Opinions on Canada's Role in Afghanistan

[wolfking99]

I'm doing some research and I would be really thankful for any input from anybody about their opinion about Canada's role in Afghanistan. I'd also appreciate some other information about the current situation as well. Thanks alot.

- Wolfking99

 

[elevennevele]

I'm doing some research and I would be really thankful for any input from anybody about their opinion about Canada's role in Afghanistan. I'd also appreciate some other information about the current situation as well. Thanks alot.

- Wolfking99

There is a lot of input on this topic here. I can't say which boards had the best discussions. Also if you cycle through the pages under Canadian Politics you'll come across a recent debate under a topic header.

eg. Page 1 of 90 1 23451151 > Last »

http://www.canadiancontent.net/quer...anistan&engine=Webpages&Search.x=8&Search.y=7

 

[wolfking99]

There is a lot of input on this topic here. I can't say which boards had the best discussions. Also if you cycle through the pages under Canadian Politics you'll come across a recent debate under a topic header.

eg. Page 1 of 90 1 23451151 > Last »

http://www.canadiancontent.net/quer...anistan&engine=Webpages&Search.x=8&Search.y=7

Thanks a lot.
- Wolfking99

 

[#juan]

Canada's role in Afghanistan, in the perception of many Canadians, changed with the election of the Harper government. It is thought by many that Canada's previous role was humanitarian, and reconstruction. That was not the case, but Canada's troops were certainly operating in a safer, less dangerous area. Harper has added more troops and to please Bush, our troops are now operating in a more dangerous area, where a lot of other NATO member countries refuse to send their soldiers.

I don't see this as a winnable war. There is no objective that can be fought for and won. There is no territory that must be taken. What we have is a seemingly endless supply of Taliban terrorists that enter Afghanistan from their refuge in Pakastan. Until Pakistan stops giving refuge and aid to the Taliban, we will continue to lose soldiers in a useless war.

 

[wolfking99]

Canada's role in Afghanistan, in the perception of many Canadians, changed with the election of the Harper government. It is thought by many that Canada's previous role was humanitarian, and reconstruction. That was not the case, but Canada's troops were certainly operating in a safer, less dangerous area. Harper has added more troops and to please Bush, our troops are now operating in a more dangerous area, where a lot of other NATO member countries refuse to send their soldiers.

I don't see this as a winnable war. There is no objective that can be fought for and won. There is no territory that must be taken. What we have is a seemingly endless supply of Taliban terrorists that enter Afghanistan from their refuge in Pakastan. Until Pakistan stops giving refuge and aid to the Taliban, we will continue to lose soldiers in a useless war.

Thank you very much for your info and opinion.
- Wolfking99

 

[Sassylassie]

Wolf here is the Department of National Defence's website name: www.forces.gc.ca
The site contains articles about Canada's mission in Afghanistan and other military activities.
Check out the article regarding the troops adopting a Donkey tooooooooooo cute.

 

[CDNBear]

Dispitethe mis-information you've been given so far, our role hasn't changed sice the Liberals sent us in, in the first place. Our prime objectives are the same as they were when Martian was King.

The prime role of our military force was and is to secure areas and help in the implamentation of new and sustainable infrastructure. Albeit, some force will required, as there are eliments that wish to continue with their strangle hold on the people of Afghanistan.

Some will argue that the area we now have responsiblity to secure, was forced upon us by our dear leaders puppet master in th esouth. That is absurd. Our moving was facilitated by the fact that we pretty much quelled the ofensive in the previous area, and were asked to move on to big and more aggressive operations, due largely to our ablity and personal, as apposed to some quaking desire to please Bush.

If we can remove the forces that wish to regain their hold on tyranny and help develop a sound infrastructure, the benefits for Afghanistan will be paramount. This war is winnable. With time and more support on the home front, it will be won. Canada is a first class nation when it comes to developing peace strategies and assisting in the developing of agriculture the world over.

 

[wallyj]

Juan,you started out so well,then drifted into the anti-american drivel. We are in a more dangerous area because that was the plan all along. Start with the areas that can be helped with the least resistance and gradually move into the snakepit.This way your back is reasonably safe. Primary battle logistics. Would you rather the troops quit now with the job partially completed? The south of Afghanistan has always been known as the worst part of the country,and we always knew there would be more casualties once we moved there.As for reconstuction and development,think of it this way. If you are going to build a treehouse for your kids,you must clear all the hornet's nest from the tree if you want any success,because eventually they will make the whole yard uninhabitable.

 

[CDNBear]

Well said, now why didn't I put it that way. Oh ya, I was trying not to provoke Juan.

 

[wolfking99]

Thank you all for your valuable input :happy3:
- Wolfking99

 

[temperance]

we have no role there ,
I support our troops as they choosen to enlist to protect our freedom ,I will alway support them ,I do not support this war ,I dont see the outcome as positive and who invited us anyways ? (thats is a question )



If wars are fought to preseve or to reach freedom ,so be it ,I see destruction and murder where is freedom ?

please help me with my question ,Iknow its mudane but need for my research http://forums.canadiancontent.net/off-topic/53562-if-you-had-choice-buying.html
thank you

 

[#juan]

Well Wally, you would know drivel, having posted so much of it yourself. Why don't you tell us when, and how, we would even know if we won. God knows how many times Afghanistan has been invaded over the years, and they are no doubt getting tired of it. The Russians never succeeded in winning anything in Afghanistan, and neither did the British. Anti-American? If I was, I would be among a majority of people in the world.

 

[Sassylassie]

The Afghan people don't feel that way Juan, at least those who take the time to speak in public. Canada is not Russia, we are there to rebuild and stabilize this country not to be an occupying force. We have no desire to force our policies on them.

Article:
Coalition Forces Widely Accepted in Afghanistan (VIDEO)

Tim King, Salem-News.com
"The most important thing is that our country is getting better, it is getting positive steps toward democracy.” -Mohammad Bashure

Captain Nick Diamond of the British forces in Kabul, Afghanistan
Photo by: Tim King​

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - Weather conditions in Afghanistan include plenty of rain, that's something Oregon soldiers relate to, but they're also relating to people from many nations, like these Romanian troops. One British officer visiting Camp Phoenix today says the Oregon yanks are a good bunch, and this isn't the first time he's served with Americans.
"I have, I've served in Iraq twice with them,” says Captain Nick Diamond of the British Forces. “Interesting bunch, we get along quite well, a good bit of bantering between the two sides, not too bad at all."
But the reason all coalition forces are all here, is to help the Afghan people. People like Mohammad Bashure of Kabul. He says, "The most important thing is that our country is getting better, it is getting positive steps toward democracy.”
People in this war torn nation are no strangers to military action. But the coalition forces are widely accepted because they are aiding Afghanistan.
The last time a country set up shop here it was for an entirely different purpose. The Soviets, who actually built many of the buildings here in the 1980's, left in defeat, but not before devastating the country's infrastructure.
Captain Diamond said, "There still certainly seems to be resentment over what happened with the Russian invasion, but we've changed that and I think they're very keen and happy for us to be working with them."
And who could validate that point more than an Afghani like Mohammad Bashure.
"I'm really happy about the presence of the U.S. forces and the coalition forces here in Afghanistan, because these people are here to provide security… in our country, and thanks a lot for all the people of America, for the government and the U.S. forces here in Afghanistan.”


If you are interested in sponsoring a special report, direct from the 41st Combat Brigade at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan, email: bonnie@salem-news.com

 

[Karlin]

Canada's role in Afghanistan, in the perception of many Canadians, changed with the election of the Harper government. It is thought by many that Canada's previous role was humanitarian, and reconstruction. That was not the case, but Canada's troops were certainly operating in a safer, less dangerous area. Harper has added more troops and to please Bush, our troops are now operating in a more dangerous area, where a lot of other NATO member countries refuse to send their soldiers.

I don't see this as a winnable war. There is no objective that can be fought for and won. There is no territory that must be taken. What we have is a seemingly endless supply of Taliban terrorists that enter Afghanistan from their refuge in Pakastan. Until Pakistan stops giving refuge and aid to the Taliban, we will continue to lose soldiers in a useless war.

Right on Juan. The only thing I would add to that is the fact of the STARVING AFGHANS. Right now, in winter, there is a shortage of food for the locals in southern Afghanistan where our troops are killing the Taliban. One of the Cdn army's tactics is to befriend the locals so they don't join the Taliban, which many do just for the money to buy food. Taliban pays better than the Afghan army does.

Supplying food for the locals would be the best thing the troops could do, but they don't have the money. It is being spent re-arming, repairing and replacing the machinery of war. Fewer excursions to hunt for Taliban would mean more money for emergency food, to keep the locals from starving, which some are allready and winter has just begun.
:clock:
time is running out for them

 

[Colpy]

I have to say first off that Canada is doing EXACTLY the mission laid out for us by the Liberals...........the Conservatives merely extended it by two years.

That may have been a mistake...........not because I disapprove of the mission, IMHO the only good Islamofascist is a dead Islamofascist, but because the rest of NATO is shirking, leaving us holding the hot potato. And now we can not honourably drop that potato until 2009.

My personal opinion is that the number of troops in Afghanistan needs to climb radically. I think Blackleaf posted the site that showed British troops entering a village, engaging Taliban, withdrawing and calling in air strikes......talk about a way to piss off the natives!!!!!!

Did we learn nothing from Vietnam?

If one is to secure villages to begin and protect reconstruction projects, each area needs a defensive presence on the ground......not weekly air strikes.

Perhaps soldiers trained to arm, train, and lead local militias............but you can't beat guerillas from concentrated military bases......you have to out-guerilla them, and win over the people.

The straight stuff from my arm chair.....perhaps I'll promote myself to Field Marshal.:laughing7:

 

[#juan]

I have to say first off that Canada is doing EXACTLY the mission laid out for us by the Liberals...........the Conservatives merely extended it by two years.

That may have been a mistake...........not because I disapprove of the mission, IMHO the only good Islamist is a dead Islamist, but because the rest of NATO is shirking, leaving us holding the hot potato. And now we can not honourably drop that potato until 2009.

Please note I said "Islamist" not Muslim.

My personal opinion is that the number of troops in Afghanistan needs to climb radically. I think Blackleaf posted the site that showed British troops entering a village, engaging Taliban, withdrawing and calling in air strikes......talk about a way to piss off the natives!!!!!!

Did we learn nothing from Vietnam?

If one is to secure villages to begin and protect reconstruction projects, each area needs a defensive presence on the ground......not weekly air strikes.

Perhaps soldiers trained to arm, train, and lead local militias............but you can't beat guerillas from concentrated military bases......you have to out-guerilla them, and win over the people.

The straight stuff from my arm chair.....perhaps I'll promote myself to Field Marshal.:laughing7:

According to my dictionary:
Noun: Islamist: One who is knowledgeable about Islam
An orthodox Muslim

 

[Colpy]

According to my dictionary:
Noun: Islamist: One who is knowledgeable about Islam
An orthodox Muslim

Fair enough.

Please substitute Islamofascist for Islamist. I will do so immediately.

 

[elevennevele]

Wolfking99, those who fight us recognize no borders between Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are a tribal culture to the south and they don’t like uninvited guests onto their land. The politicians would like to paint them as terrorist or Taliban but that becomes an absurd simplification. Those in the south that are fighting us are basically the Pashtuns and they make up the millions upon millions in the southern lands.

They’ve fought any foreign occupation from us to the Solviets, to the British all the way back to Alexander The Great.

I wrote a whole background on these people, and I did so by referencing the online encyclopedia Encarta.

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761569370_11/Afghanistan.html

And here is the message forum...

http://forums.canadiancontent.net/c...mission-only-1-4-humanitarian.html#post731254

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_people

Pashtuns have survived a turbulent history over several millennia, during which they have rarely been united. Their modern past began with the rise of the Durrani Empire in 1747. Pashtun martial prowess has been renowned since Alexander the Great ran up against them in the 3rd century BC.[21] The Pashtuns were one of the few groups that managed to impede British imperialism during the 19th century, and as a result were designated within the racialist category of Martial Races.[22] Pashtuns played a pivotal role in the Soviet war in Afghanistan (1979–89), as many joined the ranks of the Mujahideen. The Pashtuns gained notoriety with the rise and fall of the Taliban, since they were the main ethnic contingent in the movement. Modern Pashtuns have been prominent in the rebuilding of Afghanistan and are an important community in Pakistan, where they are the second-largest ethnic group.

Distribution of Pashtuns in southern and eastern Afghanistan and western Pakistan (in red)

You can be sure Harper understands the situation in Afghanistan as much as he understands how to talk to the Chinese. ukeright:

 

[elevennevele]

I have to say first off that Canada is doing EXACTLY the mission laid out for us by the Liberals...........the Conservatives merely extended it by two years.

1. Not really and 2., merely?

Yeah, that is just like there is 'merely' more dead Canadians and 'merely' more dead Afghans by us.

 

[talloola]

our responsibility

when 911 occurred, it changed many things. There were many people killed in that tragedy from many
countries, including Canada. We were part of the united nations decision to join the coaition to go into
Afghanistan and remove the taliban.
And, I must add, even though I dissaprove of George Bush. He did give the taliban an ultimatum, to
give up Usama Bin Laden at that time, and if they had have done that, they could have saved themselves
all this grief, but they chose "not to", they chose not to co operate in any way whatsoever.

The fight in Afghanistan has nothing at all to do with Iraq.

The biggest problem now is the let up by the U.S. in Afghanistan, but that let-up happened by all the
other countries as well. If the afghan fight had continued as strong as it started, it probably would
have made a huge improvement for the afghan people by now. Why didn't all of the coalition bitterly
complain when the U.S. began to back away from Afghanistan.

We are in there now as part of NATO, and if we decide to "just" leave, that would not look very good
on our part, as we made a commitment to that endeavour.

In all the years we have had a military, since world war 2, our military hasn't had to partake in any sort
of "fight", and it seems that many who join, are just joining to get an education, or a free ride of some
sort. We now know that joining the military means that "you are willing to give your life" for your
country, and that could be a real possibility, and now that is happening, some are complaining that
we should "leave", is that fair to the rest of the countries who are contributing.