Progress in Afghanistan

Such as it is, we have to be cautious about any politician making the claim that we are making progress in Afghanistan. Foreign Affairs Minister Bernier has just lowered the bar quite dramatically.

“We have to go back in Canada and have a discussion about the future of our mission,” Mr. Bernier said. “We have to set benchmarks for the training of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.”

But the mission cannot be assessed only according to its steps toward improving the country, Mr. Bernier said, because the presence of Canadian troops also serves as a deterrent against greater bloodshed.

Ah - I see the reality of the situation is finally beginning to dawn on the Ottawa Chickenhawk crowd. They think that by lowering the standard of "victory" they can persuade people that "progress is being made".

Of course, this is little more than window dressing, intended to divert our attentions from the Government's attempts to cover up the uglier side of the situation.