A senior Canadian defense official said that training of Afghan security forces
is on the agenda for a meeting in Canada, adding that the need for financing for
the effort has risen.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates popped into Ottawa today (Friday) for a quick meeting with his underlings in NATO.
He's looking for 17 billion dollars or so in additional financing to help bring the Afghan armed forces up to their stated goal of 134,000 soldiers.
- Mr. Gates who- by all accounts – is a civilised man in an uncivilised administration is a lame-duck.
- His NATO counterparts are for the most part strapped for cash.
- The war is unpopular everywhere.
- NATO puppet-in-chief Karzai has been pursuing "freelance diplomacy" with the Taliban, who after 7 years of this conflict, have shown little interest in giving up the fight.
In other words, Afghanistan strategy is in tatters.
The meeting, which takes place at Cornwallis in the Canadian province of Ontario, will accomplish what these NATO meetings have accomplished over the years, which is not much. (The difference this time is that at long last civilian politicians have seized the "initiative" from their military commanders).
Still it's a chance for NATO functionaries to enjoy a good meal or two, drink some Canadian beer and exchange pleasantries while our soldiers continue to face death in the Afghan wilds.
The one positive development one can hope for out of the meeting is a move toward a more political approach to the Afghan conundrum.
We're not holding our breath.
