THE Australian Greens’ notion of ‘‘mission creep’’ escalating our commitment to the war on terror is a legitimate concern that should be tested.
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Greens leader Christine Milne is probably out of step with most Australians and her thesis is probably wrong, but we can afford to be careful in dealing with the threat of deranged extremism and the possibility of a home grown sequel.
Bass Liberal MHR and former Iraq war veteran Andrew Nikolic described Mrs Milne’s comments as ‘‘morally corrupt’’, but Mrs Milne’s view and her entitlement to a view is surely an important reason why our troops and pilots are once again in harm’s way.
Islamic State punishes any contrary view with a barbaric, summary execution. They are criminals.
In contrast peaceful nations and societies will debate contrary views while defending the right of people to proffer them.
Most Australians would support the government’s decision to commit combat aircraft and specialist advisers.
It is a measured response to the extremist threat, both overseas and at home.
Mrs Milne has drawn a comparison with the Iraq war in 2003, when Australia, the US and Britain became bogged down in factional and sectarian Iraqi violence.
The lessons of Vietnam are also at play, when Australia and the US wasted years and thousands of lives propping up a corrupt regime in South Vietnam, based on the flawed domino theory of rampant communism.
Her caution is a sobering note.
Majority support for the current mission would soon evaporate if our troops in greater numbers became embroiled in another saga of endless sectarian violence in Iraq, and even Syria.
For his part, Mr Nikolic is also right. There is at hreat to our way of life if we do nothing.
Doing nothing is not going to dissuade Islamic State from its murderous course for one second.
It would ultimately encourage them.