Abstract
This paper gives a general account of America's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, focusing on the goals and dangers of a US presence in these nations. The author gives a background to the ethnic and religious conflict in Iraq, then describes the current conditions and government structure in Afghanistan. The author emphasizes that Afghanistan's extreme Islamic rule makes it difficult for the US to expect to normalize relations with this troubled nation. It is further stated that Democracy and human rights in Afghanistan, according to the Western concept and understanding, might not be feasible or possible in the short term. The author concludes that the primary purpose of an American presence in Afghanistan is the destruction of al Qaeda.

From the Paper
"Anti-American violence has been increasing (Yaphe 2004). The imminent civil war is not likely to be between the Sunnis and the Shi'a, or between the Arabs and the Kurds. The clashes in many parts of the country were clearly a series of planned and coordinated attacks on US forces and civilians working on the reconstruction plan. The civil war is seen as likelier between religious extremists Sunni and Shi'a. Iraq is made up of 60% Shi'a Arab, 20% Sunni Arab and 20% Kurd. Sunni and Shi'a Arabs stand for Iraqi nationalism and want to maintain the country's political and territorial integrity according to the 1920 San Remo Treaty and the 1932 Treaty of Independence. And the Iraqi Kurds want to be part of Iraq only at the moment and their reluctance towards permanent status is a clear impediment to constitutional and territorial concessions. The second condition, which must be handled, surrounds the fate of transitional governance. Its nature, selection, and who would serve the cabinet posts were the points of dispute between the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqis. The Governing Council apparently preempted UN-US efforts to form the new interim government by choosing a new president, two deputy presidents and a prime minister. Elections would not ensure perfect democratic governance or a pro-American government, but should reflect the consensus of the majority of the Iraqi people. What it took Britain to achieve a truly representative government after 900 years and the United States more than 225 years and a civil war has been made the goal for the Iraqis in only a year. And the third condition brings out the Governing Council's lack of legitimacy and the still undefined nature of political institutions. These issues cannot be resolved soon. The US needs to pass on real and transparent decision-making power on to the Iraqis (Yaphe)."

Tags:legal, pluralism, ethnic, minorities, Iraq, Afghanistan, US, interests

Abstract
This paper describes Canada's policy towards Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks on the United States. Particularly, this paper considers Canada's in the War in Afghanistan. Ultimately, the picture that emerges is of a reluctant middle power that wished to maintain its moral high ground and, therefore, was reluctant to commit troops for that reason. The paper concludes that Canada was limited in its ability to offer much auxiliary support in Afghanistan because it simply lacked the resources and military preparedness to do so.

From the Paper
"This paper looks at Canada's policy towards Afghanistan when war with that country's Taliban regime unfolded in late-2001 following the terrorist attacks on the United States. Particularly, this paper looks at what Canada did (and does), why it did what it did, and what it should differently in the War in Afghanistan. Ultimately, the picture that emerges is of a reluctant middle power that wished to maintain its moral high ground and, therefore, was reluctant to commit troops for that reason; at the same time, Canada was limited in its ability to offer much auxiliary support in Afghanistan because it simply lacked the resources..."

Tags:afghanistan, policy, insufficient

Abstract
This paper argues that Canada should withdraw her troops from Afghanistan. The writer points out that Canadian involvement in the war in Afghanistan has been ongoing since the conflict began in 2001, and what began as a peacekeeping mission in support of the United States against the Taliban has become something different largely because of American involvement in the war in Iraq. The writer discusses that the continued presence of Canadian troops in Afghanistan can today be seen as support for the wider war the United States is waging in the Middle East. The writer argues that Canada should withdraw before the fallout from this extended conflict harms Canadian interests.

From the Paper
"Canadian involvement in the war in Afghanistan has been ongoing since the conflict began in 2001, and what began as a peacekeeping mission in support of the United States against the Taliban has become something different largely because of American involvement in the war in Iraq. The continued presence of Canadian troops in Afghanistan can today be seen as support for the wider war the United States is waging in the Middle East. Canada should withdraw before the fallout from this extended conflict harms Canadian interests. Canada's involvement in Afghanistan steadily increased from the start of the conflict. Most recently, Canada undertook a major role in the southern part of that country, based around Kandahar with a battle group of more then 2000 soldiers. Canada also now commands one of the main military forces in Afghanistan, the Multi National Brigade for Command South."

Tags:canada, afghanistan, war

Abstract
This paper explains that Andrew North's article on Afghanistan points out how much commentary duplicates imperialist views of Afghans and Afghanistan as violent, ungovernable and unaccountable. The author relates several theoretical sources belonging to post-colonial theory and others, which help to substantiate observations made. The paper suggests that old notions of Afghanistan suit current American and British foreign policy objectives.

From the Paper
"This paper refers to several motifs that are rather old, in presenting the Afghan people to Westerners, as `other' than Europeans, as found in a recent BBC South Asia article. The reader who is interested in the history of South Asia, or of Afghanistan, will spot several tendencies that render this piece not only orientalist, but a piece of propaganda, given Britain's considerable role in backing the American invasion of President George Bush. The article plays on what readers may believe that they `know' about Afghanistan and about the Afghan people, with important aspects of the Afghan conflict missing."

Tags:afghanistan, afghans, motifs

Abstract
Paper explains Carter's policy option of 1978 in building up intelligence/presence in Pakistan that induced Soviet decision to invade Afghanistan, as an important but little realised aspect of a war that helped to dissolve the USSR. In Dec of 1979, the USSR invaded Afghanistan towards an impossible war of high casualties and low morale; Pakistan ISI role carried by Reagan administration 1981-; impact of the war, 1979-1992 - Taliban, remarks on present conflict with several questions on what the future should hold; ref to documents now unclassified; first hand accounts; scholarly materials and pointing out how educated culture has summarized the Carter era incorrectly.

From the Paper
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan of 1978 -1979. Introduction The Soviet Union's 40^th Army was prepared to invade Afghanistan in August of 1978, in support of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) Marxist government, a step towards hostilities ending in the May 1988 Soviet withdrawal, the last forces leaving Afghanistan on February 15, 1989. The invasion of December 24 1979 had occurred swiftly with the Soviet forces arriving on two main land routes and a massive air corridor (q.v.). As this paper explains, Moscow's decision to enter Afghanistan was triggered by U.S. activities in Pakistan in supporting anti-Marxists of

Tags:afghanistan, 1978 policy, carter

Abstract
The debate in Canada about this nation's role in Afghanistan is a heated one - and rightly so. Most of all, maintaining a military force in that nation places Canadian lives at risk and costs money - presumably lots and lots of money. With that in mind, I will look briefly at an article by Haroon Siddiqui in which he argues that Canada should take the lead in finding a peaceful resolution for the tensions in that land; I will also look at how representative his views are of the media establishment within Canada. As time permits, I will likewise look briefly at the historical context of the current conflict and why there are many in the media who are uncomfortable with our involvement. In the end, Afghanistan may have been a worthy strike against a brutal regime with involvement in 9/11, but the challenge for Canadians now - as more than a few media types make clear - is to couple humanitarian and peace-keeping initiatives together with the strictly military component.

From the Paper
Canada and Afghanistan: Where We Have Been and Where We (Should) Be Going The debate in Canada about this nation's role in Afghanistan is a heated one - and rightly so. Most of all, maintaining a military force in that nation places Canadian lives at risk and costs money - presumably lots and lots of money. With that in mind, I will look briefly at an article by Haroon Siddiqui in which he argues that Canada should take the lead in finding a peaceful resolution for the tensions in that land; I will also look at how representative his views are of the media establishment within Canada. As time permits, I will likewise look briefly at the historical context of the current conflict and why there are many in the media who

Tags:canada, afghanistan, taliban

Abstract
The paper argues that the Canadian military involvement in Afghanistan is laudable and that realists have a better understanding of the realities of international security and human rights protection than do liberals. The paper outlines the general content of both sides vis-a-vis this important issue and provides information on why each side feels as it does. Finally, the paper concludes with a brief note about how human rights and liberties (and international security) can only be maintained if those who would violate those rights and liberties are held accountable - by the use of force, if necessary. The paper concludes that the realists have it right, and the only area wherein it appears both sides are in agreement is that military forces should assist in the re-constitution of war-torn Afghanistan.

From the Paper
"The following paper will argue that the Canadian military involvement in Afghanistan laudable and that realists have a better understanding of the realities of international security and human rights protection than do liberals. The next few pages will outline the general content of both sides vis-AfA -vis this important issue and provide information on why each side feels as it does. Finally, the paper will conclude with a brief note about how human rights and liberties (and international security) can only be maintained if those who would violate those rights and liberties are held accountable - by the use of force, if necessary. In the end, the..."

Tags:afghanistan, war, canada

Abstract
The paper discusses how the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Canadian Government has identified Afghanistan as one of its top three foreign policy commitments. The paper explains that this is because of the great need in that country; Afghanistan was at war for several decades, and its society was negatively impacted by the rule of the Taliban.

From the Paper
"The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Canadian Government has identified Afghanistan as one of its top three foreign policy commitments. This is because of the great need in that country. Afghanistan was at war for several decades, and its society was negatively impacted by the rule of the Taliban. Following this, the country was devastated, and its democratically elected government requested help from the international community with rebuilding itself into a stable and self-sufficient society. This was formalized in the Afghanistan Compact, which is a five-year agreement that was concluded in January of 2006..."

Tags:afghanistan, canada, policy

Abstract
Resistance "with the proper tools, strategy, and determination" can countermeasure any unwanted entity. This paper shows how the anti-Soviet forces in Afghanistan not only pushed the invaders out of their country, but helped precipitate the eventual fall of the USSR as a world power. The paper studies the question: How did the Soviets lose that war, or how did the Mujahidin "the soldiers of God" win?

From the Paper
"The Afghan resistance fighters, under the guidance of their Islamic mullahs and provincial warlords, devised effective tactics and strategies to engage the large Soviet and pro-Soviet forces: avoid direct combat with a superior force; use the element of surprise; attack more at night; yield a battlefield to the enemy if it means a large result of death for the resistance forces; conduct terror and disinformation campaigns in enemy-held villages. These soldiers of God would conduct successful ambushes through the course of the war. They would attack small convoys through mountainous routes if they were lightly armed; they would attack larger forces within small valley or ravines by destroying lead and aft position vehicles to cause a jam and create confusion and panic as soldiers; they would disguise themselves as pro-Soviet soldiers and conduct disinformation campaigns in local villages to create disorder and add to the confusion amongst the rumor-mill of the local populace; or they would infiltrate fire bases and conduct small raiding parties upon equipment or supplies, destroying what they could quickly, and withdrawing back into the mountains."

Tags:People?s, Democratic, Party, of, Afghanistan, (PDPA), Turkestan, and, Central, Asian, Military, Districts, Kabul

Abstract
This paper studies an article that protests the fact that Afghan women were not allowed to go to school under Taliban rule. It describes the hardships that women of all ages underwent during this time and how this has affected their education for life. It details the progress that has been made since then in Afghanistan concerning this matter. Finally, it details the present situation where girls do go to school but still study separately from boys.

From the Paper
"When the Taliban took control of most of Afghanistan five years ago, some of their most Draconian rules were about what the female half of the population could and couldn't do. They could not go out on the streets without a male relative; they often had no access to medical care, and as this article shows, it was illegal to educate them. In the United States by comparison we have not seen such tight restrictions since slavery, when it was against the law to teach slaves to read and write.
Fortunately for the women of Afghanistan, the Taliban no longer rule, but it only took five years for them to have a devastating impact on the education of an entire generation. Schools have been rapidly formed to begin teaching female children again, but both the teachers and the students are working under very trying conditions. The students must sit on the floor, and few have pencils and papers. They cannot take notes. There are few if any textbooks. So the teacher must tell the students and hope that they will remember it. But after five years with no education, the students have a hard time remembering the information being given."

Tags:Taliban, Afghanistan, Draconian, female, male, school, United, States, students