Afghanistan is a war zone.
War zones are a blood bath.

Our own heros are also casualties to its extended reach. Ben Roberts-Smith VC, is currently having his reputation assassinated, by the do-gooders intent on cleansing the brutal reputation of Afghanistanies.
That's the same Afghans that turn their weapons on coalition forces after an invitation to join with them, against the enemy they so often complain about in Pakistan.

Dan

Read Fred Smith`s book and you may learn a bit.

There's only one way to ensure this man wasn't callously murdered in vain and that is to ensure his work and irrigation projects are completed and upgraded! As gifted farming co-ops that belong to those Afghans, who complete them, expand, maintain and work on them!

A murderous and complicit Pakistan can go ---- itself!
Alan B.

A False dichotomy there, Diver Dan. Investigating an allegation of a war crime is not the equivalent of being a lover of brutal terrorists.
Soldiers have to obey the law, the same as any other citizens. This is not to say that it is always easy, in fact it is usually quite hard.
War is a bloody horrible, deadly business. I have nothing but admiration for folks who serve [I am now way too old],the heartbreak they get when mates die. But in the end, we have to fight to protect the world from thugs. This is not solved by being thugs ourselves, because that path may lead to us being as bad as our enemies. I don't know if the soldier is guilty or innocent of the charges. Under the law, it is "innocent until proven guilty".
There is a practical consideration. War crimes can affect morale and discipline in the unit. So there is no option really. They have to be investigated.
The "Larger Picture? We have too few fully-trained soldiers. Too few soldiers trying to do too much. They get tired. Tired people make mistakes. Many soldiers have had to do more than their fair share, too many tours on operations. That is the real problem, I think.

Rob H.

Terrorist by night, farmers by day...the Afghan way.

In the end, because of political ineptitude and meddling, the front line objective becomes confused.
Smith was special forces. These are not the grunts!
These highly trained personnel should not be asked to cross examine in their own minds, who they are to kill.
They must be free to eliminate a threat to their own safety in split second timing.
At times that goes wrong, but not often.

To have your own team rat on you, is demoralising, and the act falls directly into the enemies hands.
What is happening to Smith VC, should never see the light of day!

Dan

PS

And further to that. This witch hunt of our front line special forces, is coming to light through...you could guess couldn't you?....the ABC.

It's now ever more critical to shut this mob down . Sack the lot of them.
What treachery!

Dan