A common complaint is that revelations from the Gomery inquiry have broughtthe operation of the federal government effectively to a halt. One frontthat Ottawa seems to keep doggedly moving ahead on — regrettably — is ourmilitary integration with the U.S.
Indeed, while the Gomery issue built to a crescendo last week, hardly anyattention was paid to the release of a defence policy review that signalledOttawa’s intention to make the Canadian military more part of the U.S. warmachine — a change that would likely offend most Canadians if they wereaware of it.
Of course, it wasn’t stated like that. Rather, the change was billed as partof our “new, more sophisticated approach to our relationship with the UnitedStates.”
In essence, this “more sophisticated” approach boils down to linking ourmilitary operations more with Washington’s. “Today our ships integrateseamlessly with U.S. Navy formations,” the review notes enthusiastically,holding up this model of “interoperability.”
Of course, Canada has a long history of military co-operation with the U.S.,but the Bush administration’s more aggressive military stance has threatenedto change the nature of that relationship. Washington wants us to join theirglobal war against “terror” — a murky, open-ended war that allows the U.S.to intervene anywhere in the world.
A report in the Wall Street Journal last month described a new top-levelPentagon planning document which calls for the U.S. military to become more“proactive” and “focused on changing the world instead of just responding toconflicts.”
This is hair-raising stuff that goes beyond even the frightening notion ofpre-emptive war. Now Washington seems to be talking about using itsunsurpassed military might to force nations to behave as it wants them to.Only the most rabid pro-Washington zealot would fail to see theopportunities for abuse in such unchallenged power.
Canadians have no interest in being part of an aggressive force bent onremaking the world. But Ottawa’s defence review, part of its overall foreignpolicy review, portrays our defence needs as essentially the same asWashington’s: “(M)ost of the new dangers to the United States are no lessrisks to Canada.”
In fact, our situations are very different. Few terrorists want to attackus, because we don’t have a long history of intervening in other countriesthe way Washington has. For that matter, Washington exaggerates its ownvulnerability in order to keep Americans willing to go to war.
Canadians are overwhelmingly resistant to the kind of military adventurismfavoured by hawks in the Bush administration. At the same time, we’rewilling to put money and manpower into maintaining peacekeeping forcesaround the world.
If we associate our military with peacekeeping — as the government no doubthopes we will — we’ll be more inclined to accept the massive $13 billionincrease in military spending Ottawa has proposed.
But, with Ottawa’s emphasis on integrating Canada’s defence policy withWashington’s, it’s not peacekeeping but war-making that’s likely to be onthe agenda.
Support rabble today!
We’re so glad you stopped by! Thanks for consuming rabble content this year.
rabble.ca is 100% reader and donor funded, so as an avid reader of our content, we hope you will consider gifting rabble with a donation during our summer fundraiser today.
Whether it be a one-time donation or a small monthly contribution, your support is critical to keep rabble writers producing the work you’ve come to rely on as a part of a healthy media diet.
Become a rabble rouser — donate to rabble.ca today.
Nick Seebruch, editor
