Australia Talks

Australian Defence Minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, is just back from meetings with NATO ministers in Europe. The big topic, the future of Afghanistan. When US led troops invaded after September Eleven, their target was Osama Bin Laden and his supporters. Military efforts to topple the Taliban Regime in Afghanistan were strengthened by further UN and NATO support; put simply, a strong international campaign to liberate and rebuild Afghanistan.

But since the war began, increasing numbers of civilians are being killed, the country is a long way from secure and there's growing resentment about the international campaign. And with the instability in neighbouring Pakistan, the situation has become critical. Minister Joel Fitzgibbon talks about Australia's involvement in Afghanistan and future strategies for international forces there.

Plus a look back to Afghanistan in the 1980s through the film "Charlie Wilson's War". The film deals with the CIA's role in the Soviet war and in particular, the actions of then Texas Congressman, Charlie Wilson, played by Tom Hanks.

Guests

Julie Rigg
Presenter Movietime

Joel Fitzgibbon
Australian Defence Minister

Alexander Bellamy
Lecturer, Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Queensland

Sahib Shakaib - SBS radio presenter and journalist

Further Information

A link to Joanne Herring's website

Presenter

Paul Barclay

Story Researcher and Producer

Debra McCoy