The prime minister who first sent Australian forces to what would become their longest war told 7.30 the "mission" was not a failure, because it stopped further 9/11-style attacks on the West being launched from Afghanistan.
John Howard said he could "understand the argument" that the war had been a failure because Al Qaeda operatives were still active in the country.
But Mr Howard — who was among the first world leaders to pledge military support for the US-led campaign in 2001 — said he did not "totally" agree.
"There are undoubtedly elements of Al Qaeda still in Afghanistan. And the Taliban … which, on occasions, is completely indistinguishable from Al Qaeda, is a very potent force," Mr Howard said.
"But the truth is that the great fear of the United States and Australia and the West after September 11 — that there would be other attacks orchestrated out of Afghanistan — that has not materialised.
Asked by 7.30 host Leigh Sales if the broader "war on terror" was a failure given the relative strength of radical and violent Islamist ideologies around the world today, Mr Howard said that was "changing the yardstick" by which the war was measured.
"Of course, there have been other attacks. But that doesn't mean that the immediate objective of the operation in Afghanistan has been a failure," he said.
Mr Howard said his message to the families of veterans who had been killed in service, or suffered after returning home, was that their country was "proud" of them.
He said no Australian ever died in vain in war, because Australia always fought for "noble" objectives.
'Not all of them wanted to come'
Australia is mounting an eleventh-hour effort to evacuate more Afghan citizens who worked with Australian troops during the war, largely as interpreters. Hundreds have already been brought to Australia, but many more remain in Afghanistan and fear brutal Taliban reprisals.
Asked if the seemingly "low priority" on these evacuations would hurt Australia's capacity to source local help in future conflicts, Mr Howard said it was wrong to imply the government had not been trying.
Mr Howard, who was prime minister over the first six years of Australia's involvement, said he thought the US withdrawal was "too hasty".
"I think it could have been possible to have had a more orderly withdrawal," he said.
"But we had to deal, obviously, with the situation that we faced. And I think it is quite unfair on the government to suggest we haven't even bothered to help any of the people who've helped us."
Watch John Howard's interview on 7.30 tonight on ABC TV or iview.
