Rowswell

Rowswell says that for many Afghans outside Kandahar city, the government is just an abstraction.

Canada’s representative in Kandahar on Afghanistan’s “acid test” and what we’re doing there - The World Desk - Macleans.ca 2009

Rowswell says that Afghanistan’s civic and military institutions are not yet strong enough to operate on their own. “We know what happens if those institutions fall – those vacuums are filled by men with guns.

Canada’s representative in Kandahar on Afghanistan’s “acid test” and what we’re doing there - The World Desk - Macleans.ca 2009

However, despite the extensive fraud during the first round, Rowswell says the fact that a runoff has been forced may strengthen Afghans’ support for the democratic process. “To have a president forced to go to a second round by institutions he doesn’t control was a surprise for Afghans.

Canada’s representative in Kandahar on Afghanistan’s “acid test” and what we’re doing there - The World Desk - Macleans.ca 2009

And chaos in Afghanistan has a demonstrated track record of extending beyond Afghanistan’s borders.”ÂIn other words, Rowswell believes that a surgical counter-terrorism approach that neglects nation building is less likely to succeed.

Canada’s representative in Kandahar on Afghanistan’s “acid test” and what we’re doing there - The World Desk - Macleans.ca 2009

Finally, on the arrival of more American troops in Kandahar province, Rowswell says this has allowed Canadians there to focus on a smaller area and therefore be more effective.

Canada’s representative in Kandahar on Afghanistan’s “acid test” and what we’re doing there - The World Desk - Macleans.ca 2009

On counter-narcotics efforts, Rowswell says there is now recognition that crop eradication doesn’t work and has created a lot of resentment.

Canada’s representative in Kandahar on Afghanistan’s “acid test” and what we’re doing there - The World Desk - Macleans.ca 2009

Rowswell says that for many Afghans outside Kandahar city, the government is just an abstraction.

2009 October 2009

However, despite the extensive fraud during the first round, Rowswell says the fact that a runoff has been forced may strengthen Afghans’ support for the democratic process. “To have a president forced to go to a second round by institutions he doesn’t control was a surprise for Afghans.

2009 October 2009

Has the Harper government already assigned troops to 'non-combat' roles post 2011, as detailed by Rowswell and recently requested by Clinton?

rabble.ca - News for the rest of us a_picazo 2010

Rowswell revealed that the Canadian Provincial Reconstruction Team, which includes hundreds of soldiers, will in fact remain in Afghanistan beyond the 2011 deadline. mislead by Harper in regards to our post 2011 role in Afghanistan, which is precisely why Parliament needs to have a frank discussion on the matter.

rabble.ca - News for the rest of us a_picazo 2010