You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Afghanistan
'NATO may follow if Canada exits Afghanistan'
2008-02-27
CanadaÂ’s defence minister urged parliament on Monday to keep its 2,500 troops in Afghanistan until 2011, warning that an earlier withdrawal could lead its NATO allies to abandon the shaky nation too.
At which point NATO can just fold its tent and go quietly into that good night, an organization whose time has gone.
“This is perhaps the most important debate facing our parliament and our nation today,” Defence Minister Peter MacKay said at the start of a parliamentary debate on whether to extend the military mission or exit. “The consequences of pulling Canada’s military out of Afghanistan could have a far-reaching effect or a domino effect on others,” he said. “If we were to pack up and leave Afghanistan, why wouldn’t other nations follow suit?” “How would history judge us if Canada walked away from Afghanistan?”
Posted by:Fred

#5  How about one (1.0) visit from SAC, Ed?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2008-02-27 13:19  

#4  I disagree with the need for large Western forces, 1/2 of which do very little anyway. The majority would like nothing more than to beat down the Pashtoons. We can make it worthwhile for them to do it at 1/10th what we are currently spending.
Posted by: ed   2008-02-27 13:13  

#3  Other than a few air hubs, the US should pull out of Europe, particularly the Balkans. Not our problem. Our forces are hard put to man the places where we need to be, no point being where we are not needed. See what the value of the Euro will do once the predators realize that Europe is basically defenseless.
Posted by: RWV   2008-02-27 13:07  

#2  Afghanistan is a lost cause. Precisely because NATO can't/won't step up to the plate.
Posted by: phil_b   2008-02-27 07:46  

#1  NATO will need its resources in the Balkan to protect the European Islamic Republic of Kosovo.
Posted by: Jusoling Bonaparte7126   2008-02-27 07:10  

00:00