http://www.thepunch.com.au/tags/war/ Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. en Copyright 2013 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/ive-seen-secret-files-and-this-jet-will-blow-up-in-our-faces/ One F-35 Joint Strike Fighter war plane - or a year’s salary for 2061 nurses. Eighteen JSFs - or Fiona Stanley Hospital, Australia’s largest tertiary teaching hospital, fully funded. If we go the full hog and purchase the full fleet of 100 JSF aircraft as the Defence Minister would like, we could have every single Gonski education reform fully paid for with spare change for two more Fiona Stanley Hospitals. Health, education, welfare and infrastructure spending of the Government all face scrutiny of cost, likely success and whether our nation is getting the best bang for our buck. For the Joint Strike Fighter this cost benefit analysis has been thrown out the window. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/ive-seen-secret-files-and-this-jet-will-blow-up-in-our-faces/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/ive-seen-secret-files-and-this-jet-will-blow-up-in-our-faces/#item10688 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/mali-could-become-the-new-afghanistan-only-worse/ France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/mali-could-become-the-new-afghanistan-only-worse/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/mali-could-become-the-new-afghanistan-only-worse/#item10446 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-government-is-disarming-australia-by-stealth/ “He who seeks peace should prepare for war” wrote Roman scholar Vegetius during the latter part of the Roman Empire. Though most would argue the phrase alone is somewhat simplistic, it is nevertheless true that the number one priority of any democratically elected government is the protection and wellbeing of its citizens.  This simple concept has been evident among communities across the globe throughout history, recorded in the most ancient of documents. However, in the current global community, where the boundaries of nation states seem to blur as communication systems and faster modes of travel allow us to access the world at a whim, there seems to be a growing temptation for our leaders to lose focus on the practical on-ground defence of our nation and those who serve abroad in our name. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-government-is-disarming-australia-by-stealth/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-government-is-disarming-australia-by-stealth/#item10426 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/everyone-is-entrenched-in-these-war-games/ War is no longer played out in the mud, with feet rotting inside damp boots and trenches collapsing. It’s no longer hit or miss, a deadly sort of chaos. It’s surgically precise, now. Bombs dispatched by computer. Targets ‘pinpointed’ by hovering drones. It’s clean. That’s what Israel’s army would have you believe, anyway. War has changed, is changing, quickly. Technology is shifting how the game is played – and making it more like a game at the same time. It’s about hardware, not the softness of fallible humans. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/everyone-is-entrenched-in-these-war-games/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/everyone-is-entrenched-in-these-war-games/#item10024 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/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 Chinese made “dumb” rockets flung into Israel by Hamas have claimed three lives since renewed hostilities broke out last week. About 700 others, mainly Palestinian civilians, have been injured. As politicians around the world, including US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Julia Gillard, urged restraint as they defended Israel’s right to respond to unrelenting Hamas rocket attacks, Israeli ground troops and heavy armour were formed up along the border with Gaza. Air strikes and rocket attacks (and an 80 to 3 fatality rate) are one thing, but a ground invasion by a vastly superior force backed by tanks and artillery, would be much, much worse and far more risky for Israel. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/pleas-for-de-escalation-are-drowned-out-by-missile-fire/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/pleas-for-de-escalation-are-drowned-out-by-missile-fire/#item10025 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/boastful-tweets-make-israel-look-trigger-happy/ YouTube has issued a warning on the video posted by Israeli Defence Force following their strike on the Gaza Strip last night that killed the leader of Hamas, Ahmed Jabari:  “The following content has been identified by the YouTube community as being potentially offensive or inappropriate. Viewer discretion is advised.”  The link was posted as part of a tweet from the Israeli Defence Force spokesperson account a few hours ago, accompanied by this message: In case you missed it - VIDEO - IDF Pinpoint Strike on Ahmed Jabari, Head of #Hamas feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/boastful-tweets-make-israel-look-trigger-happy/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/boastful-tweets-make-israel-look-trigger-happy/#item9992 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/kokoda-meeting-our-founding-fathers/ In recent days commemorations have occurred for the 70th Anniversary of the Kokoda and Beachhead Battles. The key date of November 2 marks the 70th anniversary of the retaking of Kokoda village. I had the great honour to meet a group of eight veterans of those campaigns who returned to Papua New Guinea for the commemorations. In their late eighties and early nineties, these men sparkled with health. They had a demanding itinerary which took them in light aircraft to Kokoda village, Popondetta and back to Port Moresby. They told their stories with a clarity that defied the spans of time. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/kokoda-meeting-our-founding-fathers/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/kokoda-meeting-our-founding-fathers/#item9976 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/lest-we-forget-there-are-others-to-remember/ There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember.- Ophelia November is here again. In temperate climates like Canberra’s it is definitely late spring, with roses bursting their buds and bright green canopies of oak and plane to shade the streets. From Sydney north through the subtropics it’s getting hot and humid. And there is another thing happening now. Today is Remembrance Day, commemorated as always on the 11th of November. The tradition of a minute’s silence for remembrance and reflection dates from 1919 and was fathered at least in part by the Australian journalist and soldier Edward Honey. He meant it to be, in his own words, “...communion with the glorious dead who won us peace, and from the communion new strength, hope and faith in the morrow…” feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/lest-we-forget-there-are-others-to-remember/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/lest-we-forget-there-are-others-to-remember/#item9955 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/explosions-will-still-rock-afghanistan-after-we-leave/ The spate of so called ‘green-on-blue’ attacks, where members of the Afghan National Security Forces kill Coalition soldiers, has been one of the most destabilising threats to our resolve and commitment to the war in Afghanistan. A total of fifty-nine Coalition soldiers, including seven Australians, have died at the hands of rogue Afghan forces. However, Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs continue to be the most deadly risk in Afghanistan. The sad fact is that long after Coalition forces have departed, IEDs will remain a serious risk to life and freedom of movement across Afghanistan for civilians. They’re an evil legacy from an unconventional war against a complex enemy. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/explosions-will-still-rock-afghanistan-after-we-leave/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/explosions-will-still-rock-afghanistan-after-we-leave/#item9900 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/can-we-handle-the-unpixelated-truth/ Every morning I start my working day scanning the Getty Images, AP and AFP wires, searching hundreds of images from around the world for striking visual stories to share with Australia. Every morning I am reduced to tears by the latest photos from Syria’s bloody civil war. Most days, these show blood, guts and severely traumatised children amid the most appalling scenes of death and destruction. No one wants corpses with their Corn Flakes, so we do not publish these images. As a rule, Australian newspapers do not publish photographs of dead bodies. feedback@thepunch.com.au (The Punch Team) Article, Behind the picture http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/can-we-handle-the-unpixelated-truth/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/can-we-handle-the-unpixelated-truth/#item9812 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 France’s military intervention into its former North African colony of Mali, dubbed Operation Serval, could become another Afghanistan if France and other European Union members are lured into a long campaign of counterinsurgency based on nation building, instead of one that remains focused on airstrikes and ground operations by Special Forces trained in unconventional warfare. As the Dutch Foreign Minister said, “…there is not one European country that can hide if this threat would present itself to the European continent.” Unless Western, social egalitarian countries like France are prepared to implement the kind of counterinsurgency tactics carried out by the infamous Selous Scouts in former Rhodesia, then these ferociously well-armed, highly mobile faith driven Jihadists will blend back into the harsh north African terrain only to terrorise the next weak State.