The Dutch and Australians have fought together since 2006. Throughout Afghanistan 24 Dutch servicemen have been killed, with domestic political pressure now drawing their comrades home. In Holland the costs of deployment are much better known than the benefits.

In Australia the story is much the same. With 17 dead and up to 150 wounded, public opposition has also increased.

So what if anything is the upside? How much of a difference has the coalition made in this most alien corner of the planet?

And why is the soldier's view of the intervention so different to the view at home?

In the past months I interviewed hundreds of Australian service personnel with experience of Afghanistan. Not one thought they were fighting on the wrong side.

All saw they were making a difference. None wanted to be brought home.

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