20 years after Afghanistan, soldiers ask: was it worth it?

After years of reporting on the war in Afghanistan, CBC’s David Common travels to Edmonton to attend a reunion with Canadian soldiers as they reflect on whether it was all worth it.
#Afghanistan #Military #Canada
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[@patriciaeddy7629]

Another Vietnam! It was NOT worth it! Never shouldn't have been there,All Lies.

[@missf4681]

I agree

[@Handlebrake2]

Imagine what lives could have improved,saved, or all the cool tech you could have made with all that money!

[@amartinjoe]

we Canadians will spend decades trying to make sense of the loss of Afghanistan. This was a humbling experience for us in the west - it was a lesson that we can't impose our values on other people - no matter how noble the aims are - the people themselves must want that change organically. Afghans became too lazy and reliant on western aid - they didn't fight for it the way Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom.

[@lenitaa7938]

I expected to hear from the Afghani civilian population on how they felt about having the Foreign military there, even if they covered their faces and names.. Could have also interviewed those that left the country, pro and against sides.. Incomplete reporting.

[@patriciaeddy7629]

Iraq,Another mess that never should have been done.

[@MelioraCogito]

You are not incorrect in that regard. Fortunately Canada, under the _Liberals,_ chose not to get involved in that misadventure. Imagine how different the decision would have been had _Conservatives_ [Harper] been in power in 2003.

[@dblaze4745]

Why Afghanistan was not asked to join the NATO?

[@sachamm]

They don't meet the minimum requirements for a stable state.

[@MelioraCogito]

Notwithstanding the obvious reasons (outside the cynical ethnic excuses some might offer), there are specific criteria that have to be met before any nation can join the alliance. Principle among them is they must a "stable democracy" which Afghanistan never was following the ouster of the Taliban in 2002.

[@jihadi-against-oppression]

Afghanistan will never join NATO which exports terrorism

[@kazkazimierz1742]

I was opposed the Canada's involvement from the very beginning. The Soviets had just had there asses kicked there, the last in a line of invaders. I saw no reason to think that NATO's involvement would be any different. The Brits, of all nations, should have known what happens to those who try to conquer the Afghans. In addition, the purported reason for going there made no sense to me.

[@winebarimunsi4732]

How many Afghans died...

[@charlesdayon8420]

How many Afghans were killed by Afghans? How many Afghans were killed by actions of the Pakistanis, the Iraqi, the Iranians or people funded by the Iranians, and how many died because of Chinese involvement, or even the Russian's. How many have died since the Taliban take over, at the hands of the Taliban. What would happen if the Taliban allowed a free and democratic election.?

[@winebarimunsi4732]

@@charlesdayon8420 can't go into peoples lands with your one boot fits all nonsense of democracy, look around and see how much damage it has caused all over the place ..for one to say 32 Canadian military died i say so what who invited them in...western hegemony must be stopped it has only brought misery n death

[@silent-cc1sm]

@@charlesdayon8420 I think I just want to know about this war 2001 to 2021 it 176,000

[@khabibnurmagomedov9707]

@@charlesdayon8420 listen kid! Don't try to be to clever!

[@fghan786]

@@charlesdayon8420 its none of your business keep thinking about your own country 😡😡 how much Afghan we dont forget and we do not forgot so one day will come to get our revenge don't forget that 😡

[@Yu7Zi]

Americans justify this invasion but oppose Russia’s. Hypocrisy at it’s finest.

[@bilalrahman2786]

Not just American all nato people and even Ukraine itself

[@jihadi-against-oppression]

America is threat to world peace....

[@bilalrahman2786]

@@Joeyknows924 oh, you mean the American funded and trained Al Qaeda.

[@Yu7Zi]

@@bilalrahman2786 You’d expect nothing less from a country who’s leader actively supported Palestinian genocide.

[@troybreedlove4195]

Thank you for sharing your experience, thank you for your service . God bless🙏

[@BADBIKERBENNY]

I never understood why we went there in the first place.

[@bookreaderson]

Our first casualty were from USA Air Force. That was the first clue it wasn’t gona be a happy ending

[@gina2838]

The Soviet empire fell because of all the resources they spent in Afghanistan. It's a tough country to change or control .

[@lenitaa7938]

It's tragic for the military there.. They sacrificed their lives! They need to find meaning! But being killed by a friendly fire is a real slap in the face! Did the Americans even apologize? How did Americans Not know where the other Western Armies, their Allies, are based?? That's the military leadership and military discipline, negligence issues!

[@michealphilips18]

Hello there how are you doing today 🌹💐

[@kazkazimierz1742]

I was opposed to sending Canadians from the very start. One doesn't need to know a lot of the history to know that Afghans fight their occupiers. The Brits learned that in the 19th century and should have known better than to go back.

[@niweshlekhak9646]

Canada never went there to occupy, it was to fight the terrorists.

[@maplegumm]

@@niweshlekhak9646It doesn’t matter if it was still seen as an occupation.

[@niweshlekhak9646]

@@maplegumm US let Afghanistan have their own constitution, they stayed there because Afghan army was unable to fight the Taliban.

[@AJ-to8lb]

Regardless of the politics behind our presence in Afghanistan, thank you for your service to our country, and that goes to both the troops and the journalists that put themselves at great risk.

[@AJ-to8lb]

@Nicnicnicolas89 A nonsensical response that reminds me of the saying: "You can’t reason someone out of something that they weren’t reasoned into in the first place." Nor can one have a meaningful discussion with someone not interested or willing to acknowledge reality or facts.

[@sachamm]

@Nicnicnicolas89 LOLOL "NPC" is the most self-refuting insult in all English. Imagine going around mindlessly repeating the same phrase accusing others of doing exactly what you're doing. lol Only on the far right do you see this level of projection.

[@Handlebrake2]

Lol, going to the middle east wasn't a service to our country.

[@AJ-to8lb]

@Nicnicnicolas89 If you need an English translator, then I am going to assume you do not speak English. That would explain why none of your posts make any sense. I am so "hypnotized'??? By what? And in what way? You are trying so hard to tea-roll (sic*) but you just do not have the wit to pull it off.

[@AJ-to8lb]

​@@Handlebrake2 If you read my post, you would have noticed that I expressly stated: "regardless of the politics...". Try setting your own personal political views aside just for a second because whatever your views might be, those troops were still there "in service of our country" putting their lives at risk. It is fine to be critical of the reasons that may have led us there, but you can not deny the reality that those troops were there at the direction of their country.

[@Denbub]

RESPECT ❤️🇨🇦

[@user-pn2ni1sv3i]

What was Canada doing in Afghanistan?😂 And you're blaming Russia for invading Ukraine🎻

[@Hanakowasright]

Its those Twin Towers man US was provoked and Canada followed

[@AJ-to8lb]

Helping our ally after they were the victim of one of the worse terrorist attacks in Western history and working WITH the sovereign government of Afghanistan. Russia on the other hand is engaging in an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation. See the difference now? I am not justifying either situation but they are nothing alike.

[@dirteafairy]

@@xanderab corporate canada was there to attain the drugs the lands were set up to grow. Taliban banned heroine drug trade on their lands. You don't know what was going on.

[@AJ-to8lb]

@Nicnicnicolas89 The US did not flee, they left as part of the agreement Trump made with the Taliban to release 5,000 experienced Taliban fighters and for the US to leave the country.

[@AJ-to8lb]

@Nicnicnicolas89 Why do you keep spamming the same phrase? Is your vocabulary that limited? Also, what exactly do you think NPC means because, it makes no sense in the context you are using it? I never said anything about an agreement to leave 100k, you are just making up s%*t for the sake of faux outrage. There are plenty of things that could be criticized about the way in which the US decided to withdraw from Afghanistan which was part of the the deal secured by Donald Trump and signed in Doha, Qatar, in February 2020 but calling it a "retreat" or "fleeing" only displays your ignorance of the actual circumstances around what happened.

[@anthonyandersen2958]

Old men start war young men fight them. RIP comrades, for the injured hope and peace of mind.

[@slabdab4202]

They signed up for it

[@JeroenBIG]

It was definitely worth it. It gave the western army’s so much real life 💪 training, real combat experience. It was very positive for the weapons industry, lots of spending.

[@zaingazi3548]

That's kind of what I figured out about american soldiers. They're just these filling out their resume, like its a career move. Why don't we ask the dead what they think about that ? Incidentally I can't imagine those rapists and dope heads getting much combat experience, except when they stooped to shoot themselves in the foot. After so many years in vietnam, laos and cambodia, america doesn't need more combat experience or even drugs. It needs redemption. America has 2 choices; redemption or suicide. Take yo pick.

[@sergeyshevchenko7675]

i wish you were there..

[@MelioraCogito]

Thankyou for not censoring Lorne Ford's words (and allowing comments). I trained (then recruit) Mark Campbell when he joined the Militia in 1980 and served with him up until he commissioned from the ranks (CFR) from Sgt to a Lt and joined the regular forces in 1988. He is one of the finest leaders I've had the privilege to know.

[@markcampbell8533]

Hey mystery man - give me a shout on FB if you have a profile. I'm curious as to your identity! Thanks for the kind words, BTW. Much appreciated!

[@marilynjones6111]

I have had the privilege of knowing both Ford and Campbell, they are great men.

[@republicofsrpska6904]

I have spoken to several Norwegian soldiers who have taken part in the American occupation of Afghanistan and they came from another American war from the Serbian province of Kosovo. I asked them what the Norwegian army had to do in Afghanistan because they never threatened Norway and most Norwegians like you Canadians can hardly find Afghanistan on the world map. I received the answer that "when we liberate Afghanistan, our companies will get in touch to rebuild the country and make money". When we realized that the United States was leaving Afghanistan and that the American war adventure was over, they became very sad and angry, especially when the Norwegian government's flight on taxpayers' money brought Taliban terrorists to Norway for negotiations. Just want to say that the first Canadian victim in Afghanistan Sergeant Mark was hugely popular and loved by us Serbs. During his service in former Bosnia, he helped many Serbian refugees who were trying to rebuild their lives and living in terrible conditions. Sergeant Mark's wife was in the Serbian Republic (Serbian part of former Bosnia) and was rebuilding a Serbian church destroyed by the Bosnian Muslim army. RIP Mark and we will not forget you and your family.

[@torau666]

I was there and had no idea why

[@CC-iq2pe]

This deployment means alot to many around the world. If anyone goes back into that part of the world lessons learned will effect major changes into the tactics used.

[@Dakurar]

No. Our finest young men and women will forever remain there.

[@MelioraCogito]

None of those who died in Afghanistan were left there. They were all repatriated (brought home) to Canada.

[@Dakurar]

I'm not talking about their bodies.

[@YesuahhamashiachloveKorean]

Чи знаєте ви трагічний кінець загарбників? Військовий злочинець Путін і Росія точно буде переможена! Путін = Гітлер це сатана диявол! Темрява не може перемогти світло! Україна обов'язково переможе! Всі вільні люди на світі, Моліться Господу Ісусу Христу і вболівайте за Україну! Республіка Корея підтримуватиме і допомагатиме Україні до кінця! Донбас і Крим, Маріуполь належатиме Україні! Усі території в Україні будуть повністю відновлені! Україна буде символом миру та свободи! Відважні та невинні патріотичної вірності, які загинули захищаючи Україну, Ми ніколи не забудемо героїв Маріуполя! Загарбники Росія, Вибачте за цю війну, За все знищене в Україні виправитеся! «Слава Україна» Навіть у цей момент, Щиро молимося Господу Ісусу Христу за українських воїнів та людей, які своїми життями борються за захист рідної землі, України! Будь ласка, врятуйте життя цих прекрасних і дорогоцінних українських воїнів! приготований Всевишнім Господом Богом, до перемоги України, Вся честь і слава і подяка Господу Ісусу Христу!! амінь!

[@omidpourhossein]

I have translation from Russian for you: "Ready to talk." for Putin actually means "I am ready for your unconditional surrender and total submission." Just to make things clear because the true meaning of things can often get lost during translation

[@dennyloverin3470]

5 dancing Israeli's

[@test40323]

Canada went into harms way in support of our southern ally, we stayed to prevent return of international terrorists. No one can change Afghan society when they're not ready; the fact afghans accepted the return of the Taliban without a fight speaks of their wishes at this moment in time.

[@dirteafairy]

The taliban banned heroine trade. Yes they are so bad. Kick out the remaining cia drug enforcers , without explaining why they left some behind.

[@lenitaa7938]

Afghani Civilians feel helpless in re to Taliban rule! Look at many Thousands upon Thousands of Afghani Families became Refugees when they ran to the other Neighbour countries! It says a lot how they fear Taliban! Did you really expect them to fight the well-armed, experienced Taliban?

[@lenitaa7938]

@@dirteafairy That's BS! Heroine is how Taliban fund themselves! Also, that's how people there subsist by growing it..

[@dirteafairy]

@Nicnicnicolas89 victim?? They are free from tyrannical rule of elites. Taliban are victors on their lands . You appear informed by media liars.

[@dirteafairy]

@@lenitaa7938 you watch waaaaaaay toooooo much media programming. You appear lazy.

[@MrPigeon01]

Who is the guy on the thumbnail. I think he’s in the RMR

[@lenitaa7938]

The quick answer: No, it was not 'worth' it! Too many innocent Afghanis were killed by our Military, with predictable results! The tragic truth: We simply do not value the Afghani nor Iraqi lives the way we value those of our own, European ethnicity, lives! We invade using pretexts! Why didn't the US invade the Saudi Arabia instead? That is, if we were truly hunting for the 'terrorists'! The 7/11 militants were from the Saudi Arabia, after all! We wouldn't dare to invade the rich Saudis! And the other Arab counties would probably strike back! Their resources are infinite! The poorer countries are another story.. Look at all the American drone strikes on funeral and wedding processions, on journalists, on humanitarian workers, etc etc! All War Crimes! The cover-up and rationalizing, the spins done by our Western Govts! The corruption! How would we like it to have the foreign military drones in our own countries obliterating our families?? Like I said, we just do not seem to respect 'other foreign' lives, esp if they are of color and poor, and far away! The Patriot Act alone had done a great deal of damage with its many terrible human rights and civil rights abuses that brought suffering to American citizens of the Middle Eastern ethnicity! It should have never ever been allowed! So much for our 'Democracy', where the legal representation was not allowed for those falsely accussed and people were imprisoned for years without any charges! Even the Uyirghurs were there, caught up in the sweep, and the US Govt did little to free them from own prison! Too embarrassed to admit they bungled it up! It took a lot of pressure from the Human Rights orgs to finally free the innocent Uyirghurs! The List of abuses is just too long! It's these serious abuses that created more recruitment for the Al-Quada, ISIS and other extremists! The primary fault lies with our Govts and the Military leadership! All about politics and optics! They, esp President Bush, have blood on their hands! Were they ever held accountable?? Where were the court trials? The US Govt (and Israeli) does not even submit to nor respects the International Criminal Court's decisions! That says it all about the true Western values! We are a bunch of hypocrites!

[@dangal9366]

It is exactly how it was before the invasion so I would say no. We should have trained 300 000 female troops instead of males. Maybe they wouldn't have handed their weapons to the taliban as soon as the western troops left.

[@lindahope8849]

God bless Humanity Amen 🙏 Much love and prayers Brethren Amen 🙏

[@FoxHound_Actual]

When 9/11 happened and we went to Afghanistan everyone was for it, now that's its been over and we forgot why we were there in the first place, everyone's taking the opportunity to get their kicks in. You all will hate on soldiers and the military until you need them again, when your lives and freedom are threatened. Nobody wants war, least of all the solider. But don't make the mistake of thinking we shouldn't be ready for it. This is a fools logic.

[@charlesdayon8420]

@@Joeyknows924 I wonder how many Afghanistan's wish we were still involved in that mess, I get the feeling that the people made some real steps forward to a society that could provide for the citizens of Afghanistan.

[@afghankhan3977]

The world is practecing starvation and Economic terroresom on Afghanistan after loos. Hypoqrits

[@Scotian6444]

Ya because the taliban moderated rofl... fox in the hen yard... Afghans allowed the take over so guess they are good with it... fing military fled in most circumstances leaving equipment... smells like turn coats to me... bet some major bribes or brides changed hands... Allies should moderate taliban themselves... change or loss all transport infrastructure... no troops... just a fly over every few days to crater a few roads... bridges

[@calvinabbott6920]

WEF is doing it world wide with bioweapons and planned starvation.

[@kellyh4035]

My taxes pay for this network. Why am i watching ads?

[@Winnipeg_Roleplay_Community]

Because you're on youtube

[@dangal9366]

Ya want to pay more taxes?

[@CM-bi6oy]

State-building in a place like Afghanistan will always be doomed to failure. Perhaps a better strategy would have been breaking the country up into smaller states based on the various ethnic groups in the country.

[@Scotian6444]

India and Pakistan come to mind... how many died in that migration

[@CM-bi6oy]

@@Scotian6444 Quite a few. But the alternative was keeping Muslim-majority regions part of India by force. That would have been costly as well.

[@CM-bi6oy]

@@taakspeen9165 Pashtuns are not the only ethnicity in Afghanistan. The largest group but less than half of the population.

[@newgengaming799]

You clearly know nothing

[@CM-bi6oy]

@زید while the terms Afghan and Pashtun have become synonymous, not everyone in Afghanistan is a Pashtun. About a quarter of the population is Tajik. There are other groups as well. No reason they can’t be the basis of their own country. The borders of Afghanistan were drawn by the British and the Russians.

[@missf4681]

Our military are the best. God bless and keep all of those who served and who are surviving our country.

[@jobarmure6169]

Tribe mentality! we don't care if they are complicite of US army in crime against humanity. We always support our tribe!!!!

[@Handlebrake2]

Lol, the best? Against whom?

[@missf4681]

@@Handlebrake2 the best people

[@Yu7Zi]

They’re terrorists is what they are. No different to Russia. Hypocrites the lot of them.

[@kellymurphy2172]

It's only just been begun so sit back and enjoy the war.

[@ajmalwalimarjan2829]

😢

[@marlenemacdonald]

If these ppl want things like everyone else has. I get that and respect it. No one in this world but you fight til death. And that shows many that you all disrespect human life. Including your own children. When you can respect human life and treat ppl better. You will be respected and have many friends. But you always believe killing is the answer. Which means to me. Your no where human life. Example..Why the world is at a level 8. While your still level 1. Stop fighting and love ppl. And stop teaching your children these evil ways. I no so many of you here in canada. And I'm glad your their away from death. Your country has no heart and soul at all. And that hurts

[@deezyhunna8601]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@NothernNate]

Well said. Brave warriors! I also joined right after 9/11 We can only try! 🤘❤️🤘

[@lenitaa7938]

'Try' to do what exactly? What right do we have invading other Sovereign countries??

[@tylerdurden7764]

Terrorism should be demolished. People in Afghanistan should be greatful for the efforts of United States

[@Yu7Zi]

The United States ARE the terrorists

[@Meyers1793]

LOOOOOOL Aghans should be greatful that America invaded and occupied their country for 20 years, installed corrupt governments, ransacked their natural resources, and used drones to massacre countless civilians at weddings, schools, and hospitals?

[@TANGO57A]

Americaaaaaa 🇺🇸😂

[@toddsterling4949]

cbc has become a sad news agency,for sure!!

[@bhut1571]

You probably haven't listened to CBC most of your life. Their coverage is excellent.

[@toddsterling4949]

@@bhut1571 i have watched cbc my whole life,they were great now its just propaganda.get off the pipe and wake up!!

[@sachamm]

Literally international-award winning journalism.

[@toddsterling4949]

people with brains are smart enough to find the news as its happening online,cbc is so left leaning its not a news agency anymore just a mouthpiece for leftwing politics!!

[@Docroc]

Having trouble with the big,complex words Todd?

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Only removing the yoke of Islam would have been worthwhile.

[@IceAxe1940]

All religion to be honest, they're all toxic and needs to end completely.

[@slabdab4202]

True now I see it everyday in Canada :(

[@zayedbiniqbal2797]

@@IceAxe1940 Then What Would everyone be? Atheist. We haven’t seen what an atheist world looks like.

[@IceAxe1940]

@@zayedbiniqbal2797 Well considering atheists don't start wars based off of their fundamental beliefs like religious people *cough cough Christans and Islam* and cause wars which kills millions throught it's history it would be better based off of that.

[@fortunatebeing-pcos]

Err, well Islam is derived from Judaism and Christianity. Sociopathic individuals are the one's involved in these types of atrocities. One can extend this to US ideology in invading and killing for oil. Ideology is intersectional and to utilize a reductionist perspective is minimalistic.

[@munimulhaque271]

American 🤣🤣.

[@dejanandric8616]

Fak no!!!

[@user-kc4gh4yb6c]

🇦🇫💯🇺🇲

[@SeaHorseOo]

Could be equivalent to Vietnam as being pivotal.. If it was then centered around medical care it is now about education... 🫤