer nations.
Afghanistan sharpened Australia’s fighting capacity and capability. But we were still part of a spectacular failure of political and military leadership.
As President Joe Biden said on announcing the US troop withdrawal by September, ‘our reasons for remaining in Afghanistan have become increasingly unclear’.
The Afghanistan War now has an end date: 9/11/21. Experts explain the history of US involvement in Afghanistan, the peace process to end that conflict and how the country’s women are uniquely at risk.
Afghan women interviewed about current talks between the government and the Taliban say, ‘There is no going back.’ Taliban fundamentalist rule in the 1990s forced women into poverty and subservience.
Little was achieved in the first round of talks last year. As round two is set to begin, there are major obstacles to overcome to finally bring peace to Afghanistan.
Because the Taliban’s insurgency is so well financed, the Afghan government must spend enormous sums on war, too. A peace accord would free up funds for basic services, economic development and more.
When the honour of Australia’s revered soldiers is questioned, so, too, is the national self-image. But war is an ugly business, and we pay a price for tethering it so tightly to our identity.
Investigating senior officers, and where appropriate, taking action against them, is an important part of restoring the reputation of the Australian military abroad.
Scott Morrison has always put the military on an extremely high pedestal. When some of those on that pedestal are found to have done appalling things, the shock is doubly great.