The Purpose of War

Forty Australian soldiers have so far been killed in action during Australia's military operations in Afghanistan. This is not a very big number, compared to the tens of thousands who died in the great wars of the last century. But it is surely big enough to impose an obligation to think about the cost represented by that number - not just forty lives, but forty circles of live-shattering bereavement - and to ask for what purpose that cost will be borne by those on whom it falls, and whether it has been justified.