[Alberta's Child]

Prudence and experience suggest that the Canadian Forces will be ordered to do in the next 10 years the same types of things that it has done in the past 10 years -- providing small and medium land, sea, and air combat units to use coercive means to help stabilize unruly parts of the world.

A nation that is incapable of defending itself is ine big trouble. A nation that cannot "help stabilize unruly parts of the world" is probably doing itself a favor.

[Cicero]

On the surface you're right, but look a little deeper. As far as Canada's national security is concerned, it's essential that it should remain on good terms with the U.S. and Europe. Remaining on good terms with the U.S. and Europe means joining in with them in their military activities, so that if at any time Canada has a security need her allies will be willing to help out in return.

Otherwise, it becomes a one way street, with Canada demanding to be protected but never helping to protect others. That results in increasing resentment.

Tony Blair understands this. The basic reason he joined us in Iraq was not that he thought the war was a good idea but because Britain's security interests demanded staying on good terms with the U.S. That means being perceived as a loyal ally, willing to carry a share of the load. Otherwise, your former allies will begin to look at you the way they look at France. All take and no give.