US president Barack Obama has asked allies around the globe to contribute extra troops to the ongoing war in Afghanistan. President Obama has labelled it the “war we need to win” and believes an extra commitment to the conflict will bring about victory.
Yesterday, a special request was issued from the White House to senior Australian officials, recognising the current commitment and requesting an increased involvement from the Australian armed forces. The minister for armies has stated that added reinforcement hasn’t been ruled out and the minister for children has hinted that closure of childcare centres may lead to an increase in small children and toddlers roaming the streets unnecessarily.
The conflict in Afghanistan may be the avenue to occupy these children, with the added benefit of providing useful life skills like leadership, discipline and killing.
Human rights organisations have slammed the idea but some war analysts agree with the minister’s suggestion, saying that including children under the age of six in the conflict will bring the average soldier age closer to that of the Taliban, effectively allowing Australia to “pick on people their own size”.
The Australian armed forces have voiced concerns that sending children to war may result in increased casualties, claiming that the guns and ammunition used in Afghanistan have small parts and are only suitable for children over the age of eight.