Canada`s Role in Afghanistan - K

Connecting History Classrooms to Canada:
Canada’s Role in Afghanistan
By Tina Storer and Joshua Tataran
Center for Canadian-American Studies – Western Washington University
I have had the honor of writing this column for members of NCHE for the last few years. This
year, I asked Josh, a freshman student and office assistant who learned little about Canada
while in high school, what he wished he knew more about now. Without
hesitation, he wanted to know more about Canada’s role in the Middle
East, so I promptly recommended he begin research for this article on
Canada’s role in Afghanistan. The following information and resource
references were provided by Josh; we both hope this example
encourages you to similarly ask your own students to explore
connections to Canada. They might consider other 20th Century military
actions when Canada and the US were allies (e.g. WWI, WWII, Korean
War) or perhaps when they were not (e.g. Viet Nam, the status of Cuba,
and the Iraqi War).
Canada has been an important military ally to the US since WWI and this partnership continued
throughout the Cold War through joint involvement in both NORAD and NATO. A high volume of
trade and migration between the US and Canada has generated even closer ties between our
two countries since then. The 5,525-mile border that we share compels us to partner in the
perimeter security of North America; a number of initiatives are currently in place in that
regard… but what about Canada’s role in the Middle East?
Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan is little reported by mainstream
media in the US. The truth is, however, that both the US and Canada
have been involved in Afghanistan for quite some time and for various
reasons. Prior to 2001, Canadian relations with Afghanistan were
largely based on providing humanitarian aid and supporting resistance
against invading Soviet troops. After the September 11, 2001 attacks
on the US, however, our two countries began a joint effort to bring
down the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.1, 2
In October 2001, Canada contributed land, sea, and air forces to support the US and United
Kingdom-led “Operation Enduring Freedom”, which attacked Al-Qaeda (the terrorist network in
Afghanistan) and brought down the Taliban regime (which supported Al-Qaeda). In less than
three months, the Taliban were ousted from power and an interim government established,
becoming official on December 22nd, 2001. This process was made possible by the creation of
an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), authorized by the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC). Both Canada and the US then re-established diplomatic relations with
Afghanistan and began the long process of rebuilding the country.1, 2
From 2002 to 2003, both the US and Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan turned back to
providing humanitarian aid and helping with development.
Then, in the summer of 2003, Canadian soldiers took their turn as
part of the ISAF team (also known as UN Coalition Forces), to
provide military security for those working in Kabul. These
Canadian soldiers risked their lives to maintain security around the
capital so that American and other NATO forces could accomplish
their own tasks of rebuilding Afghanistan’s government.1, 3
Since 2002, a total of 158 Canadian Forces personnel have been killed in the war and, not
surprisingly, it was little reported in the US that the first four Canadian casualties were the result
of friendly fire from a US warplane. [To learn more about the “Tarnak Farm” incident, see
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/friendlyfire]. The incident initiated controversy within
Canada about its involvement in the Middle East and its status as a peacekeeping nation—
especially when Canada later experienced its own military blunders with civilian casualties.
Two years later, Canadian soldiers were deployed again, this time in
the dangerous Kandahar region (a province in Southern
Afghanistan). This area is notorious for susceptibility to attacks from
insurgents. Canada, in charge of the Kandahar Provincial
Reconstruction Team (KPRT), worked side-by-side with the US to
clear the area of terrorism and assist with the development and
distribution of aid until 2010, when the US took over all military
operations. Canadian forces still remained in the region after 2010, in order to complete three
signature projects started in 2008: 1) to rehabilitate the Dahla Dam and its irrigation system in
the province of Kandahar; 2) build and repair 50 schools and train 3000 teachers in the
province; 3) assist a national effort to eradicate polio.1, 3, 4
The six priorities for Canada in Afghanistan are outlined below and more details can be found
via hyperlinks http://tinyurl.com/b2sdqpa when you scroll down to 2008 on the timeline and are
also detailed in “Reports to Parliament” at http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canadaafghanistan/documents/qr-rt.aspx?lang=eng&view=d.
1. Maintain a more secure environment and establish law and order by building the capacity
of the Afghan National Army and Police, and support complementary efforts in the areas
of justice and corrections.
2. Provide jobs, education and essential services, like water.
3. Provide humanitarian assistance to people in need,
including refugees.
4. Enhance the management and security of the
Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
5. Build Afghan institutions that are central to our Kandahar
priorities and support democratic processes such as
Afghanistan-­‐Pakistan Border elections.
6. Contribute to Afghan-led political reconciliation efforts aimed at weakening insurgency
and fostering sustainable peace.
In July, 2011, Canada began the transition to non-combat support in Afghanistan, finally pulling
out the last of its troops over a year ago, on December 15, 2011. Canada has announced plans
to pull out of Afghanistan completely by 2014, and has revealed its non-combat plans for the
2011-2014 period. Some of the plans below are similar to the six priorities listed above, but it is
important to note that these new plans are based out of Kabul, since the US is now responsible
for the Kandahar region. Learn more at http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canadaafghanistan/approach-approche/index.aspx?lang=eng&view=d.
1. Investing in the future of Afghan children and youth
through development programming in education and
health, and improving the lives of Afghans, especially
women and children.
2. Advancing security, the rule of law and human rights,
including the provision of up to 950 military trainers, their support personnel and
approximately 45 Canadian civilian police to support and train Afghan National Security
Forces.
3. Promoting regional diplomacy.
4. Helping to deliver humanitarian assistance.
Without the support of Canadians in Afghanistan, the US would not have been able to carry out
“Operation Enduring Freedom.” The lives of American diplomats working with the Kabul Interim
Government were protected by the Canadian soldiers who were a part of the ISAF, and
Americans in the dangerous Kandahar region were able to rely on their Canadian allies for
protection. Finally, Canada accomplished many goals in Afghanistan that complemented
American efforts. The reliance has grown to such an extent that the US has repeatedly called
upon Canada to remain in Afghanistan.
The following news reports display both American interest in Canadian support but also the
controversy in Canada about maintaining a military profile in Afghanistan now that the US killed
bin Laden. Even in the US, support for staying in Afghanistan has waned; however, that debate
is perhaps best left for another article, a classroom activity, or our political leaders to consider
more fully.
•
•
•
•
•
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2010/03/29/clinton-canada-afghanistan.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/its-official-us-wantscanada-to-stay-in-afghanistan/article1366419/
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/04/22/canada.afghanistan/index.html
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/905772--last-of-a-dying-breed-the-canadianpeacekeeper
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/opinion/columnists/110609/afghanistan-warwithdrawal
References:
1. Canada. Canadian International Development Agency. History of Canada's Engagement in
Afghanistan. Government of Canada, 7 June 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/progress-progres/timelinechrono.aspx?lang=eng>.
2. United States of America. U.S. Department of State. Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public
Affairs. A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular
Relations, by Country, since 1776: Afghanistan. United States of America, n.d. Web. 30
Nov. 2012. <http://history.state.gov/countries/afghanistan>.
3. Canada. Veterans Affairs Canada. The Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. Government of
Canada, 22 June 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/history/canadianforces/factsheets/afghanistan>.
4. Canada. Canadian International Development Agency. Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction
Team. Government of Canada, 1 Feb. 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/kandahar/kprt-eprk.aspx?view=d>.
NB:
The Canadian International Development Agency website at http://www.acdicida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/JUD-129153625-S6T also provides an excellent
overview of Canada’s role in Afghanistan. Following the left-side tabs of this web page, provides
even more information about the role of Canada in Afghanistan. The many videos and podcasts
provided on the Government of Canada’s website at http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canadaafghanistan/multimedia/library-bibliotheque.aspx?lang=eng&view=d are recommended as they
are short, easily absorbed, and informative.