A former chief of the Australian Army says a coalition victory in Afghanistan will involve a political compromise with the Taliban.
General Peter Leahy says he believes Australia should have fewer troops there and more nation-building personnel such as aid officials and federal police.
General Leahy says it's also time for Australia to discuss what victory means because it is ill-defined, especially at a time when other coalition nations are heading for the "exit door".
"We're going to have to talk to the Taliban in some form," General Leahy told ABC Radio on Tuesday. "We can't kill them all ... so victory is going to be a political compromise."
General Leahy says that compromise would be best served if the Karzai government is bolstered to ensure it holds a position of trust and legitimacy.
At the moment, the Australian effort at nation building in Oruzgan province is grossly underdone, he says, but it is unclear if Australia has the intent or the staying power to be an effective nation-building partner for the Afghans.
The general predicted Australian troops would be in Afghanistan for "a considerable period into the future".
"But what I'd like to see is the balance change - the number of troops will come down as the number of civilians go up."
