Quote:
Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis
So you're saying the Americans and their "Coalition of the willing" didn't want Canada's assistance, but did accept assistance from countries such as El Salvador, Estonia and Moldova? I agree our military was already stretched thin in Afghanistan, but the Americans would take any "willing" country it seems. Simply put Chretien, and every other smart country in the world, didn't want to go without UN approval. As it turns out, pretty brilliant call on that one. Imagine how much worse our country might be with the lives and dollars that would have been wasted there.
|
Canada's military at the time couldn't evern properly coordinate and communicate with the U.S. ground forces, they frankly didn't want any of the sharp end of the stick being made up of Canadian troops. We were pretty firmly rebuffed about that in a military to military meeting.
The UN approval thing was partially a smoke screen by Chretien to save face. Instead we contributed naval elements and key high officers integrated into their command structure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis
Stephen Harper, as evidence from his comments at the UN this year, will gladly fight for Israel, but obviously only if America is there to do most of the heavy lifting. It would indeed be political dangerous (likely suicidal) to go to war with Iran, but at some point Harper will use his majority to make an unpopular decision. Something tells me a Romney victory means this will be that unpopular decision. Romney has 20 or more Bush administration advisors working for him. If it looks like the GWB foreign policy, and it sounds like the GWB foreign policy, well....
|
Good, I'm fine with Harper saying that he would fight for Israel, I don't know what we could really add beyond planes and logistical transport planes.
If Israel is actually attacked by Iran then go fight for them they are an ally. Beyond that didn't Harper also state that he was more interested in a diplomatic solution through global pressure on Iran. He didn't stand up and make a war hawk speech.