History

The invasion of Afghanistan started on October 7, 2001 but Canada did not play a major role in the first few months. Canada sent its first troops in Afghanistan in January- February 2002. It played a significant role from 2006 when its troops were redeployed in the Kandahar province. Currently, there are around 2500-2830 Canadian soldiers deployed in Afghanistan. These troops are part of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). This was a force that was formed with an aim of eliminating worldwide terrorism. The war against Afghanistan was initiated by the United States after the September 11 attacks and it was aimed at identifying and eliminating the al-Qaeda terrorist group in Afghanistan and overthrowing the Taliban government which was believed to be a supporter of international terrorism. The main factor behind Canadas participation in the Afghanistan war to ensure national interests was secured and Canadian leadership remained relevant in the world affairs in as far as Afghanistan concerns. On October 7 2001, the defense minister announced that Canada would be sending its troops to join the international security assistance force and help in toppling of the Taliban regime. The Canadian involvement in the war was initially planned to last up to October 2003. Forty Joint Task Force 2 soldiers were eventually deployed in Afghanistan in December 2001. The deployment of the forces was kept a secret and some months later, there was an outcry in Canadian parliament following publication in The Globe and the Mail of Canadian soldiers handing over captured prisoners to the American forces. The outcry was mainly because the parliament had not been informed of these operations. The defense minister Art Eggleton was accused of deploying JTF2 soldiers in Afghanistan without informing the prime minister or the parliament. Even now the Canadian government has refused to accept the deployment of its troops to Afghanistan as a war but instead claims it s a stabilization that is aimed at preventing another terrorist attack like that which occurred on 911. The Canadian forces played a major role in the war. In the operation Anaconda, 3 Canadian snipers broke and re-broke the record set by a US marine in the Vietnam War for a long distance sniper kill. In general, the Canadian forces launched and participated in many operations either on their own or alongside the American forces.

NATOs role in Afghanistan
The main role that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) plays in Afghanistan is to help the government. Through the International Security Assistance Force which is mandated by the United Nations, NATO assists the government of Afghanistan in exercising its authority and extending its influence throughout the country. In doing this, it paves the way for effective and efficient governance and also helps in creating a stable environment for reconstruction and development. Currently there are 80,000 ISAF troops from 44 countries operating under NATO. ISAFs main role in Afghanistan is to provide security and stability and they achieve this through working together with the Afghan authorities. Therefore the ISAF forces acting jointly with the Afghan Security forces conduct security and stability operations in the whole country.  ISAF also plays its role in the improvement, supporting and development of Afghanistan army by training, mentoring and equipping it by providing donations. These donations are usually in terms of small arms, ammunition, uniforms, tanks, and helicopters. To the Afghan Police Force, ISF provides advice, information and guidance. It also provides joint patrol, mentoring and training them in specific skills.

Other roles played by ISAF include
Disarming of the illegally armed groups - ISAF is involved and committed in disarming and collecting all the illegal weapons and ammunition that are owned by armed groups or by individuals. These weapons are then destroyed so as to reduce the risks on the citizens, the police and the ISAF personnel.

 Facilitating ammunition depots managements - NATO is involved in enhancing and providing physical security at the ammunition depots and also in the development of proper ammunition management. This project has been commissioned and supported by ISAF contributing nations including Canada.

Providing post operation assistance - this is aimed at providing immediate humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of ISAF military operations. It includes provision of food, medicines, shelter and reconstruction of the entire affected infrastructure.

Reconstruction and development - this is achieved through Provincial Reconstruction Teams. These teams are involved in providing security where reconstruction work is underway.

Providing security to permit reconstruction of the country- the PRTs provide security to national and international constructors involved in rebuilding Afghanistan.

Provide humanitarian assistance - ISAF soldiers are involved in providing humanitarian aid in conjunction with international organizations and the Afghan government to the villagers. The aid is usually in terms of food, water and medication. They also assist them with winter supplies to help them cope with bad weather conditions during winter.

Assist in governance through the Provincial Reconstructions Teams - this is aimed at strengthening the government institutions and structures in order to maintain rule of law, promote human rights and establish good governance.

Countering Narcotics - ISAF helps the Afghan Police and government in countering narcotics through supporting is counter narcotics operations, sharing information, providing logistic support and conducting public campaign. It also assists the Afghan security force in training it on ways of countering narcotics.

Canadas role in Afghanistan
Being part of NATO Canadas troops are part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Therefore we can conclude that Canada is involved in all the roles listed above. But there are other specific roles that the Canadian government plays directly in Afghanistan. Below are the 6 priorities that Canada has set to achieve in Afghanistan.

Stability - it aims at achieving stability in Afghanistan. It is doing this through conducting training of the Afghan National army. It is also training the police and other government officials.

Development - the Canadian government is aiming at developing Afghanistan by providing and improving the education sector, providing basic services and amenities to the citizens and providing and creating employment opportunities to the unemployed majority.

Security - the Canadian government has committed itself to providing security along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It aims at doing this especially in the Federally Administered Tribal areas that act as the military operation base for the insurgents.

The government is also providing humanitarian aid to refugees who have been displaced by the war.
Canada is committed to promoting democracy by supporting the democratic institutions and processes that have been rendered unstable by the war.

It is targeting at reconciling with former insurgents with an aim of achieving political stability.
The Canadian government has also been involved in what is called signature projects. These projects are based in the Kandahar Province in Afghanistan. These projects undertaken by the Canadian government are as a result of its involvement in the war. They include

Dahla Dam irrigation project - the Canadian government has invested 50 million dollars in this project with an aim of enabling irrigation in the region. This project has created many jobs.
The government has put in 12 million dollars to improve the education sector in the Kandahar region.
It has put another 60 million dollars towards polio eradication in the region. This is aimed at immunization of the many children in the Kandahar region and in Afghanistan as a whole.
Other key roles that Canada has played in Afghanistan include

Has assisted in clearing of around a third of approximately 10 to 15 million mines in the country.
It has loaned money to around 140,000 citizens.

It has helped in training Afghan National Security Force that includes the police and the army.
It is involved in storage and decommissioning of weapons e.g. artillery, tanks and rockets that have been left in Afghanistan and were used in decades of Afghanistan conflict
It is involved in the United Nations Assistance Mission which is a civilian led mission in Afghanistan.

It has initiated a Strategic Advisory Team whose main purpose is to monitor the aspects of the Afghan government on issues concerning defense.

Conclusion
Though there are many critics who oppose the involvement of Canada in the Afghanistan conflict, still its involvement has been of benefit to the Afghanistan nationals. Apart from fighting the insurgents, the Canadian troops are involved in a lot of development activities in the country. Its participation is individually as a country and as a member of NATO. Its main focus is on Kandahar Province and it is trying to keep with the efforts of the international community in getting rid of the insurgents in Afghanistan, maintaining political stability and eliminating international terrorism.