Prime Minister Stephen Harper told a CNN interviewer that Canadian troops and their NATO allies can’t defeat the Taliban, the Globe and Mail reported Mar. 2.
Canada entered Afghanistan in 2002 under a Liberal Party mandate, after a U.S.-led invasion overthrew Afghanistan’s Taliban regime in late 2001. Fighting has continued against insurgents.
This is the first time Harper, who has supported the war since 2002 and extended the mission to 2011 last year, has publicly said defeating the insurgents is impossible.
“We’re not going to win this war just by staying,” he said, adding that success has been modest because NATO’s gains could be lost.
Harper didn’t completely rule out extending Canada’s military commitment beyond the 2011 deadline, but his government has stated that Canada won’t extend the deadline for a second time.
Although it’s disappointing that it took Harper almost seven years to acknowledge Canada misconceived its long-term role in Afghanistan, it’s refreshing to finally hear him say what so many people have been thinking.
But it’s difficult to blame Harper entirely, as many Western powers arguably shared his expectations of a quick and easy victory in retaliation of the 9/11 attacks.
Instead of dwelling on what should have been done, Canadians should focus on securing Harper’s commitment to redefine the country’s mission.
Canadians should be prepared to help rebuild the country it had a role in destabilizing.
Harper and all Canadians shouldn’t see the conflict in Afghanistan as a war to win or lose militarily; success should be measured by improvements in the quality of life of those living in the war zone, which thus far have been debatable.
Canada should also push for this ideological shift amongst its NATO allies at next month’s summit.
Harper has already come under attack for being a defeatist. In order to avoid demoralizing the troops, he must follow up his statement with a renewed vision for Canada’s mission that emphasizes redevelopment.
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