The memorial
It’s been 25 years since Australia first deployed troops to Afghanistan, and the country is taking a moment to look back. On Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gathered with veterans, families, and dignitaries at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to mark the anniversary of 'Operation Slipper.'
Albanese framed the two-decade-long campaign as a mission to protect the values defining Australia, noting that the deployment began shortly after the 9/11 attacks in New York. "We went because we saw what was at stake," he said during the event.
The guest list
The ceremony saw a mix of high-profile attendees, including Governor General Sam Mostyn, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, and former Prime Ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott, and Scott Morrison.
Also in the crowd was Ben Roberts-Smith, the country’s most decorated living soldier. Roberts-Smith, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his service, is currently facing serious allegations regarding the murder of five unarmed detainees—charges he denies. A judge recently adjusted his bail conditions, allowing him to travel to the capital for the service, where he sat alongside his partner, Sarah Matulin.
Why it matters
For many, the legacy of the conflict is a complex mix of pride and tragedy. Over 35,000 Australian personnel served in the region, with 47 losing their lives and 263 sustaining injuries.
While the war ended with the Taliban reclaiming power in 2021—reinstating strict, authoritarian rule that has effectively erased many of the gains in civil rights and education—those who served on the ground often reflect on the lives they touched. Mathew Bell, a former lance corporal deployed in 2012, shared his perspective on the impact his unit had in the "badlands" of Tarinkot: "We changed that little part of Afghanistan, that little part of the world for good."
