Harper Running a fools errand

Five lessons from the war against Islamic State: Burman

No. 1: Trying to bomb an ideology is a fool's errand — one that Stephen Harper is only too willing to embrace.

The next stage of the Middle East’s tortuous modern history is taking shape, and it is a frightening one. After several weeks of aimless bombing, the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State extremists seems doomed to failure. And what may happen next is likely to be worse.

Here are five conclusions I draw from this week’s developments:
 

1. Canada’s role will be meaningless.
 

The decision by the Conservative government to join the coalition will not make a whit of difference in the region in military or strategic terms. Attempting to bomb an ideology into oblivion is a fool’s errand, and believing that six fighter jets will actually matter is delusional. Instead, Canada’s irrelevance within the Middle East will only deepen.
 

Canada’s involvement seems all about domestic politics — and the next federal election. After failing in 2003 to drag Canada into a disastrous war in Iraq, Stephen Harper has achieved it in 2014. And he will sleep better knowing that, when he next dines with the American president and fellow NATO leaders, he won’t be relegated to the kiddie table. Beyond that, nothing. This, in sum, is how Canada’s fabled foreign policy in this 21st century is currently being crafted.

READ MORE: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/10/11/five_lessons_from_the_war_against_islamic_state_burman.html