The Wire

The death of 22-year-old Australian Private Benjamin Ranaudo has raised the legitimacy of Australia’s participation in Afghanistan yet again. As coalition forces push into Taliban strongholds in an effort to achieve security for the upcoming Afghan elections, some question why Australian forces are there at all. The troop surge has resulted in the highest coalition casualties of any month since the war began. The UK Government is under public pressure to look after their soldier’s safety, and in the wake of the Jakarta bombings, Prime Minister Rudd has linked Private Renaudo’s death to the fight against global terrorism. But are Australian casualties being used to justify the war effort?