There is a dark psychology to being in opposition. It is easy to get into an angry mindset, especially when you come so close to winning as Tony Abbott did in the recent election.

Initial euphoria gives way to the realisation that winning government could be years away. I suspect the angry outbursts from Abbott in the past week have a lot to do with disappointment and frustration at just falling short of winning government.

But I suspect his outbursts during the past week point to frustration at losing the election. First, he accused the prime minister of "machiavellian bastardry" after he was caught out saying he didn't accompany her to Afghanistan because he didn't want to risk jet lag. Then he repeated it all and said it was a carefully crafted plan by the Labor Party.

He followed that with a claim that Australian soldiers in Afghanistan were being "stabbed in the back by their own government" - all very intemperate even by Abbott's standards.

But why did he keep returning to the scene of his embarrassment? Surely this can't be tactical, especially as Newspoll this week showed a 9 percentage point drop in his popularity after his "jet lag" excuse.

All this suggests Abbott is feeling the pressure.

Abbott Retreats on Afghanistan Troops

then .....

Then last month the Coalition was, as it were, on the march again. Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston claimed ''commanders in the field'' were asking for more men and equipment; Johnston suggested the government consider several hundred extra troops, Tiger helicopters, Abrams tanks, mortars and artillery.

Abbott backed Johnston while admitting he personally wasn't up to speed; Johnston copped widespread ridicule for his suggestion of tanks.

When Abbott visited Afghanistan late last week, the leading commander in the field, Major-General John Cantwell, said the force had all it needed for the mission at hand. This put the opposition in an awkward position.

With the parliamentary debate on Afghanistan looming next week, Abbott had to retreat, though walking backwards would look inelegant. Arriving home, he said he'd consider the information he'd gathered in Afghanistan before making further comment.

By Wednesday, his spokeswoman said that after Abbott's personal briefing from Cantwell he was ''reassured that no extra resources or troops were needed for the mission at hand''.

Johnston says his and Abbott's position are now ''exactly the same'' (he has been forced to totally capitulate, trying to grab a couple of fig leaves while he does so).

The reference to commanders in the field calling for more resources raise questions about Johnston's sources. Clearly the senior commanders haven't been saying this.

Abbott Retreats On Call For More Troops

and, in case you hadn't noticed the first time ....

The military prosecutor's decision to charge three Australian soldiers for an operation that killed five children in Afghanistan has met ferocious criticism.

Tony Abbott said the soldiers had been ''stabbed in the back'' and ''thrown to the wolves'' by the government. An online petition signed by almost 20,000 Australians claims the prosecutions will ''paralyse'' troops in the field.

The petition includes vicious and sexist attacks on the prosecutor, Brigadier Lyn McDade. Commentators such as Alan Jones and Piers Akerman have fuelled the backlash.

The attacks on the integrity and independence of the military justice process are a national disgrace and reveal a deep ignorance among some, including the Opposition Leader, about fighting in war. As professional soldiers, Australian forces are highly trained to follow orders, to fight within their rules of engagement, to distinguish between military targets and civilians, and to carefully minimise civilian casualties.

Abbott Criticised Charges Against Soldiers From Afghanistan