$41 Million Spent by Canada on Security Contractors and Warlords

Canadian officials are digging into the records to research how much money went to security contractors (and warlords) in Afghanistan.  Read more in "Defence department hunts for record of payments to Kandahar warlord", The Star, February 7, 2011.

Canadian Troops to Begin Withdrawal From Afghanistan in June 2011

Canada will begin withdrawing its combat troops from outposts from across southern Afghanistan in June.  Read more in "Canadian troops to begin withdrawing from Afghan combat in June", The Gazette, January 23, 2011.

Canadians Prepare for the Big Move out of Afghanistan

Canada is withdrawing from Afghanistan.  The huge task is the subject of a recent news article.  See "Afghan pullout like moving a very large village, Canadian official says", The Gazette, January 9, 2011.

Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan has Harsh Words for Karzai

The WikiLeaks documents show that Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan has a dim view of Karzai and his corrupt half-brother in Kandahar.  Read more in "Canadian envoy didn't mince words about Hamid Karzai", The Globe and Mail, December 3, 2010.

Canadian Special Operations Command to Replace Current Fleet of Reconnaissance Vehicles

The Canadian Special Operations Command (CANSOFCOM) is looking to replace the HUMVEE fleet currently in use by forces such as JTF-2 in Afghanistan.  See "Special Forces put park order for new trucks", Ottawa Citizen, December 22, 2010.

Canadian Training Mission in Afghanistan Still in Planning Stages

The transition to a combat role to a training role for Canadian military members in Afghanistan is still in the early planning stages. Various options will be explored over the coming months.  It is likely that about 900 military members will be working on the large NATO base in the Kabul area.  Read more in "Details of Afghanistan training mission still undecided", The Globe and Mail, December 1, 2010.

Horn of Panjwaii - A Taliban Stronghold

Canadian forces, along with American and Afghan forces, are moving into the Horn of Panjwaii - a historical Taliban controlled area.  While a number of offensives have taken place in the last few years to rout out the Taliban the forces never stayed on after the battles.  This time the Canadians plan on staying to ensure the Taliban don't return. Read more at the link below:
"Canadian Forces move into longtime Taliban stronghold", The Star, December 5, 2010.

Canadians Leasing MI-17 Russian Helicopters for Use in Kandahar

"The Defence Department has quietly acquired a new fleet of helicopters for combat missions in Afghanistan, but is refusing to provide details about how much the deal cost taxpayers or how many aircraft are operating. The lease of the Russian-designed Mi-17s helicopters for use in Kandahar province is shrouded in secrecy."

Read the rest of the article in "Details on chopper deal kept secret", The Montreal Gazette, November 22, 2010.

Canadian Troops will Shift from Combat Role to Training Afghans

It is unfortunate that it took the United States military and other coalition partners so long to realize that foreign troops in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban is a difficult prospect at best and leads to alienation of the rural population against the perceived occupiers.  What we should have done is invested our time and money in training up the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.  Some folks are finally catching on.  Read more in "Teaching Afghans more important than combat: army trainer", The Montreal Gazette, November 14, 2010.

Canada's Withdrawal From Afghanistan Includes Civilian Workers and Officials

Canada is, in addition to removing combat troops from Afghanistan, also looking to withdraw some of its aid workers and civilian advisers and officials.  It will continue an Afghan troop training mission.  Read more in "Canada quitting Kandahar and making deep cuts to Afghan aid", The Globe and Mail, November 17, 2010.

Canadian Trainers to be sent to Afghanistan

Up to 1,000 Canadian trainers and support staff could be sent to Afghanistan.  Read more in "Canadian trainers could be spread across Afghanistan", National Post, November 12, 2010.

Canada's PRT in Kandahar 'Wildy Successful'

A U.S. diplomat who has worked in the south of Afghanistan recently had kind words for a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) headed up by Canadian forces.  Read "Canada's PRT in Afghanistan 'wildly successful': US diplomat", The Montreal Gazette, October 31, 2010.

Canada Considers Afghan Village Defence Initiative

"The Canadian military is considering taking part in a controversial program to help Afghan villagers defend themselves against the Taliban amid reports that a growing number of locals are standing up to insurgents in the incendiary Panjwaii district — often with violent results."

Read more in "Canada considers militarizing Afghan villagers", The Globe and Mail, October 8, 2010.  Learn more about village defense initiatives in Afghanistan.

Canada Plans Its Withdrawal From Afghanistan

Canada is planning for its withdrawal from Afghanistan.  Read more in "Canada starts planning for Afghanistan withdrawal", The National Post, October 14, 2010.