I exposed war crimes among the SAS. A few weeks ago, my car was repossessed
Soldier’s heartbreaking journey for forgiveness after horror in Afghanistan | 60 Minutes Australia
Every front-line soldier knows war is hell. It’s an enormous responsibility to pick out an enemy fighter, aim a weapon at them and then pull the trigger knowing death is the likely result. That’s why in conflict there are very specific rules of engagement. For the last four years, a secret inquiry – the biggest in Australian military history – has been investigating whether soldiers from our elite special forces broke those rules and committed war crimes in Afghanistan. On 60 MINUTES, Nick McKenzie reveals new information about the shameful conduct of some of our elite fighters. One shocking incident … Continue reading Soldier’s heartbreaking journey for forgiveness after horror in Afghanistan | 60 Minutes Australia
Truth on war crimes leaves decorated soldier’s legacy destroyed | 60 Minutes Australia
Ben Roberts-Smith loses defamation case, with judge finding former SAS soldier committed war crimes
Ben Roberts-Smith committed war crimes in my country – his targets are the forgotten victims of Australia’s Afghan war
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/01/ben-roberts-smith-committed-war-crimes-in-my-country-his-targets-are-the-forgotten-victims-of-australias-afghan-war Continue reading Ben Roberts-Smith committed war crimes in my country – his targets are the forgotten victims of Australia’s Afghan war
‘I won’t be bullied or intimidated’: War crimes study author says fixing culture integral to national security
Attacks on war crimes researcher in a tawdry, misogynistic tradition
I’ve never seen a courtroom so still
Time to rethink the ANZAC myth
New documents have been released in Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial, shedding light on its most closely guarded moments.
A massive tranche of closely guarded photographs, messages, police reports and private war stories has been released in the twilight days of Ben Roberts-Smith‘s defamation trial giving never before seen insight into many of the key witnesses and war crime accusations. Read more here Continue reading New documents have been released in Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial, shedding light on its most closely guarded moments.
Anzac: the legend’s problem
An article originally written in 2008 for the ABC by former academic Tony Smith for ABC online where he argues that the tradition of Australians fighting other people’s wars began in WWI. This article was updated in 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-11-11/38318 Continue reading Anzac: the legend’s problem
Who shot the dog? The canine killing that could play a crucial role in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial
Among the many horrors and sadism of the SAS toward the Afghan people, animals did not escape cruelty. This story is not about the sentient creature who lost his/her life in that hideous war, but it’s what caught my eye as I learn more and more about the Australian troops’ unspeakable behaviour in Afghanistan. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/04/who-shot-the-dog-the-canine-killing-that-could-play-a-crucial-role-in-the-ben-roberts-smith-defamation-trial Continue reading Who shot the dog? The canine killing that could play a crucial role in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial
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ANZAC’s contested legacy
By Henry Reynolds Apr 25, 2022 Australian and New Zealand soldiers marching to Westminster Abbey to commemorate the first Anzac Day, London, 25 April 1916. Image: Wikimedia Commons The evidence suggests that the Federal government sees Anzac as an attractive tool to open a new front in the culture wars and one where the Labor party might well be wedged. The ongoing discussion between State and Federal education ministers about a national curriculum drafted by the Australian Curriculum Assessment Authority is still not finalised. There have been a number of sticking points, none more persistent than what history should be offered … Continue reading ANZAC’s contested legacy
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Yumi and Ben: the militarisation of Australia and the democratisation of hate
Published: March 6, 2012 1.59pm AEDT Author Ben WadhamSenior Lecturer, Flinders University Disclosure statement Ben Wadham does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Republish this article Last week the world became a very scary place for television host Yumi Stynes when she quipped that Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, looking buffed, ripped and tattooed in a public swimming pool, was “… going to dive down to the bottom of the pool to see if … Continue reading Yumi and Ben: the militarisation of Australia and the democratisation of hate
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War narratives, Anzacs and the media 
This website is about a project i’ve thought about for long time: militarism and its consequences. My focus is the Australian media’s relationship with the military, and why there’s not enough scrutiny of defence? What makes defence so untouchable, so immune to criticism? And why is Anzac so sacrosanct? Over the time of this project i will explore these issues and hopefully find some answers to that why question. Please join me. Continue reading War narratives, Anzacs and the media 
Blogging on the military 