There are two lessons only:

Never again become involved in foreign countries militarily.

Never believe the claims of the so-called elites and bleeding hearts that we owe anything to the citizens of those countries, or that we should bring them here instead of leaving them to sort out their problems in their own country.

Beg pardon. We have another lesson.

Never again trust America, the country that gets us into these futile wars. Never thought I would say that - but along came Biden and the huge lunge to the Left of the Democrats.

Biden has just said, "America in future won’t ‘remake’ other countries."

Sounds good in one way, but it also sounds as though the US will be reneging on its "Western leader" role, and will not be of much use to us. Our closer neighbours, Indonesia, Japan and India will have to be our mates in future.

ttbn. give it a rest, u really talk bs at times. The West, including Australia, will never do what you want.

Chris,

You do have knickers in a knot this morning, poor bubby. You really need to get out of your kindergarten bubble.

Yes, I am a bit fired up, I have to admit.

I have been writing my feeble efforts about China on here for a long time, long before the loony right got onto the issue.

So, because I try to find a moderate approach to the issue which expresses my passion for liberal democracy and recognises the reality and horror of the CCP, I do get annoyed with simple tirades about how useless Australia is.

There, that is my gripe.

The author is plain wrong. Autocratic powers sometimes support each other. Sometimes they don't. As I remember autocratic Nazi Germany and autocratic Soviet Russia in WW2 fought each other. Democratic Finland joined forces with autocratic Nazi Germany. Reality is complex.

ttbn, I have run out of response opportunities on my article thread.

But wrong, wrong, wrong. Do not care about getting critiqued by anyone.

I would not write if that was the case. I don't think any writer on OLO would write if they were easily offended given some of the ....head comments made that go beyond a difference of opinion.

What I do care about is largely useless contributions from yourself and the well read Dan who mostly express hate, hate and hate.

So you see, there is a clear difference to what I look for from critiques from different people.

I am sure both of you have some capacity left to offer some real feedback to issues or commentaries, but I rarely see it.

I am still waiting for you and bigmouth Dan to tell Australia what we need to do beyond your extreme hateful views of everything about Australia.

I expect I will be waiting a long time, but I live in hope that most of us have some capacity.

To the author, good piece. While I am one who looks to US leadership, it is true that it treats its own often more unfairly than most other liberal democracies probably due to the way its federal system evolved, in contrast to Australia.

Lessons? If we're not prepared to stay the course and fully commit, boots and all, for as long as it takes! And use all the shots in the locker including tactical nuclear weapons! Then just don't get involved!

As for Russia and China? They will support anything that is against the west! And London to a brick, the Taliban will exploit that to the max and use it like a nanny nipple or endless free lunch!
Alan B.

Re claim in the article that the invasion of Afghanistan by the US was in response to the attack on the World Trade Center by al Qaeda: That is an "official lie" that is still being peddled. However, the "official story" has many "holes" and numerous details that have come to light are consistent with it being a"False Flag" atrocity. With four main hidden agendas. Firstly, with demise of Soviet Union communism, a replacement perceived enemy was needed to keep up business for the military industrial complex. So alleged terrorist acts have been carried out to make 'war on terror" big business. Then supporters of what amounts to the Criminal Apartheid Zionist Settler State in Occupied Palestine wanted to have the US especially take action against Middle Eastern powers that may become a threat to it and weaken them. Also, seems the World Trade Center buildings were an effective liability and would need demolition in forseeable future. Probably very expensive if carried out properly as asbestos in them. So the biggest "Jewish Stocktake" in history was arranged. ie Insurance payout after they were destroyed "accidentally on purpose." Then regarding the plane that supposedly crashed into the Pentagon: "Seems hole was consistent withy it being hit by a missile and no plane wreckage. What an amazing "coincidence" that an investigation into some enormous financial deficits was just starting and the area destroyed "happened" to be where much of the incriminating evidence was stored.

I am the author of this article .I was hoping that the comments would answer some questions that have arrisen in my thoughts since writing the article

1. Would the invading force have been kicked out by the Taliban if it had been the United Nations? Not the United States. > I think no
2. Would the United Nations have agreed to invade anyway? The original reason for the US invasion was to eradicate Al Qaeda > Not sure, Think no . The UN general assembly would have vetoed an invasion.
3. Also whether the reason for the Original government’s quick collapse was that it did not have the support of the people, and its armed forces? >Yes
4. Did the taliban generally have support, I think yes

Narcissistic, bully Politian's do not like power structures outside of their own. We have a selfish media system & wining the population over to backing the UN as Peacekeepers would be worthwhile (I think) but time-consuming for politicians. 

On saying this what a waste Afghanistan was played the way it was. UN Peacekeepers might have been more effective, as done the way it was the US was just another occupying force. What do others think, is the UN the organisation that you would have sent, instead of the United States Forces?

I'm interested in the idea to research the reasons behind wars & how to stop them. I'm also interested in the idea that perhaps the more narcissistic individuals in our society's are the ones that push us towards war. These are the type of people that put themselves first in 10 out of 10 decisions. In my mind, if we as a society came to recognise bully narcissistic behaviour & not vote for these people, then our political decisions would be wiser & more balanced.