The Afghan Daily Digest

Pundits continue to weigh in on Stephen Harper's decision to keep Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan until 2014 to train Afghan security forces.

Even though Stephen Harper recently announced the third extension of the Afghan mission, the Globe and Mail’s John Ibbitson can see the light at the end of the tunnel at last, writing “it is finally possible to envision the day when NATO forces leave Afghanistan. That day is not soon. But at least it can be imagined.” Harper really, really means it this time.

The National Post puts forth a new argument for why Canada should remain part of NATO’s Afghan mission until 2014. As the U.S. deficit balloons, Americans increasingly favour isolationism, which would be bad for Canada. The NATO mission could show Americans that they still have stalwart international allies and entice the U.S. to stay on the global scene. “By leaving,” says the Post, “we'd be reinforcing the isolationist narrative of an America that stands apart from the world community.” The Post’s argument is akin to saying someone needs to take the old man next door out for a walk every once and a while, or he might start talking to the furniture. It’s a good idea, but one gets the impression that if crazy old Uncle Sam is really determined to retreat into his addled mind, there’s not much any outsider can do.

What Afghans need are jobs, not guns, argues the Halifax Chronicle Herald’s Scott Taylor. “They need doctors, teachers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, even competent vehicle drivers” to construct a livable society, he says. “Harper could have announced the establishment of a vocational school staffed by a corps of well-remunerated recruits from the Afghan-Canadian diaspora,” but instead he announced more war.

In the Ottawa Citizen, Colin Kenny writes that Harper was facing an impossible decision, a common occurrence in foreign affairs. “Do we sacrifice more young lives in a cause that has ceased to make sense to many Canadians? Or do we let down our most important ally?” asks Kenny. There’s no easy answer, but Kenny maintains that if Canadian troops are going to effectively train Afgan soldiers, they need to do so “outside the wire,” which means risking their lives. Again.