Afghanistan Debate

MP attacks Greens for ' 'naive isolationism'

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:53:07 +1100

A Liberal frontbencher has launched a blistering attack against the Australian Greens, accusing them of supporting Jihadi barbarity against Afghan women and children.

Tonga sends troops to Afghanistan

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:54:17 +1100

The Pacific nation of Tonga has sent off its first troops to be deployed in Afghanistan, where they will serve alongside the British military.

At-a-glance: ADF in Afghanistan

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +1100

Just how many Australians are in Afghanistan, how long have they been there, and what are their roles?

Timeline: Aussie deaths in Afghanistan

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:24:00 +1100

The parliamentary debate on the future of Australian troops in Afghanistan comes amid a recent upsurge in troop deaths.

Timeline: The war in Afghanistan

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:11:13 +1100

When the World Trade Center was attacked by Islamic militants in September 2001, a chain was kicked off. The war in Afghanistan is still claiming lives today.

US soldier killed BBC reporter in Afghanistan

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:48:10 +1100

The NATO-led foreign military force in Afghanistan has admitted that a US soldier shot dead an Afghan journalist working for the BBC in July after mistaking him for a suicide bomber.

Torture claims in Afghan prisons

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:43:01 +1100

The NATO-led mission in Afghanistan has suspended the transfer of detainees to several prisons following allegations of torture, the BBC reports.

Victory for NATO impossible: Gorbachev

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:58:04 +1100

The man who withdrew Russian troops from Afghanistan after defeat has said victory for NATO is impossible for

Bring troops home from Afghanistan, Brown tells Senate

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:51:07 +1100

Greens Leader Bob Brown has told the Senate it is time to bring Australian troops home, as the government released news of four Australians suffering gunshot wounds in the country.

Dutch left us for dead: SAS soldier

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 07:42:59 +1100

A former SAS man claims Dutch troops in the Afghan province of Oruzgan refused to come to the aid of Australian soldiers when they were under heavy fire and taking casualties.

Admit we're talking to Taliban: Oakeshott

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:24:42 +1100

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has called on the PM to admit that NATO forces are in talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Over 1.3 million Afghan votes cancelled

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:00:00 +1100

Afghan election authorities cancelled 1.3 million votes in last month's parliamentary election, out of 5.6 million ballots cast, the country's senior electoral officer said.

Some troops to stay in Afghanistan after 2014

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:15:41 +1100

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she expects Australian troops will remain in Afghanistan for the next decade but the combat role will end within four years.

Greens 'must consider risks of withdrawal'

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:29:10 +1100

A leading academic has told SBS that training Afghan forces to take over security could take years - but parliamentarians pushing for a withdrawal must consider the real consequences.

Labor shoots down troop deployment bill

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:57:14 +1100

Labor will not support an Australian Greens bill that would require parliament to approve the deployment of Australian troops overseas.

Smith plays down 2020 Afghan 'deadline'

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 06:50:00 +1100

Defence Minister Stephen Smith has tried to hose down speculation that Australia could be tied up in the war in Afghanistan until 2020.

Veterans protest Afghan war

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:04:41 +1100

A small but vocal group of protesters, including a number of war veterans, have gathered in front of parliament house in Canberra before the first official debate begins.

We can't pull out from Afghanistan now: Smith

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:01:54 +1100

The defence minister has admitted it has taken too long for the international community to find the right strategy in Afghanistan, but says pulling out now would be a mistake.

Coalition confused on ADF charges: Smith

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:17:52 +1100

Defence Minister Stephen Smith says outbursts on the legal help offered to three sloldiers means the coalition doesn't understand its own legislation.

Army chief backs prosecutions

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:16:50 +1100

The head of the army has joined the PM in saying the director of military's prosecutions independence must be respected in the case of the three charged commandos.