From hero to murderer with a cross to bear
Australia’s most decorated living soldier now faces the prospect of serious criminal charges, with AFP investigators currently assessing the evidence.
Afghanistan
Knockout legal blow still to come for Kerry Stokes
Seven West Media boss Kerry Stokes is facing a potential legal bill of tens of millions of dollars in the wake of Ben Roberts-Smith’s failed defamation case.
Roberts-Smith ‘machine-gunned’ Afghan prisoner
Ben Roberts-Smith murdered an Afghan prisoner by shooting him in the back with a machine gun and ordered another trooper to shoot a second Afghan in the head, a judge has ruled.
‘Murder’: BRS loses landmark defamation case
Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith committed serious war crimes, including murder, while serving with the SAS in Afghanistan, a judge has found.
Blood brothers torn apart amid $25m lawsuit
Ben Roberts-Smith once asked his great mate to be the best man at his wedding, now he is defending allegations from his former friend that he is a murderer.
US alarm over SAS ‘tainted’ by crimes
The US military warned allegations of war crimes from Afghanistan could affect its co-operation with Australia’s SAS and Special Operations Command.
ADF chief rejects ‘conflict’ over medal review
Angus Campbell has admitted to a perceived conflict in decision to review honours and awards for ADF Afghanistan commanders.
Lambie’s wild threat in ADF medals fight
Senator Jacqui Lambie has demanded information from the Defence chief about efforts to strip awards from some ADF commanders.
Deployed Australian troops limited to two beers on Anzac Day
Deployed personnel will need to complete a risk assessment 21 days prior to a national holiday to seek permission to consume two celebratory drinks under a new defence directive.
‘Calamitous’: Molan slams ADF decision
Erin Molan says a move to strip senior ADF personnel of their awards and honours before war crime allegations have been proven is “appalling, clumsy, calamitous”.
Judge’s ruling imminent: war hero or war criminal
A judge will rule next week on whether Ben Roberts-Smith took part in the murder of civilians in Afghanistan or has been wrongly accused by Nine newspapers.
Soldier allegedly killed Afghan dad in field
An Australian ex-soldier accused of the wartime murder of an Afghan villager has had his bail conditions relaxed.
Why vet blames Army for child abuse act
A desensitised and depressed ex-army soldier who served in Afghanistan blames the Army for his child abuse material act, a court has heard.
Change of defence in ABC court case
The ABC has dropped its truth defence in a defamation suit launched against it by former commando Heston Russell.
West needs US to rediscover mojo before it’s too late
For the last 20 years our frame of reference for war has been Afghanistan. A low-intensity, counterinsurgency campaign. This does not represent the scale of war against China.
Taliban kill ‘mastermind’ of Kabul airport attack
The bomber detonated among packed crowds as they tried to flee on August 26, 2021, killing 170 Afghans and 13 US troops.
‘Secret meeting’ in public interest: barrister
A secret meeting between a war crimes investigator and journalist Chris Masters should not be hidden just because it would be embarrassing for them, a tribunal has been told.
‘I told myself ‘just squeeze your legs together’’
Pregnant war widow Beckie MacKinney-Clohesy’s waters broke on the day of her husband’s funeral. Thirteen years on, the son he never met keeps his legacy alive.
Withdrawal from Afghanistan emboldened Russia
When Joe Biden won the 2020 election, he was his own man on Afghanistan and can’t blame his predecessor.
Biden admits errors in Kabul
However the long-awaited White House report largely blamed Donald Trump for creating the conditions leading to the rout.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/topics/afghanistan/page/11