The New Nation - Internet Edition

Saqib Khan

Do the policy makers in Canada have a thorough knowledge of the culture and the history of Afghanistan?

Politically, Afghanistan still operates under a feudalistic system and has been continuously fighting wars not only among various internal factions, but also against foreign occupation forces from Alexander the Great to the present American-led "Coalition of the Willing." Culturally, the country is still most influenced by regional and solidly traditional tribal affiliations. It may seem primitive to us in the West, but Afghanis are basically satisfied with their way of living.

According to Afghan tribal culture, if someone provides you with shelter, regardless of who you are, and even if you are a criminal, they will protect you with their own life if necessary. Also in Afghan tribal culture, blood feuds have no limit. These are important factors to remember when becoming involved in the affairs of a culture that has so little resemblance to Western ways, especially those of America.

Canada acquired a strong peacekeeping reputation after the Korean conflict of the 1950s. The original goal of Canada's mission in Afghanistan was solely for peacekeeping to ensure the security of the capital city, Kabul. But Canada's role has been altered to bolster the over-extended American military. It has taken on an active offensive combat role to root out insurgent resistance, hoping to diminish the extent of a Taliban comeback. But so far, Canada has not been successful militarily according to the facts on the ground. Canadian troops are learning the hard way that armed occupation is not an appropriate means of pacification or to bring about positive change. America's failure in Vietnam and the Russians hasty retreat from Afghanistan clearly demonstrated the fact that you can kill people, but you cannot kill an ideology.

Once again the casualties of war are mostly those of the innocent; women, children and the elderly. Canadian losses, while painful, are minuscule compared to "collateral" civilian losses in Afghanistan. We grieve for our beloved ones in Canada, but who is grieving for unfortunate Afghanis caught in the crossfire?

Canada's budget for the Afghanistan operation has now been exceeded and taxpayers will eventually have to pick up the cost. This money could be better used at home to feed and house our poor and improve social services. Unfortunately, we are not willing to send professionals to help Afghanis reach a higher standard of living; we are not willing to send them needed food and medical supplies; we are not willing to help them rebuild their roads, hospitals and schools.

The Afghan people may fear Canada and other Western troops because of our firepower, but in the end they dislike us because we are just another invading army that must be resisted in one form or another.

American society seems to be suffering from mass depression, brought about by unjustifiable wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and its failed "revenge" for 9/11. There was no Al-Qaeda, and no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But Americans continue to pay for two inconclusive wars with too many lost lives and deficit financing. Will Canada follow suit? Perhaps those who voted enthusiastically to support the war effort, never gave it full consideration before putting up their hands to shout "aye".

For those who remember, Rwanda was a shameful disaster for Canadian foreign policy. It seems Afghanistan could be next.

(Saqib Khan lives in Vancouver, BC. This article was edited for the Canadian Islamic Congress Friday Magazine.)