Mr Smith goes to Pakistan
Australia and Pakistan are holding talks about a possible four-fold increase in the number of Pakistani troops receiving training from Australian soldiers. This would be in Australia’s interests, as the US-led coalition in Afghanistan has long called for Pakistan to pursue militants in its northern tribal regions. The Australian public generally approves of a continued Australian presence in Afghanistan, as there is an image of Afghanistan as the “good war”. But we are now seven years into this war, and the initial reasons for invasion seem to have faded. Destroying the threat of terrorism remains the official reason for the war, however the “terrorists” themselves are believed to be in Pakistan. Kevin Rudd is in favor of staying in the field, but what is his motivation for doing so?