Sanjay Palat - Canadians extend Afghan mission

I : BBC News
"Canadians extend Afghan mission"
March 13, 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7294800.stm

II:
This article, printed by BBC, is about the the decision by the Canadian Parliament to extend the mission in Afghanistan, fighting Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, as part of the coalition that invaded the country in 2001, until 2011. The vote was agreed on by the two major parliamentary factions, the Conservatives and the Liberals, although it hinges upon increased NATO Support of the war in Afghanistan. If NATO and other allies fail to increase support, however, Canada may be able to withdraw its 2,500 troops as early as next year.

III:

1. I believe that the AP Theme that fits this topic the best would be "State building, expansion, and conflict." I believe this because this article is mainly about the conflict in Afghanistan, and the nation of Canada is currently deciding whether or not it is in their best interests to continue a conflict in Afghanistan, with such a decision potentially influencing policy and relations with many groups and nations throughout the world.

2. Afghanistan has been a nation that has been shaped by its numerous invasions, with early invaders including the British. In 1979, Afghanistan was thrown into the heat of the Cold War, when it was invaded by the USSR, and was covertly supported by the US. After repelling the Soviets, however, the guerrilla rebels, or the Mujahideen, fought with themselves, trying to gain control of the nation, with a faction called the Taliban eventually emerging. The Taliban Islamicized the state, and turned Afghanistan into a breeding ground for fundamentalism. On September 11, 2001, a group based in Afghanistan, known as Al-Qaeda attacked the United States, killing approximately 3,000 people, and causing a coalition of nations, led by the US, to attack Afghanistan. The Taliban have since been displaced, although there is still insurgent activity present in Afghanistan.

3. This article was written by a British writer, who may be biased by the fact that Britain has been a staunch supporter of the Wars on Terrorism, and may personally believe in the war in Afghanistan.

4. The author does not seem to show any particular bias towards either side, as he does not seem to write any words showing any personal beliefs.

5. I think the article would have been more complete had it talked to leaders from other members of the coalition, or Canadian MP's who were against the war, and may have been able to explain the reason that many Canadians opposed the war and the bill. It also would have been beneficial to hear from an actual soldier on the frontlines, who could tell us about the actual progress being made.

6. Although I think that, unlike the War in Iraq, the War in Afghanistan was just in its beginnings, and that the coalition needed to remove fundamentalism and the Taliban from Afghanistan, I believe that nations need to begin about the future, and cannot be willing to stay as an occupying force in another country. Although I do believe that the war was just, I think that it is time to begin thinking about leaving control to the Afghans.