Lessons and legacies of the war in Afganistan

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    Australia invoked the ANZUS Alliance following the Al Qaeda attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001. But unlike the calls to arms at the onset of the world wars, Australia decided to make only carefully calibrated force contributions in support of the US-led coalition campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Why is this so? Niche Wars examines Australias experience on military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq from 2001 to 2014. These operations saw over 40 Australian soldiers killed and hundreds wounded. But the toll since has been greater. For Afghanistan and Iraq the costs are hard to measure. Why were these forces deployed? What role did Australia play in shaping the strategy and determining the outcome? How effective were they? Why is so little known about Australias involvement in these campaigns? What lessons can be learned from this experience? Niche Wars commences with a scene-setting overview of Australias military involvement in the Middle East over more than a century. It then draws on unique insights from many angles, across a spectrum of men and women, ranging from key Australian decision makers, practitioners and observers. The book includes a wide range of perspectives in chapters written by federal government ministers, departmental secretaries, service commanders, task force commanders, sailors, soldiers, airmen and women, international aid workers, diplomats, police, journalists, coalition observers and academics. Niche Wars makes for compelling reading but also stands as a reference work on how and why Australia became entangled in these conflicts that had devastating consequences. If lessons can be learned from history about how Australia uses its military forces, this book is where to find them.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationNiche Wars Australia in Afganistan and Iraq, 2001-2014
    EditorsJohn BLaxland, Marcus Fielding and Thea Gellerfy
    Place of PublicationCanberra
    PublisherANU Press
    Pages271-284
    Volume1
    Edition1
    ISBN (Print)9781760464028
    Publication statusPublished - 2020

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