Why Not Follow Britain & America on This One?

Around the world the arrival of Spring means many things. In Afghanistan it means open season for the Taliban insurgency.

The Americans and the British have no doubt that this Spring will bring a renewed Taliban offensive that is expected to be more violent than in the past. That's why both countries are talking about sending reinforcements to meet the growing Taliban challenge.

Makes sense, doesn't it? If the bad guys increase their force, if their threat to your own soldiers increases, you increase the size of your own force to meet the growing threat.

So, how are we doing in Kandahar? I suppose the Canadian contingent could use another 1,000 to 1,500 combat soldiers right about now to supplement the meagre battle group of 1,000 rifles we use to control Kandahar province.

What are we doing to back up our fighting troops? Is "nothing" too harsh a word?

According to a statement made by General Rick Hillier a month ago, we're tapped. We don't have any more troops to send. Now Hillier has shown he has a bit of the politician in him. He may actually be able to stretch his forces a little further. He could copy Bush's "surge" trick - extend tours of soldiers who were to leave Iraq and speed up the arrival of their replacements - to create greater numbers. He could scour the non-combat types at Kandahar airfield and get some of them on the line. I think he should do just that and Parliament should make sure he does.

One rifle for every 20 square miles pretty much limits your options, especially when the other guy is on the offensive and he's working in his own backyard, among his own people. If the Americans and the Brits realize they need to urgently reinforce their contingents, it's a good bet we do too. And, when it comes to reinforcement, timing is everything. They're only good if they're there in time.