Posted on 11/03/2005 12:51:02 PM PST by NorthOf45
Canada seen as having 'soft belly,' terror expert says: 'Very worthy target'
National Post
Peter Goodspeed
November 3, 2005
One of the world's top counter-terrorism experts has warned Canada to brace itself for a major terrorist attack -- possibly using weapons of mass destruction.
Boaz Ganor, founder of the International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Israel, told a Toronto luncheon yesterday Islamic radicals like Osama bin laden consider Canada "a very soft belly."
"Canada, given its diversity and sense of neutrality, is, if not a primary target, a very worthy target," Dr. Ganor said. "From [the terrorists'] point of view, Canada is one of the pillars of Western society. Canada is regarded as a close ally of the United States. Canada has played an active role in Afghanistan and in the coalition against terrorism."
"Canada is one of the few countries mentioned by bin Laden in his videos [after the Sept.11, 2001, terror attacks] as a potential target," he added. "I think it is the only one" that has not experienced an actual attack.
Canadians are much more aware of the terrorist threat and are better prepared to deal with it than in the past, Dr. Ganor said. But the country still remains vulnerable.
"My feeling is that it is a soft belly. If it is harder to attack in the United States, it is not inconceivable, from the point of view of these guys, to attack Canada."
The threat facing countries like Canada from weapons of mass destruction is even greater than at the height of the Cold War, Dr. Ganor said.
The main aim of terrorism is not to kill or destroy but to maximize anxiety and to put pressure on governments to yield on policy. As a result, radical Islamic terrorists won't hesitate to threaten to use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.
"When asked in an interview years ago if he would ever use non-conventional weapons in his attacks, bin Laden replied that he would regard it as a sin not to use every means at his disposal to, as he put it, defend Muslims from infidels," Dr. Ganor said.
The very diversity Canadians take such pride in may actually leave the country vulnerable to a suicide attack using a second-generation immigrant, the counter-terrorism expert predicted.
"Bin Laden is enamoured with suicide attacks -- the ultimate smart bomb -- which can maximize casualties and damage," he said.
"You can see the appeal of second-generation immigrants -- people who are supposed to be very well blended into the society."
But it is the huge gulf in understanding between modern terrorists and their potential victims that is most dangerous.
"In the Cold War, the antagonists could communicate, but here they couldn't care less. When you have two enemies who operate with a different rationality, you cannot communicate. You cannot threaten. You cannot persuade. You cannot even make concessions, because everything you do will be perceived differently."
Modern Islamic radicals make the most dangerous terrorists because they are driven by a sense of mission.
"When you believe God is sending you on a mission, when what you believe is a divine command, you actually paint the world with two colours -- black and white," he said.
"It is either with us or against us. There is no in-between and there is no room for concessions or negotiations."
Canada given its' IDIOCY is a PERFECT target. Liberals welcome in everything and anything that can vote!! Remember that when Hellary is running for President. She will RUIN your country fast. Liberalism does that WHEREVER it is allowed to operate.
Appeasement means standing by while ruthless dictators commit genocide on their own people. It was the same in Nazi Germany and it was the same with Iraq. This is a very interesting article.
Our enemy may be poorer and less sophisticated as a society, but they have one thing we do not. Resolve. They have it in spades.
Exactly
But they 'care' so much!!!!!
The terrorists should beware or Canada will send it's submarine fleet to work. Oh, wait a minute. I guess the sub burned down.
When I was in the army reserves in the eighties we
also learned how to throw many grenades, fire SMG, use
a rocket launcher, Anti Tank Karl Gustav etc etc.
We also used radios from the vietnam war....lol.
I hope the equipment today is better but somehow I doubt it. Said it before and will say it again..the typical
canadian soldier is superior to the american one but
canada does not have the numbers or technology.
The canadian military needs to merge with the america one right now...more money and more toys.
I'm sure your son is a very fine officer. (I just couldn't help laughing.)
"Our enemy may be poorer and less sophisticated as a society, but they have one thing we do not. Resolve. They have it in spades."
Well stated, Sam. Well stated.
So how do we go about convincing our fellow citizens and northern countrymen that this is what we're up against?
Again, not to be a Nattering Neighbob of Negativity, but I think things need to escalate to a WWII level before most people will "get it." I mean, really...how inconvenienced by this war in Iraq is your avereage Joe Sixpack? Not inconvenience at all, unless he's a relative to the small segment of our population currently fighting over there.
It just saddens me. Why am I made to feel like I'm always crying "Wolf?" Well, the obvious answer is our Media. I'm sick to death of having to ferret out every d@mn fact of the matter myself!
CelticLord wrote:
Said it before and will say it again..the typical
canadian soldier is superior to the american one but
canada does not have the numbers or technology.
I have heard this before. The question is is it true? I am not sure how easy something like this can be verified? I imagine that Canadian troops are very well trained and likely rank in the top 10. But he is right about there being too few.
I'm sure Canada has fine soldiers, but it is only from Canadians that I hear this rapid dismissal of US troops. Canadian troops are superior? Was there some sort of UN survey taken that Canadians point to? Who exactly made this determination? Canadians? While Canada largely sits on the sidelines America is turning out a generation of combat experienced officers and NCOs with multiple combat tours. I'm sure someone will be along to mention snipers and Afghanistan, but one sniper shot does not an Army make.
This high tory foolishness is simply foolishness . A Conservative is called a "tory" in Canada . So we have high conservatives, compared to whom ? And does it matter ? bfd.
canadian soldier is superior to the american one but Canada does not have the numbers or technology.
I think superior is the wrong word . Americans are well known for throwing tons of resources at the individual soldier , (in comparison to other countries) And that's terrific. The best example I can think of off hand is that I have a friend who was an engineer with Patton's 3rd army. He built bridges for Patton and he's told me the waste of bridge building material was horrific. Just too much . And it was left behind because the next crossing had too much . otoh, it got the job done.
The American soldier , from what I understand specializes in one or two specialties, the Canadian in a half dozen or more. That could be a generality based on the days when the US army was drafted when soldiers were in and out after their time rather than being a volunteer who maybe planned on staying as a career, I don't know. I have heard of one fellow who was trained in over 24 specialties. That may not be anything to do with fighting. May be the specialty of supplying clean water or heavy tire repair. Does that make a soldier superior in some way ? I guess it depends on whether or not he's thirsty or how far he has to walk because of a flat tire. ?
I don't think it's a criticism that's meant to be a put down on the willingness or ability to fight or be a good fighter .
I've trained with Canadian troops several times, and while I respectfully dispute with Celtic Lord his statement of Canadian troops being better than American troops, I will most definitely maintain they were at least as good as ours. They LOVE being soldiers, work hard, and, Lord, play hard. Americans couldn't ask for better allies than Canadian troops. (well, ok, and Aussie, Brit and Kiwi troops, too!!!)
It likely is just one of those urban legends that are repeated to make us feel good as Canadians.
Unfortunately in the recent past they got some of the worst posts imaginable – acting as walking targets – I mean “peacekeepers” in places like Bosnia and Rwanda. Thankfully they are finally be used as soldiers in keeping the insurgents under control in Afghanistan.
Yes, it is infuriating how Canada's corrupt politicians have carelessly thrown these fine people into the third world cesspools--much like Clinton did to the US military. Truly, Martin and cronies aren't worthy of licking their boots.
As I said, I don't dispute that Canadians are well trained soldiers, but I don't appreciate the dismissive tone that Canadians take when they proclaim their soldiers are "superior" to US soldiers. As if their is no room for debate on the subject. I'm not sure what the Canadian Forces considers a specialty. If someone is a pay clerk, but goes to the firing range twice a year to fire a machine gun is that considered another specialty as machine gunner? In the US Army, a soldier is trained in their primary specialty, but that job encompasses cross training in a number of areas. For example a kid can join the Army to become an infantryman. That infantryman will also receive training in first aid, how to operate radios, how to perform basic maintenance on humvees and other vehicles etc etc. At the start of his career he may be assigned to a mechanized unit where he will learn the ins and outs of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and a few years later be assigned to the 101st Airborne Division where he will learn all about air assault operations. On paper that soldier has only one specialty...infantryman. He is not considered a medic, a radio operator, or a mechanic, but he has some cross training in all those areas.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.