A decade of disappointment in Afghanistan

Ten years after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, a new book launched today at ANU gives key insight into Australia's part in the war and the impact of the decade-long conflict. Launched by Mr Dennis Richardson AO, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Afghanistan Conflict and Australia's Role unpacks the complexities of the Afghan conflict. The book's editor, Professor Amin Saikal from the ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, said it is unlikely the US and its allies will leave behind a stable, secure and peaceful Afghanistan when they withdraw. "This is something the US-led coalition originally promised, but they will have enormous difficulty in achieving it by 2014 when they are scheduled to end their combat operations," he said. "For its part, Australia has made some useful contributions to improving Afghanistan's infrastructure and security as well as educational and health services - particularly in the province of Uruzgan where Australian forces have been largely based. "However, this has been at a very high human and financial cost, and is reversible in the wake of Australia's withdrawal from the province. It should also be noted that Uruzgan is not Afghanistan.