Canada fights 'holistic war' in Afghanistan
By Gary Ostofi The Hamilton Spectator (Feb 5, 2007)
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Get over it. Canada no longer is a peacekeeper.
I know many Canadians like to point to our past accomplishments in peacekeeping, but that has come to an end. We have thrust ourselves on to the world stage by fighting a "holistic war" -- which is not to be confused with a holy war -- in Afghanistan.
Just what is a "holistic war"?
It is a war fought using all the tools you can muster -- militarily, diplomatically and with the civilians in mind.
I recently attended a round-table discussion with Brigadier-General David Fraser, the most recent commander of Canadian troops in southern Afghanistan.
Fraser said that when he went into battle there was a gun in one hand and money in the other. Fraser and the soldiers under his command were fighting the Taliban -- a vile, dastardly and venomous group. They are not the Afghan people as a whole. He went after the "snake" and asked the Afghans to help.
Why would Fraser think that the Afghans would help? The Taliban are from their communities and appear to be like them. They bombard the Afghans with rhetoric that sends a message of fear about foreign invaders. If the Afghan people do not buy that message, they use fear, threats and murder to gain compliance.
Afghans are a tribal and warrior society. They are, for the most part, illiterate. As a people, they are tough, resilient and loyal to their tribe. Afghans want to make their own decisions in their own context. Outsiders, be they Taliban or foreigners, are judged on results.
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By Gary Ostofi The Hamilton Spectator (Feb 5, 2007)
Article Link
Get over it. Canada no longer is a peacekeeper.
I know many Canadians like to point to our past accomplishments in peacekeeping, but that has come to an end. We have thrust ourselves on to the world stage by fighting a "holistic war" -- which is not to be confused with a holy war -- in Afghanistan.
Just what is a "holistic war"?
It is a war fought using all the tools you can muster -- militarily, diplomatically and with the civilians in mind.
I recently attended a round-table discussion with Brigadier-General David Fraser, the most recent commander of Canadian troops in southern Afghanistan.
Fraser said that when he went into battle there was a gun in one hand and money in the other. Fraser and the soldiers under his command were fighting the Taliban -- a vile, dastardly and venomous group. They are not the Afghan people as a whole. He went after the "snake" and asked the Afghans to help.
Why would Fraser think that the Afghans would help? The Taliban are from their communities and appear to be like them. They bombard the Afghans with rhetoric that sends a message of fear about foreign invaders. If the Afghan people do not buy that message, they use fear, threats and murder to gain compliance.
Afghans are a tribal and warrior society. They are, for the most part, illiterate. As a people, they are tough, resilient and loyal to their tribe. Afghans want to make their own decisions in their own context. Outsiders, be they Taliban or foreigners, are judged on results.
More on link
