Afstan: Quagmire update
The inimitable Ibbitson, of the quagmire-loving Globe, raises the spectre without actually using the "Q" word (full text not online). Just like his colleague Geoffrey York .
And it wouldn't just be "Canada's own little Vietnam". It would be the US's, NATO's, indeed that of the coalition of 37 countries. Funny also that the Canadian media so rarely mention the breadth of the international military commitment; they seem intent on creating the impression that basically it's just us and the Americans. Hmm.
Bob Rae...is...presenting himself as the candidate who has all Michael Ignatieff's smarts, eloquence and bilingual fluency, but who, unlike Mr. Ignatieff, isn't prepared to risk turning Afghanistan into Canada's own little Vietnam, which many Liberals now fear that engagement could become...Funny, I haven't seen any news stories of Liberals linking Afstan with Vietnam (yet). A Google News search doesn't turn up anything either. Now some Liberals may indeed be thinking quagmire, but why is Mr Ibbitson highlighting this so strikingly?
And it wouldn't just be "Canada's own little Vietnam". It would be the US's, NATO's, indeed that of the coalition of 37 countries. Funny also that the Canadian media so rarely mention the breadth of the international military commitment; they seem intent on creating the impression that basically it's just us and the Americans. Hmm.
posted by Mark, Ottawa at 9:50 a.m.
1 Comments:
The real Quagmire is the one the Taliban are in. There losses are horrific... it's been a slaughter so far.
Considering that our troops are extending out into regions that have not yet been pacified, and that they are pursueing more often than being ambushed, bodes well.
Afghanistan is fast becoming the place where radicals in Pakistan and the foot soldiers of drug lords come to die. The fight has been so one-sided so far that one has got to feel pitty for the poor slobs that get recruited in Pakistan. Most will never come home.
If we are still at this state 3 years from now, then perhaps we may grant the word Quagmire to be used. My guess is it'll be a very low level conflict by then.
My only concern, Frankly, is the Iranian giant next door who can supply more sophisticated arms and know-how. We are right on the doorstep to the Persian fanatics home.
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