Afstan: Three views
1) "Afghan mission: a test of Canadian values"
2) "Time for Canada to review policy on Afghanistan"
3) "Let Canada lead peace drive in Afghanistan".
Assess each on the basis of practicality and principle.
Update:
4) "Afghanistan not Canada’s fight alone"
2) "Time for Canada to review policy on Afghanistan"
3) "Let Canada lead peace drive in Afghanistan".
Assess each on the basis of practicality and principle.
Update:
4) "Afghanistan not Canada’s fight alone"
posted by Mark, Ottawa at 9:34 a.m.
1 Comments:
I thought these 3 articles provide some insight into different perspectives on the conflict. I am of the opinion that the media, the politicians and the public need to look back to the basics with respect to Afghanistan. Specifically, the goal of the NATO participation in Afghanistan is to create a stable government and institutions.
Though creating security is a significant part of that objective the stable government and stable institutions portions of the picture is all too often minimized. Specifically there is lack of popular trust in the Afghan government and institutions. This lack of trust and continued allegations of corruption are likely the single most significant aspect of the current situation in the day to day lives of the afghan population. This erosion in public trust is likely one of the key the drivers for dissatisfaction of the Afghan population. Though ISAF is launching a significant number of assistance efforts (of various sizes) it is unclear if the Afghan population will attribute that to a strong and robust Afghan government or trust in national institutions. This political situation, outside of Kabul, has not been appreciably improving over the past year. It is difficult for me to envision a stable government given that there still exists significant political power with the drug lords and there militias.
In short I do not see an over arching plan for success in place in Afghanistan. I think that we are fundamentally misguided in thinking that ISAF and NATO will have any success at nation building. I would also generally say that the role ISAF/NATO has been seriously impuned. The existence of significantly restrictive rules of engagement in ISAF has in effect created a very fractured forced along national/political lines and speaks volumes to the political will of contributing countries.
When the media, politicians, and the people of Canada come to evaluate the Canadian position in Afghanistan they should not focus on the casualty count, the number of good will efforts but instead remained focused on what is required to achieve a strong and autonomous Afghan government free of coercion from terrorists/insurgents and drug lords. I reiterate, I have yet to see a plan for success here put forward by ISAF. What I do see on an ongoing basis is innumerable tactical efforts (in terms of the military and goodwill) but nothing to substantially say things will get appreciably better.
I have personal problems with the fact that the current Canadian government has hooked its political fortune to ongoing involvement in the conflict. This has created a chilling effect on free and open discussion on this issue by turning it into a partisan debate. I also do not believe that the memory and honor of the fallen Canadian soldiers is contingent on our current role in the war, this eulogizing oratory also chills free and open discussion on the issue. I support our troops and mourn our casualties but continued involvement needs to be considered in light of sober and rational thought and politic will.
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