Almost 20 years ago, the September 11 attacks left the United States and its allies reeling – and looking for answers and retribution.

In the days after the Twin Towers fell, Prime Minister John Howard invoked the ANZUS Treaty over the “heinous crimes”. By October 22 2001, Howard and Labor leader Kim Beazley were farewelling our special forces soldiers. No one thought Australia’s involvement would last for another six prime ministerships.

Australia withdrew its combat troops at the end of 2013, but about 80 military personnel are still there. On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced they would come home, as US troops also leave, by September this year.

Today, Australian National University professor John Blaxland reflects on Australia’s longest war, and what was achieved and what was lost.

As he writes, “[our] lack of involvement in international strategy formulation left Australia vulnerable to incoherent policy-making and planning by US political and military leaders”.

Jared Mondschein of Sydney University’s US Studies Centre looks at the withdrawal from America’s perspective. He asks the questions on many people’s minds: “what was it all for?”

Judith Ireland

Deputy Editor, Politics + Society

Department of Defence/AAP

Incomplete strategy and niche contributions — Australia leaves Afghanistan after 20 years

John Blaxland, Australian National University

Afghanistan sharpened Australia's fighting capacity and capability. But we were still part of a spectacular failure of political and military leadership.

David Goldman/AP

As the US plans its Afghan troop withdrawal, what was it all for?

Jared Mondschein, University of Sydney

As President Joe Biden said on announcing the US troop withdrawal by September, 'our reasons for remaining in Afghanistan have become increasingly unclear'.

Mick Tsikas/AAP

Grattan on Friday: Christine Holgate gets her own bully pulpit – and uses it to effect

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Christine Holgate's evidence before a senate inquiry on Tuesday delivered some wounding blows to Scott Morrison

AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

If bullying can happen to Christine Holgate at the highest level, then what happens to other women at work?

Nareen Young, University of Technology Sydney

Workplace bullying and harassment has many guises. Sometimes, it is gendered. Sometimes it is racist. For women of colour, it's often both.

Shutterstock

Victoria’s new feral horse plan could actually protect the high country. NSW’s method remains cruel and ineffective

Don Driscoll, Deakin University

Victoria's plan has flaws, but it's still likely to bring the feral horse problem under control, and will do a lot better than the very low benchmark set by NSW.

KYDPL KYODO/AP

Japan is facing a fourth COVID wave and sluggish vaccine rollout. Will it be ready for the Olympics?

Craig Mark, Kyoritsu Women's University

How Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government handles the games may just determine its fate in elections this year.

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