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THE WAR ON GLOBAL TERRORISM: CANADA’S ROLE
October 1st, 2001
By Jay Makarenko
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We felt a sense of absurdity as we saw
two airliners seemingly disappear into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre, engulfing the buildings in a massive ball of flame and smoke. We
felt a sense of shock and horror as we watched the once grand towers slide
into a sea of rubble, one floor at a time. We felt a sense of mourning as
we began to comprehend the unbearable truth that thousands of people met
their end on that day. Amid these senses of horror and grief, another
sentiment has risen in the United States: the sentiment for war.
In the wake of the events on September
11, 2001, the United States has placed itself on a battle footing, and has
declared that the first war of the 21st
century will be a war on global terrorism. The United States has already
begun to build international support for this war, as well as allies to
fight it. As one of the United States closest friends, Canada will be
expected to play some role in the coming years. However, this expectation
begs a provocative question: what kind of role will we play?
In answering this question, three
secondary issues need to be addressed. First, what is the nature of the
war itself? Second, what are Canada’s international obligations? Third,
what are our capabilities? In answering these questions, it becomes clear
that Canada will play a “secondary/support” role in the war on
terrorism. That is, while Canada will support and contribute to the war on
terrorism, its contribution will be limited in terms of size and scope.
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The War Against Global Terrorism
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