"Q&A: Canada’s role in the war in Afghanistan"

Terry Glavin and distinguished others will be on the radio, netwise that is (US National Public Radio: Update note--Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. EST):

Canadian troops have served alongside Americans and others in Afghanistan for years, with 2,700 currently posted primarily in Kandahar.

A Canadian soldier in Afghanistan.

But while some in the U.S. have labeled the war in Afghanistan “the right war,” the conflict has been a source of strong debate in Canada, amid concerns that Canada has abandoned a more traditional peacekeeping role. The combat Afghanistan represents the most intense fighting Canadian forces have seen in decades, since the country fought in Korea.

Since the beginning of the war, 108 Canadian soldiers have died — a relatively high casualty rate given the size of Canada’s troop presence in Afghanistan.

Canada is scheduled to withdraw from Afghanistan by 2011, and about 65 percent of Canadians support the planned withdrawal.

Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show will explore Canada’s role in Afghanistan and the debate over Canada’s role in peacemaking versus peacekeeping. Tune in on Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. EST and ask your questions in the form below.

Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests:

Nipa Banerjee worked for the Canadian International Development Agency for 33 years, heading aid efforts in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2006 and working in a number of other countries. Her research interests include reconstruction, development and aid effectiveness in post-conflict countries, with a special focus on Afghanistan, where she travels frequently. She is currently a professor at the University of Ottawa.

Terry Glavin is a freelance journalist, who recently spent a month reporting in Afghanistan. He is a co-founder of the Canada-Afghanistan Solidarity Committee, a multi-partisan group of Canadians dedicated to solidarity with the Afghan people. He is the editor of Transmontanus Books in Vancouver, and is an adjunct professor of creative writing at the University of British Columbia.

Ron Hoffmann is Canada’s Ambassador to Afghanistan. Prior to his appointment as ambassador in Sept. 2008, he was deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Canada in Kabul. He has also served abroad in The Hague, Johannesburg, Beijing and London.

Submit your questions in the form below. Your first name and general location may be stated on-air accompanying your question...

One can link to the broadcast here.