The recent announcement by the United States Government that it will reduce its armed force numbers in Iraq from 5200 to about 3000 in September, and in Afghanistan from 8400 to about 4300 in coming months, presents an opportunity for Australia to withdraw our much smaller contingents entirely from both countries.
It is difficult to see that they are either welcome or making a useful contribution to Australia’s national security. In January the Iraqi Parliament passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq, and this has led to more than usually difficult relations between Iraq and the …