As a follow up to an entry posted a few days ago, an article of note from the New York Times entitled - C.I.A. Outlines Pakistan Links With Militants… “The C.I.A. emissary presented evidence showing that members of the spy service had deepened their ties with some militant groups that were responsible for a surge of violence in Afghanistan, possibly including the suicide bombing this month of the Indian Embassy in Kabul, the officials said. The decision to confront Pakistan with what the officials described as a ...More »

According to Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson, Canada may be expanding its role in Afghanistan from 2,500 members of the Canadian Armed Forces to 2,700. The additional 200 troops would, according to Emerson, be deployed to service six Chinook helicopters that are destined for the theatre as well as unmanned aerial drones. The majority of the Canadian contingent of ISAF is stationed in the southern Province of Kandahar where they have suffered one of the worst casualty rates of the conflict. That is a ...More »

If you’re labouring under the misconception that the Bush Administration is going to leave office without first confronting the Iranians, it’s time to start paying serious attention. The propaganda machine is in full swing, led by a new report by the State Department that labels Iran the most active sponsor of terrorism. If you can believe it, the Sudanese government actually ranked lower despite the fact that it has been complicit in supporting the Janjiweed who have been responsible for a genocidal campaign in Darfur. ...More »

As a follow up to an entry I posted the other day, this AP report is of considerable significance… “An opposition group says its leaders, including a former president, have been meeting with the Taliban and other anti-government groups in hopes of negotiating an end to rising violence in Afghanistan. The contacts have taken place between leaders of the opposition National Front and "high level" militant leaders during the last few months, party spokesman Sayyid Agha Hussain Fazel Sancharaki said in an interview Sunday. He said among those ...More »

With regards to Pat’s entry below this, I must admit that I will be happy to see Hillier go. Of course, Pat has far more direct experience regarding matters to do with the Canadian Armed forces, being that he is a retired Captain, served two tours in Afghanistan, and also served in the Balkans. That being the case, his insights are of import, and you should definitely read his latest entry. My personal feelings on the matter have to do with two of what I feel ...More »

The return of the Saturday morning hangover post - or as might be the case, a bad case of food poisoning post. America truly is cursed isn't it? First Bush, then the recession, and now this. No Matthew Good. If I were in Texas missing the show I'd be so sad I'd throw away at least three of my guns. And enter the wrath of the two Texan readers of my posts. In any case it's a beautiful day in the city of Toronto - as ...More »

First, just to draw attention to it, Lydia Polgreen focuses on recent events in Darfur in today’s edition of the New York Times. Unfortunately, and as one might expect, the news isn’t good. That out of the way, the Canadian military has resumed the transfer of detainees to Afghan authorities. In a statement made by Lt.-Col. Grant Dame, the military will be “exercising discretion” during each transfer to ensure that prisoners are not placed in situations where they will be abused. The reasoning behind this is ...More »

Sometimes you’re just at a loss for words. Today, 80 people were killed in the city of Kandahar by a suicide bomb. The Taliban is suspected to be behind the attack. Those killed were part of a large crowd who were watching dog fights, a popular pastime in Afghanistan. The Taliban regime was once responsible for having women accused of adultery crushed by tanks in Kabul’s football stadium. The Taliban outlawed dog fighting while they were in power. Now. How utterly bizarre is ...More »

After years of cataloguing and commenting on world events on this website, I must admit that it has become somewhat of a chore. Obviously, my personal beliefs remain unaltered, but as the years have passed I have found myself suffering from a bizarre form of self induced anxiety because I feel that I’m unable to grant a myriad of subjects the attention that I feel they deserve, and in a manner that reflects their seriousness by providing the sort of attention to them that simply ...More »

In today’s Toronto Star, Eric Margolis makes some interesting points about the recent Manley Report. His first criticism I found to be particularly well put… “The report on Afghanistan delivered Monday by the Manley panel was deeply disappointing. Its totally predictable findings could have been written without the panel of instant Afghan experts wasting millions of tax dollars.” Margolis’ assertion in that paragraph should not be overlooked, no matter your position on Canada’s role in Afghanistan. The report, despite its goals, produced very little in the way ...More »