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WHAT’S WHAT
Timeline
Canada’s Military Contribution
Learn
More About the Canadian Navy Afghanistan Also known as the Islamic State of
Afghanistan, Afghanistan is located in southern |
Asia. It is north
and west of Pakistan, and east of Iran. Afghanistan is a landlocked
nation with a population of approximately 28 million.|
WHO’S WHO Osama bin Laden He is the alleged mastermind
behind the terrorist bombings on September 11, 2001. Osama bin Laden
has also been linked to the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing, attacks
on American embassies in Africa, and the bombing of an American
warship in the Persian Gulf. He is suspected to be hiding in
Afghanistan. The Taliban The Taliban are an Islamic
fundamentalist regime that came to power in Afghanistan following
the Soviet withdrawal in the 1980’s. The United States has
targeted the Taliban because of its sponsorship of global terrorism
and the regime’s refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden. In
response, the Taliban have declared an Islamic Holy War or Jihad
against the United States. The Northern Alliance The Northern Alliance is a rebel
group in Afghanistan that has been fighting the Taliban. The
Alliance has offered its partnership to the United States and the
international coalition against terrorism. The Anti-Terrorist Coalition The Coalition is spearheaded by the
United States, with NATO, Great Britain and other nations playing
important roles. The long-term objective of the Coalition is the end
of global terrorism and state sponsorship of terrorism. The
immediate objective of the Coalition is the capture of Osama bin
Laden and military action against the Taliban in Afghanistan. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) NATO is a multinational defence
organization that includes Canada, the United States, and many
countries in Europe. NATO was formed after World War II to defend
Europe from the Soviet Union. The United States has invoked Article
5 of the Washington Treaty, which obliges all members of NATO to
support the United States in its war on terrorism. North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) NORAD is a binational defence
organization that includes Canada and the United States. NORAD was
formed to monitor and defend North American airspace against attacks
from aircraft, missiles and space vehicles. Canada has recently
committed additional CF-18 fighter jets to NORAD.
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DEEPER STILL
What Is This War Against Terrorism? The war on terrorism will not be like other past wars. To begin, U.S. President George W. Bush has given the war a very broad objective, specifically, the eradication of global terrorism. This broad objective has two primary targets: (1) global terrorists and their organizations and (2) states that sponsor and provide safe haven to global terrorists. Examples of global terrorist organizations include Islamic extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and the International Islamic Jihad movement, and Palestinian groups such as Hamas. Examples of nations that sponsor terrorism are Sudan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and Afghanistan. Not only does the war on terrorism
have a broad objective, it will also have a very fluid nature. In
example, the “enemies” of this war will change over time.
Currently, the anti-terrorist coalition is focused upon Osama bin
Laden and the Taliban. However, new “bad guys” will appear as
the United States takes on different terrorist groups and nations
linked to terrorism. Furthermore, the anti-terrorist coalition
itself will change as the war progresses. The United States and
Britain will be joined by different nations at different times
depending upon the particular enemies and needs of the war. Finally,
the strategies and instruments that the anti-terrorist coalition
will use will change from circumstance to circumstance. Currently,
the coalition is using military force against the Taliban. In other
instances, the coalition may use sanctions, the freezing of assets,
or criminal prosecution to achieve its goals. Can Canada Contribute More to the War Against Terrorism? It is unlikely the Canada’s military contribution to the war on terrorism will grow much larger than Operation Apollo. Military spending in Canada has been cut over the last ten years. This has resulted in a shortage of trained personnel in the Army, Navy and Air Force. To contribute additional troops to the war on terrorism, Canada would have to take necessary personnel away from other important duties (i.e. peacekeeping). Furthermore, the Canadian Armed Forces has not been able to buy new equipment over the last decade. As such, Canada does not have much more to offer to the United States and the anti-terrorist coalition. However, Canada will be able to
provide additional “behind the scenes” support for the war
against terrorism. Canada is well respected in the international
community, and is able to influence many international organizations
such as NATO, the G-8, the Commonwealth and La Francophonie. Canada
will also continue to work closely with the United States and other
nations in intelligence gathering and analysis.
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IN-QUIZ-ITION
Is This True? Answer true or false to the following questions.
What’s the Word? Define the following words and use them in a sentence.
Let’s Play! Which of the following support international military action in Afghanistan and which do not?
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LET’S TALK
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Spotlight #1 Canada Joins the Battle
Is This True?
What's the Word?
Lets Play! Do Support
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