Editorial: Participation in military strikes against Islamic State is Canada's duty
Allison Hanes, Montreal Gazette 10.05.2014
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, right, andIraqi Deputy Minister Rowsch Nouri Sharways look at the ISIS positions from a front line bunker Thursday, September 4, 2014 in Kalak, Iraq. Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press
It is with little enthusiasm and an overwhelming sense of duty that Canada will join its allies in airstrikes to contain the cancerous spread of Islamic State, which in a few short months has seized a broad swath of northern Iraq and Syria.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday outlined Canada’s military contribution to the international mission: six CF18 fighter jets, two surveillance aircraft, a refuelling plane and 600 personnel – but no ground troops. The mission is to last six months and focus on Iraq, where the government has requested assistance and not, for the moment, Syria, where there is a risk of propping up isolated dictator Bashar al-Assad. The New Democratic Party and the Liberals voiced their opposition during debate in the House of Commons on Monday, raising valid questions about the end game for the operation and warning of the considerable perils.
But no matter how reluctant this war-weary nation may be after a long, costly engagement in Afghanistan, nor how proud we are of our decision to say no to George W. Bush’s 2003 invasion of Iraq, Canada cannot – and should not – avoid assuming its international responsibilities in the battle against IS.
Canada has a moral imperative to act. The United Nations has documented unspeakable atrocities committed by jihadists, including beheadings, crucifixions, torture, mass killings, the enslavement of children and systematic rape.It is estimated that up to 130 of the foreign fighters in Islamic State’s ranks hail from Canada. These crimes against humanity must first be curbed, then documented and prosecuted by the international community. Canada must do its part.
Canadian self interest is also at stake. Canadians have been explicitly threatened by Islamic State, as the prime minister noted – both at home and wherever they find themselves in the world. Another objective of the mission will be to limit the ability of the Islamic State to plan and launch terror attacks.
As well, Canada’s international credibility is on the line as key allies like France, Britain and Australia join in the U.S.-led airstrikes already involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan. The prime minister correctly stated: “If Canada wants to keep its voice in the world – and we should, since so many of our challenges are global – being a free rider means you are not taken seriously.”
Canada’s role is modest and limited, but a reasonable contribution given the state of this country’s aging military hardware. There is a precedent for Canada providing airpower during both the United-Nations backed campaign in Libya and in the NATO-led mission in Kosovo.
Canada is also providing humanitarian assistance and advising Kurdish peshmerga fighters, a crucial contribution. But this isn’t an either/or choice as Liberal leader Justin Trudeau suggested. Aid is crucial, but it is not a reason to avoid the heavy lifting of air raids.
There are legitimate concerns about what Canada and the international community can reasonably hope to achieve from pounding Islamic State. Ideology, no matter how heinous, cannot be defeated with bombs. The exit plan is far from clear. The best that can be hoped for may be to curtail Islamic State’s ability to expand its territory, pilfer regional infrastructure and raise funds by selling oil from conquered refineries on the black market. The worst case scenario is exacerbating the hornet’s nest of religious and ethnic cleavages in the Middle East and provoking more anti-Western sentiment.
The mission is fraught with risk, but the prime minister views Canada’s contribution as crucial enough to stake his political future on it. Canadian participation is neither desirable, nor popular nor easy. It is simply the best course of action. The other options are even less palatable.
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