How Australia should have handled Iraq and Afghanistan

The following is a post about the course the Australian government should have held in their role in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2003.

The dilemma faced by then Australian Prime Minister John Howard was how to stick by the United States through thick and thin, to be a most treasured ally. Unfortunately, engaging in the Iraq War was not an intelligent way to do that.

The Iraq War was a complete disaster. Any gains made in the Afghan War were quickly undone by a war that failed so spectacularly a new terror organization has since emerged, and one more brutal than Al-Qaeda. ISIS was forged in the furnace of the Iraq War.

Australian commitment to Iraq greatly undermined Australia's standing internationally, as it did to Britain and the US. Another approach could have been taken other than destabilizing Iraq.

Instead of committing troops to the Iraq War, Australia should have committed thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan, to free up US military to go into Iraq.

By shouldering more burden in Afghanistan, Australia would have been able maintain its international reputation while also not leaving the US entirely isolated. Afghanistan was a cause worth fighting for - Iraq was not. However, if the US wanted to send more troops to Iraq, Australia could have supported the US by sending more Australian troops to Afghanistan, to ease the US burden as they fought in Iraq.

Such policy is worth considering for the Australian Government, next time a partner makes a foolish decision like President George Bush did in Iraq. Such a decision would show independence, integrity and solidarity, while not engaging in blunders as erroneous as the one Prime Minister John Howard led Australia into.