Canada Afghanistan-Iraq

[theoldyoungguy]

i was just discussing this with a bunch of friends. do u think canadas deployments in afghanistan are there for the relief of american forces to be freed up to go to iraq, or do u think that we are in afghanistan to help the afghanis, or is it a mixture of both? and if it is to free up americans for iraq would that be such a big crime after considering the war on terror as a whole. what are ur guys opinions on this and why

 

[medicineman]

To answer the questions at the beginning - in short, yes.  The ISAF agreement oddly was negotiated just before GW2...coincidence?  I think not.

Just my 2 pennies though.

MM

 

[Chimo]

i was just discussing this with a bunch of friends. do u think Canada's deployments in Afghanistan are there for the relief of American forces to be freed up to go to iraq, or do u think that we are in afghanistan to help the afghanis, or is it a mixture of both? and if it is to free up americans for iraq would that be such a big crime after considering the war on terror as a whole. what are ur guys opinions on this and why

Firstly, we as Canadians have been at war against terror ever since Sept 11, 2001. So I'm not sure of your point there. As far as "freeing up American Troops" I am expecting the situation in Afghanistan to deteriorate over the next few months as a prelude and attempted power shift prior to the fall elections. Of course, my crystal ball of predictions has been foggy before.

It is no secret that the American Army in particular is stretched. However, with their transformation they will be increasing from 33 Brigade Combat Teams to, i believe, 48 BCTs over the next several years, I think they are around 40 BCTs now. This will provide some relief to the back to back tour problem now.

I think Canada is duty bound to provide the support it can on the GWOT. It makes sense to concentrate our Forces in one area then between two theatres.

 

[48Highlander]

We're in Afghanistan because it's the right thing to do.  Just like Iraq, it's an area which needs a heavy presence of troops in order to keep it from detereorating, and to assist in rebuilding the country.  How it got that way is, at this point, unimportant.  Wether you supported the war in Afghanistan OR the war in Iraq, no rational human being can beleive that pulling out all troops would benefit either country.  Tell your buddies that it doesn't matter where we are, both countries are going through the same proccess right now, and who's deployed where is immaterial.