...The term “asides” is the sum of negatives you outline against the war in Afghanistan. Wars are built on “asides” and are generally ignored by Governments in pursuit of the real aims. Australian support of America as an allied force, overarches all argument against withdrawal of our forces and is the “real aim” of the exercise.

...If popularity of the war is relevant towards its continuation, then an argument for the dismissal of our unpopular Government would exist, another unlikely occurrence.

...The question for Australia is whether or not to continue our bi-partisan alliance with America, or to begin the watering down process of detachment and begin withdrawal of support for the Americans in Afghanistan; a most unlikely event in the future, judging by the increased liaison announced recently with Americans in joint military ventures in the Asian Pacific zone.

...Interesting it is the curt reference to the ASX in the last paragraph of the article. Afghanistan has locked away around 100billion dollars of rare earth deposits, essentials for production of missiles and other high-end technology. China exercises a policy of monopolising rare earth deposits accumulated over many years, as a tool for manipulation and control of their use in global production. Just another reason for the West to hang around in Afghanistan a bit longer I would suggest