httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-ozF9QDJms
One of the most poignant segments on television is “Coach’s Corner” with Don Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada. During its telecast Cherry takes time to solemnly display pictures of dead soldiers to honour their memory. It’s a long, few moments of reflection that makes one wonder how Afghanistan has become our Vietnam minor. As we watch, the inevitable question for many becomes: “Why are we there?”
Originally, in the aftermath of 9/11 in 2001, the international purpose was to free Afghanistan from the Taliban thus freeing it from harbouring terrorist organizations like Al-Quaeda and to capture the ever-elusive Osama bin Laden. The Canadian official objective of the mission was to defend our national interests, assume a leadership role in world affairs and help rebuild one of history’s most notorious failed states.
If the task of Operation Enduring Freedom in the aftermath of removing the Taliban wasn’t daunting as it is, the United States decided to shift focus away from Afghanistan and into Iraq in 2003 thus leaving Afghanistan extremely vulnerable to a rise of Taliban activity; which is exactly what has transpired.
As this video clearly shows, there are always unintended consequences to military action; especially in a region with a complex geo-political past such as Afghanistan. The issue isn’t if we can defeat them in a traditional military fight, the issue is if we’re willing to fight a long, protracted war to quell, if not outright defeat, the fanaticism that fuels the Taliban forces and its ideology.
Pressure has grown on Prime Minister Harper to pull out of the mission. However, Canada has pledged its commitment until 2011. We have to carefully weigh the implications if we’re to ever pull out before this time frame.
It remains to be seen what the United States will do in Afghanistan once the new administration under President Obama in 2009.
Whatever the decisions, it won’t make dealing with Afghanistan any easier.
