[Akhenaten]

bootlegga bootlegga:

I'm sure Canada will still be in Afghanistan after 2011, but the size and scope of the force will be much smaller.

My guess is we'll continue training Afghan police and army units, maintain our air wing, and have a PRT or two, backed up by a company of troops. The old Leo 1s will be given to the Afghans as a farewell present. Call it 1,000 troops max, but maybe as few as 500.

This is what I think will happen. Naturally I think you're being very astute here.

[Guy_Fawkes]

Personally I see the military staying longer in a combat roll if the Libs are voted in, a new PM and a new Defence Minister would more the likely see to that. I could be wrong though, in any case the CF has done its part with what little we have. In 2011 its time to GTFO.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:

Eventually its going to get to the point where the CF will just fall apart because of extension after extension. The CF needs a break, and really the average person doesn’t give a shit. The only ones whom feel the stress are the military members; it’s going to be impossible soon to keep up with the attrition.

Very true and an excellent point.

[ridenrain]

Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:

Personally I see the military staying longer in a combat roll if the Libs are voted in, a new PM and a new Defence Minister would more the likely see to that. I could be wrong though, in any case the CF has done its part with what little we have. In 2011 its time to GTFO.

What do you base that on? The Liberals who voted for the extension are gone and the people Dion surrounded himself with were quite against it. I admit that Iggy is probably for it but I'm guessing his mind will be changed when he see's the poll numbers.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/story.html?id=1794415

[KorbenDeck]

I see leaving before the job is done as being a coward.

[DrCaleb]

KorbenDeck KorbenDeck:

I see leaving before the job is done as being a coward.

So, how is Afghanistan this time of the year?

[Guy_Fawkes]

ridenrain ridenrain:

Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:

Personally I see the military staying longer in a combat roll if the Libs are voted in, a new PM and a new Defence Minister would more the likely see to that. I could be wrong though, in any case the CF has done its part with what little we have. In 2011 its time to GTFO.

What do you base that on? The Liberals who voted for the extension are gone and the people Dion surrounded himself with were quite against it. I admit that Iggy is probably for it but I'm guessing his mind will be changed when he see's the poll numbers.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/story.html?id=1794415

Harper and the Cons have a promise to hold (its not like they havent broken any regarding the military...), and McKay knows how the military is sitting at the moment. Put in a new PM and a fresh Minister of Defence and the problems that are already there could become fuzzy. Iggy will have so much more on his plate that it would be easy to give lip service to Afghanistan until he can make a big show of getting out like Obama did.

But hey, if I were giving odds on staying I would say libs 7:5 cons 2:1, either way I think the chances of the combat roll being exstended are high.

[Guy_Fawkes]

KorbenDeck KorbenDeck:

I see leaving before the job is done as being a coward.

Care to elaborate?

[ridenrain]

Guy_Fawkes: So your saying that the inertia of the whole thing is going to keep pushing it along for a while?

[Canadian_Mind]

KorbenDeck KorbenDeck:

I see leaving before the job is done as being a coward.

So did I until I joined the military. The generals aren't lying when they say the establishment is tired and worn out.

There is being a coward, then there is inability to operate.

[Bodah]

If other nations dont start pulling their weight as they agreed to, I have no problem with Canada switching roles in that theatre.

[Guy_Fawkes]

ridenrain ridenrain:

Guy_Fawkes: So your saying that the inertia of the whole thing is going to keep pushing it along for a while?

Yup, and with the Americans and NATO pushing the Canadian Military to stay, whom ever gives in will earn brownie points with the Americans (for the most part the other NATO countries dont seem to care). Either way Canadian soliders have become a valueable political card, something I dont think either government wants to 'waste' by ending Canada's role in the fighting.

[putz]

ridenrain ridenrain:

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

$1:

Correction.... they were sent over because of our agreements with being a part of NATO, which was ordered to go.... thus we went.

Not quite. We made the offer to go before NATO had even sat down to talk about it.....back in the days when approval for sending troops was at 67% (positively bloodthirsty for Canada). Granted your rational is correct in terms of the excuse (the alliance), but to say we were 'ordered' to go is incorrect imo. We were chomping at the bit to go.

Where do you get those details? I believe that 93.7% of the readers here are sure that you yanked those numbers out of your ass.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/07/15/ekos-afghanistan-mission-support015.html?ref=rss

$1:

When Canada first sent soldiers to Afghanistan in 2002, public opposition to the mission hovered around 20 per cent, according to EKOS tracking data.

That would put public support for the mission hovering around 60% in 2002.

Guy_Fawkes I would seriously hope that you would do everyone in the CF a favor. If your still in (if you were or not pretty sure you are) get out.... time has made you bitter and jaded and maybe its time to re-think your career. I just call it as I see it. This day and age the last thing we need is soldiers tromping around with the attitudes of Go home, lets go. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I don't know your personal experiences but something has obviously jaded you towards the CF, as every post seems to always be geared towards negativity towards the CF.

The CF is able to continue to operate in Afghanistan past 2011, if need be. It would be in reduced numbers and equipment (as you reduce the men you need as much equipment), and a change in the mission mandate. I can see it happening, hell media seems to be reporting more and more everyday about the options of not doing a complete pull out in 2011. Remember one thing, political parties adjust their thinking and planning as often as the weather changes here in Alberta. Until that last chalk has left A-stan in 2011 I'm not holding my breath.

[KorbenDeck]

Canadian_Mind Canadian_Mind:

KorbenDeck KorbenDeck:

I see leaving before the job is done as being a coward.

So did I until I joined the military. The generals aren't lying when they say the establishment is tired and worn out.

There is being a coward, then there is inability to operate.

Oh I am not saying the military is being a coward, I am saying most Canadians are cowards. Everyone supported the mission in the beginning, then the moment things started getting tough people who supported the mission suddenly wanted Canada out. Canada is leaving Afghanistan for political reasons, not because the CF needs a break.

I have the utmost respect for our Canadian Forces, many of my friends are in the CF. Just tiring how many people jump ship at the first sign things could get rough.

[ridenrain]

Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:

ridenrain ridenrain:

Guy_Fawkes: So your saying that the inertia of the whole thing is going to keep pushing it along for a while?

Yup, and with the Americans and NATO pushing the Canadian Military to stay, whom ever gives in will earn brownie points with the Americans (for the most part the other NATO countries dont seem to care). Either way Canadian soliders have become a valueable political card, something I dont think either government wants to 'waste' by ending Canada's role in the fighting.

Maybe but after 2011, every casualty is going to be one that the other parties will say could be avoided.