IT TOOK a retired chief of the Australian army, Peter Leahy, to say what the major political parties won’t admit about the war in Afghanistan. As Australian troops continue to kill people and be killed, Leahy told the ABC TV’s Lateline on 28 July, “We are not going to solve counterinsurgencies like this with only military means. Essentially, the solution is a political solution, and you don’t do politics without talking, and I think it’s essential they talk to everybody who’s involved.” When asked if this included the Taliban insurgents, Leahy replied, “Yes.” For good measure, he added that parliament should have the right to overturn a government decision to send Australian troops to war.

Both Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott stick to the line that the troops are there to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists. Gillard usually adds that their role is help train the Afghan army until it is able “to guarantee stability and security.” Apart from there being almost no…