Ian McPhedran
Ian McPhedran is the National Defence Writer for News Limited. He covered the diplomatic round in Canberra for several years and is the author of the best selling books ``The Amazing SAS’’ and ``Soldiers Without Borders’‘.
Articles by Ian McPhedran
The invisible but crucial element our Air Force needs
Most opponents of the troubled Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) pay scant regard to the unique element that only so-called “fifth…... Read more
The army must change if it values men like this
The nation breathed a collective sigh of relief yesterday when SAS hero and Victoria Cross winner Ben Roberts-Smith announced that…... Read more
Pleas for “de-escalation” are drowned out by missile fire
More than 80 Palestinians have been killed by laser guided “precision” Israeli missiles launched from F-16 jets while the unguided…... Read more
The security threat in an international culture clash
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wants people of conscience and goodwill to “stand together against violence, hate and…... Read more
No winners, no losers, in a conflict unlike any other
A major problem with the war in Afghanistan is the completely misleading and misguided notion of winners and losers in…... Read more
They come on one-way tickets, speak no Indonesian
As Labor and Coalition politicians wallow in a moral quagmire while failing to settle on the difficult issue of how…... Read more
Don’t ignore the insights gained in the heat of battle
It has been almost 600 days since 28-year-old Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney from Brisbane was killed in action in Afghanistan.…... Read more
Another rogue Afghan not proof of ‘sleeper’ insurgency
The latest shooting of three Australian and two Afghan soldiers by a disgruntled Afghan comrade will intensify calls for our…... Read more
Afghanistan: We honour the fallen by staying the course
As another Australian family endures the soul-destroying grief of the loss of a young son in Afghanistan - the fourth…... Read more
The loss of brave young men is becoming hard to justify
Jamie Larcombe is the fifth Australian Army combat engineer to be killed in action in Afghanistan. He is also the…... Read more
Afghanistan is one of many challenges for 2011
Afghanistan, an uncertain world, and regional instability will make 2011 a challenging year for the Australian Defence Force. The campaign…... Read more
Is the military using warships to smuggle drugs?
News that up to 21 navy sailors were allegedly running a drug ring from the Garden Island Navy base in…... Read more
Oz-Israel relations hit new low as Canberra expels spy
Australia-Israeli relations have not come under this much pressure since the bungling spook and lothario Amir Laty was thrown out…... Read more
It’s unlikely we’ll do much to punish Israel
After a torrent of undiplomatic language in the days after they discovered that Israel had used forged Australian passports in…... Read more
Behind the no-nonsense world of Israeli security
To the casual observer the Israeli embassy in Canberra looks like any other diplomatic mission in the leafy suburbs of…... Read more
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