Canada in Afghanistan

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by Lang

Is there anyone on the forum who can tell me (and the rest of the world) EXACTLY why we are in Afghanistan and what are the exact military aims which justify the staggering cost and dismal casualty lists.
Lang

We're not over there fighting to support a tribal government, hence the elections, nor for Afghanistan's vast oil resources (they have none), we're there to prevent the country from being a breeding ground for Islam terrorists, present and future. Our presence there keeps the Taliban and Al Qaeda on their heels, preventing them from consolidating their power through terror and turning Afghanistan into a terrorist training camp on a nation-wide basis. Further, by being there it makes it difficult for the Mullahs to indoctrinate the next generation of Bin Laden "Jugend" into wanting to martyr themselves. It's unfortunate that there are those who, without the stomach for a prolonged struggle, would have us leave Afghanistan without a self supporting government that has some idea of human rights in place. Believe me, radical Islam not only has the stomach, it thrives on chaos, torture, and bloodshed. There is no appeasing the blood lust and hatred of the West by radical Islam...why is it so many forget the mistakes of the past? One doesn't have to look too far into history to see the failed policies of Appeasement. Unfortunately, way too many of our fine young men have to give their lives in this struggle, but I'm willing to bet that they are in Heaven right now looking down on us willing us to keep the faith and finish the job so that their sacrifice wasn't for nought. Derek.