Toronto Star: What was point of the Afghan war?

[marmar]

By Thomas Walkom
National Affairs Columnist


With the U.S. committed to Afghan peace talks, the outlines of the end to this disastrous war are becoming clear. In one form or another, the Taliban are on their way back.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed lukewarm support for the talks Friday. But for Canada, they raise an obvious question: Why did we bother getting so involved in this conflict? What was the point of spending all of that money and sacrificing, to date, 152 Canadian lives?

The process of dragging the U.S. towards peace has taken a long time. After invading Afghanistan in 2001, Washington absolutely refused to countenance any arrangement with the ousted Taliban.

Here in Canada, when New Democrat Leader Jack Layton dared suggest negotiating with the insurgents, he was mocked as a terrorist sympathizer. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/880146--walkom-what-was-point-of-the-afghan-war?bn=1