An ex-Special Forces commando has ignited fierce national debate after passionately defending Ben Roberts-Smith and accusing Australian authorities of “betraying” the soldiers who risked everything in the brutal war in Afghanistan. In a raw and emotional account, former SAS operator Dean Burgess has lifted the lid on the terrifying split-second decisions soldiers were forced to make in combat zones where “friend and foe looked exactly the same,” reigniting one of the most divisive military controversies Australia has faced in decades.
The explosive intervention comes at a time when the legacy of Australia’s longest war continues to haunt the nation. Ben Roberts-Smith, once celebrated as a Victoria Cross recipient and one of the country’s most decorated soldiers, has become the central figure in a bitter battle over accountability, honour, and the brutal realities of modern warfare.
Dean Burgess Breaks His Silence
In a lengthy and highly charged interview, Dean Burgess, a former elite commando with years of operational experience in Afghanistan, did not hold back. “The government abandoned the very soldiers who fought for it,” he declared. “They sent us to war, gave us rules of engagement that changed daily, and then hung us out to dry when the political winds shifted.”
Burgess described the chaos of operations in Helmand and Uruzgan provinces, where Taliban fighters often blended seamlessly with civilians. “In those moments, you have a split second to decide,” he said. “You don’t have the luxury of hindsight or a courtroom analysis. Friend and foe looked exactly the same. One wrong call and your mates die. That was the reality every single day.”
His comments have sent shockwaves through the Australian Defence Force community and beyond. Many veterans have rallied behind him, praising his willingness to speak publicly about the moral and psychological toll of combat. Others, however, have criticised his remarks as an attempt to whitewash alleged war crimes.
The Ben Roberts-Smith Saga
Ben Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during a 2010 battle in Kandahar province. For years, he was the public face of Australian military heroism. That image was shattered following a landmark defamation lawsuit in 2023, in which Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko found that Roberts-Smith had committed war crimes, including the murder of unarmed prisoners. The judgment was a devastating blow to the former SAS corporal.
Despite the court ruling, Roberts-Smith has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that he acted lawfully and in accordance with his training. He is currently appealing the decision. His supporters argue that the case represents a broader attack on the SAS Regiment and a failure to understand the fog of war.
Dean Burgess’s intervention has breathed new life into this debate. “Ben Roberts-Smith did what he had to do to protect his men,” Burgess claimed. “Now the same government that sent him there is throwing him under the bus to look morally superior.”
The Brereton Report and Its Aftermath
The controversy traces back to the 2020 Brereton Report, an independent inquiry into alleged war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. The report identified 39 incidents involving 25 Australian soldiers, resulting in the deaths of at least 39 civilians and prisoners. Several soldiers have faced criminal charges, and the SAS Regiment’s reputation has been severely damaged.
Many veterans argue that the report and subsequent prosecutions fail to account for the extreme conditions of the conflict. “We were fighting an enemy that didn’t wear uniforms, that used human shields, and that planted IEDs everywhere,” said one anonymous former operator. “Now politicians who never heard a shot fired in anger are judging us from their air-conditioned offices.”
Human rights groups and some legal experts counter that war crimes are war crimes, regardless of the difficulty of the environment. “The rules exist for a reason,” said a spokesperson for the Australian Human Rights Commission. “Even in war, there are lines that cannot be crossed.”
A Nation Divided
The renewed debate has exposed deep divisions within Australian society. Opinion polls show the public is split almost evenly. A significant portion of the population, particularly in rural and regional areas with strong military connections, sympathises with the soldiers and believes they are being unfairly targeted. In contrast, many urban Australians and younger generations demand full accountability and transparency.
Politicians have been quick to weigh in. Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie, himself a former SAS officer, called for a more balanced approach. “We must support our veterans while ensuring justice is served,” he said. Meanwhile, independent senator Jacqui Lambie has been vocal in her criticism of the Defence establishment, accusing it of a “cover-up culture” that protected senior officers while throwing junior soldiers to the wolves.
The emotional toll on veterans cannot be overstated. Many who served in Afghanistan suffer from PTSD, moral injury, and a profound sense of betrayal. Suicide rates among returned soldiers remain alarmingly high, adding another tragic layer to the controversy.
The Human Cost of War
Dean Burgess painted a vivid picture of the psychological pressure faced by special forces operators. “You’re sleep-deprived, constantly under threat, and making life-or-death decisions with incomplete information,” he explained. “Then years later, lawyers and journalists dissect every action in perfect safety and clarity. It’s not right.”
He also highlighted the lack of adequate support for soldiers upon their return. “We were told we were heroes when we came home with medals. Now we’re being treated like criminals. The government trained us to be killers and then acts shocked when we kill.”
Roberts-Smith’s supporters have seized on Burgess’s comments to renew calls for a royal commission or independent review into how the Brereton Report was conducted and how evidence was gathered. They argue that some witness testimonies may have been unreliable or influenced by internal regimental politics.
What Lies Ahead?
As the debate rages, Ben Roberts-Smith’s appeal continues through the courts. The outcome could have far-reaching implications not just for him, but for the entire Australian special forces community and how future military operations are judged.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has promised a “fair and thorough” review of ongoing cases but has stopped short of committing to major reforms. Veterans’ groups are calling for better mental health support, clearer rules of engagement training, and an end to what they describe as the “retrospective criminalisation” of wartime actions.
Dean Burgess’s powerful intervention has ensured that the conversation about Australia’s military legacy in Afghanistan will not fade quietly. It has forced the nation to confront uncomfortable questions: How do we honour those who served while holding them accountable? Where is the line between the brutal necessities of war and outright criminality? And, most importantly, has the government truly stood by the soldiers it sent into harm’s way?
For now, the wounds remain open. The soldiers who fought Australia’s longest war continue to fight a different battle — one for their reputation, their freedom, and their place in the nation’s memory.