Jason Thomas
Jason Thomas worked alongside US forces in Afghanistan in 2009-2010 and in 2011 with the USMC in Helmand and is preparing to return in early 2012. He has also worked in the Civil War area in Sri Lanka, negotiating with the Tamil Tigers and South Sudan. He is undertaking his PhD on home grown terrorism through Curtin University.
Articles by Jason Thomas
We’ve lost the battle for hearts and minds
The murder of 16 Afghan civilians by a lone US soldier in Afghanistan this week is a tragic incident, which…... Read more
In Afghanistan trust no one and question everything
In yet another attack by a ‘rogue’ Afghan soldier, four French troops were shot dead last week. Proponents of the…... Read more
Strength, not kindness, will win Afghan hearts & minds
Australian Soldiers are the strongest tribe in Uruzgan Province and it is this profile that wins hearts and minds in…... Read more
Terror: Coming to a leafy suburb near you
The death of Osama Bin Laden will make no difference to global terrorism inspired by Islamic fundamentalism, and it will…... Read more
Our politically correct war in Afghanistan
From working with U.S forces in Afghanistan, many Commanders observed how Afghanistan had become a politically correct war. Ralph Peters…... Read more
We’ve got the watches, they’ve got the time
A common saying in Afghanistan is “we’ve got the watches they’ve got the time.” A perfect metaphor to describe the…... Read more
Our leaders have no idea how to “win” in Afghanistan
The Australian public are being fed a one dimensional view of Afghanistan by both sides of politics that is misleading…... Read more
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Abbott’s crass logic: trash the Parliament in order save it
An email was sent to almost every politician in Australia this week saying that someone should cut off…
Our special forces don’t always need special treatment
We admire them, but we’re not entirely sure why. We allow them to operate in the shadows; we rarely…
A good holiday is about unrest, not rest
Like a fat full-stop, it lay in my hand. A small orange – not exactly fresh, but purchased anyway…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments
Michael S says:
"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone
Change Up! says:
I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments
A private school girl’s family is sueing her elite, extremely expensive private school for not… Read more
