155 / War in Afghanistan, the never-ending story

Will the war in Afghanistan ever end? Well, yes. Will it have achieved its objectives? Hell, no.

The Drum Unleashed, an ABC initiative, offers robust community debate. Tom Switzer has put some thought into the above premise. Our leaders - we don't know yet who will be PM or opposition leader - are one as morally bankrupt as the other, when it comes to that lousy Afghan war: "Our role in the war is vital work …" says one, "It's a very important struggle that can't be abandoned," says the other. Tell that to the Afghans.

Here's the thing: No foreign force will ever win a war in Afghanistan; they haven't in the past, they will not now or in the future. However, they will do a sterling job at making the Afghan people suffer and send their own young men and women to their deaths.

But the job, once begun, must be finished. Even if it kills us (and them.)

Btw, a sobering statistic:

Australian soldiers in Afghanistan: 1,500 … killed: 21 … percentage killed: 1.4%

American soldiers in Afghanistan: 90,000 … killed: 1,000 … percentage killed 1.1%

Pro rata more Australians get killed in the Afghan war than Americans.