The Afghans did not have sophisticated weapons like the Soviets did, but with their faith they defeated a superpower.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
If there's ever an example that military power alone cannot be successful in Afghanistan, I think it was the Soviet experience.
The Afghans are probably the world champions in resisting foreign domination and infiltration into their country.
And the fact of the matter is there were thousands of people that went through those training camps in Afghanistan. We know they are seeking deadlier weapons - chemical, biological and nuclear weapons if they can get it.
It is not surprising that most Pakistanis do not support America's bombardment of Afghanistan. The Afghans are neighbours on the brink of starvation and devastated by war. America has shown itself to be untrustworthy, a superpower that uses its values as a scabbard for its sword.
It's true that since 9/11, the application of conventional military rules of engagement has gotten a bit foggy. The Taliban were not an 'enemy state,' but the Canadian Forces conducted its operations in Afghanistan as though the rules of war applied anyway.
The attacks of 9/11 came out of Afghanistan. It was a failed state, a rogue nation. That's why al Qaeda was there in the first place.
I mean, the Taliban, my view is that they have been weakened.
Without U.S. forces in the country, there is a strong possibility Afghanistan could host a reinvigorated Taliban allied to a reinvigorated al Qaeda.
The Buddhas had to be destroyed by the Taliban to get the world thinking about Afghanistan.
The people suffering most from the Taliban were Afghans.