In war only one can survive
I have been meaning to write a post on the current war in Afghanistan –AKA Operation Enduring Freedom. Personally, this loud-mouth, is in complete favour of our troops in the war, and I grow tired when people continuously bicker, and whine, when they should be cheering these men and women on.
Lets face it, a military is built to fight wars. The current crisis in Afghanistan is OUR fault. The crisis, though the result of religious zealots believing that violence and there particular version of religion is the right one, is only part of the story to why Canada and much of the West has engaged in this conflict.
During the Cold War, the Soviets were well aware of a religious group gaining influence and power next to their border. The Iran movement in the 70’s sparked this. For you see, during this time, a radical extremist group believed that the Communism and Capitalism were wrong, and that extreme Islam was the way to be.
So the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, destroying what was once a beautiful mountain country filled with much vegetation, unlike what is shown on TV. So the West played its hand during this invasion, and secretly gave weapons to oppose the Soviets. To the West, they were following a simple military strategy – an enemy of my enemy is my friend.
But the Soviet Union would collapse, and with it, the world forgot about the rivalry between the two super powers. The 90’s marked a turbulent time, a recession, many lost jobs, and without the Soviet Union in the background, the West grew bored and complacent. Completely forgetting Afghanistan, those Afghans that resisted the communist leaders, found themselves in charge. What they did, no GOD would ever accept as HOLY.
Even worse, the West just let them get away with it, as these men, oppressed, raping innocent women, shattering lives. But the West just sat there. Who could blame the West though? Recession, fatigued from war, a new generation emerged, perhaps peace could be solved through capitalism? To an extent they were right. But out there, religious extremists, jealous of not belonging, grew, and out of that hatred… well you know the rest.
I just want Canadians to respect our troops as much as possible. Most of the soldiers that have died thus far, have been low level grunts not much older than us. It is these men and women who are fixing a mistake, that we as the West ignored for years. So the next time you hear people explaining that we should pull out of Afghanistan, ask them if they have ever studied history, and ask them how it was the Taliban came to power, and how the Cold War, exacerbated an extreme religious group.
Lets face it, a military is built to fight wars. The current crisis in Afghanistan is OUR fault. The crisis, though the result of religious zealots believing that violence and there particular version of religion is the right one, is only part of the story to why Canada and much of the West has engaged in this conflict.
During the Cold War, the Soviets were well aware of a religious group gaining influence and power next to their border. The Iran movement in the 70’s sparked this. For you see, during this time, a radical extremist group believed that the Communism and Capitalism were wrong, and that extreme Islam was the way to be.
So the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, destroying what was once a beautiful mountain country filled with much vegetation, unlike what is shown on TV. So the West played its hand during this invasion, and secretly gave weapons to oppose the Soviets. To the West, they were following a simple military strategy – an enemy of my enemy is my friend.
But the Soviet Union would collapse, and with it, the world forgot about the rivalry between the two super powers. The 90’s marked a turbulent time, a recession, many lost jobs, and without the Soviet Union in the background, the West grew bored and complacent. Completely forgetting Afghanistan, those Afghans that resisted the communist leaders, found themselves in charge. What they did, no GOD would ever accept as HOLY.
Even worse, the West just let them get away with it, as these men, oppressed, raping innocent women, shattering lives. But the West just sat there. Who could blame the West though? Recession, fatigued from war, a new generation emerged, perhaps peace could be solved through capitalism? To an extent they were right. But out there, religious extremists, jealous of not belonging, grew, and out of that hatred… well you know the rest.
I just want Canadians to respect our troops as much as possible. Most of the soldiers that have died thus far, have been low level grunts not much older than us. It is these men and women who are fixing a mistake, that we as the West ignored for years. So the next time you hear people explaining that we should pull out of Afghanistan, ask them if they have ever studied history, and ask them how it was the Taliban came to power, and how the Cold War, exacerbated an extreme religious group.
posted by Tristan | 6/20/2007 10:32:00 PM
|
7 comments
7 Comments:
-
Lee
How far do you want to take your stance? Do you wish to stifle meaningful debate as to whether Canada should still remain in Afghanistan?
6/21/2007 04:01:00 AMI do support Canada's continued presence in Afghanistan but I understand that others have decent arguments in regards to Canada's pullout. The rural of Afghanistan hate the Canadian presence there - and Canada may not be of much help to the rural 'tribes' and what not. Does this not give Canadians a reason to ask themselves - what are we doing in these areas when we have such little effectiveness?
Granted in the city areas, they are appreciate Canadian presence, but this all just goes to show the complexity of a matter where there is an 'occupying force'.
Another complicating fact is that people are often grateful when the occupying force comes in, but soon come to see them as intruding on matters of national interest - and simply want them out.
This offers no simple solution as having the forces out may cause further instability in that region - but it is worth being considered.
Anyway, like I said - I do support Canada in Afghanistan. But I am open to changing my mind if new information suggests that our effect may be more harmful to Afghan citizens than not...
It is responsiveness that we, who debate this question, need. Not some zealous need to stick with outdated ideas, that sounded great 10 years ago.
-
Tristan
Any Afghan's claiming that Canada's involvement in there nation is an occupation is cleary an exageration. I hear what you are saying Jane, but those Afghans see Canada as an enemy, even as an occupier, cleary benfited from the Taliban rule. It was their leaders that attacked us, not the other way around!
6/21/2007 09:11:00 PMI dont have proof backing this statement up, but I think more Afghans like Canadians, then they hate them.
-
Lee
Without having to bring up whether they did benefit from Taliban rule, what matters is that they certainly aren't benefiting now under Canada.
6/21/2007 10:53:00 PMHow legitimate is Canada if they cannot provide greater support than the Taliban to these people?
I know it may sound perhaps irrational - but there is something about having foreigners in their land is distasteful to them - probably from their long history - and thus this fact may be pushing more people into the Taliban.
-
Anonymous
The expression "one rotten apple spoils the bunch" applies here. Its the small minority of terrorists that make it difficult for the majority of peaceful Afhgans to live.
6/23/2007 05:51:00 PMThe taliban use un-honourable tactics, i.e. terrorism to get there way. If Canada was to leave, do you think the Taliban, would run the country any better? Yes Canada's maintainance of the country isn't superb, but given the conditions and resources, its doing well. (comparison to Iraq)
Canada is in no way trying to dictate to the Afghans in how to live there lives. We provide them with medical supplies, food, technology, only to have the odd, minute minority, use terror to scare both the populace and Canadian military.
I for one dont think any nation to back down from such barbarian tactics, espically when all the world wants is peace in the region.
And thats all Canada is trying to do. "Occupation" in thisd case is not an appropriate word. Canadians are in no way controlling the Afghan government.
-
Lee
See, that's the thing - it's not about our view whether we are occupiers or not, but their view.
6/24/2007 02:44:00 AMOnce our view of the right thing to do, trumps the Afghan's people view of what is right - that's a form of imperialism wouldn't you say?
Even if we think that we're doing a good deed and what not - we got to step back and empirically examine and then come to the conclusion. Good intent does not make for good effect necessarily!
And then in any nation building attempt - we must examine what the hell the people native to the land are thinking! If we're doing this for them - then naturally we must incorporate their needs and this includes a genuine concern for their opinions!
Of course we must weigh their demands against other concerns - but thef act remains we've to to at least heard understood and keep watch for possibilities of resolving the issue.
-
Lee
The last paragraph should say:
6/24/2007 02:48:00 AMOf course we must weigh their demands against other concerns - but the fact remains we've got to understand their issues and keep watch for possibilities of resolving the issue.
And the issue here is that 'tribal' afghans see this as akin to a foreign invasion!
-
Anonymous
So what do you think Canada should do then? Leave and let the Afghanstan solve itself? What other options are there?
6/24/2007 04:51:00 PMIf there was another more peaceful solution, don't you think Canadian leaders would vouch for it? Besides, how do we bring peace to a minority of people that are completely obsessed with the idea that "we" (the West) are evil?
Post a Comment
<< Home