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Peacekeeping, and the World Order |
Canada's Future as a Peacekeeper
Peacekeeping and the future of Canada’s international role
Canada’s involvement in international peacekeeping operations is not only compromised
by the changing nature of the international order, but by its own ability to contribute.
Defence budget cutbacks have limited Canada’s capacity (see mapleleafweb.com’s military
feature for more information) to the extent that a Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence has recommended that Canada immediately withdraw all Canadian
troops abroad, and cease all overseas activities for 30 months. To view the report
go here.
Moreover, the nature of peacekeeping operations has become more complex over the years.
With increasing incidents of violent (often genocidal), low-tech civil wars with unconventional
combatants, it is no longer a matter of simply standing between two armies.
So far, the Canadian government’s position on the Iraqi invasion has stayed its longstanding
multilateral approach to international affairs. Additionally, Canada has already committed
$100 million to humanitarian assistance in Iraq – again consistent with Canada’s emphasis
on ‘human security,’ development, and peace building. Despite current fears that the
United States will somehow reprimand Canada for its stance on the Iraq war, there will
no doubt be a need for Canadian-style reconstruction efforts in the war’s aftermath.
In addition, such fears of US reprisal should be mollified by the fact that when it
comes to opposition to the war, Canada – with its tempered disapproval – is merely a
footnote in the US’s proverbial ‘bad books.’
Nevertheless, Canada’s role in the international realm will have to reshape as the
United Nations’ position either dwindles or is reinforced. This will also mean a shift
in role of those blue helmeted peacekeepers.
What do you think?
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