Originally
posted by
Pang:
if the US wasn't such a beacon of hatred we probably wouldn't be targeted at all. your premise is flawed from the start; that's why I didn't really respond to it.
it's not like Canada has a major strategic interest in the middle east beyond supporting our allies.
you wouldnt be targeted at all? you do not have western ideals? religions that doesnt match up with theirs? you might not be targeted immediately, but left unchecked you would ultimately be targeted.
if you want to start following this line of logic we will go back thousands of years assigning blame. If the US hadnt done this, if the british hadnt done that, if the ottomans hadnt invaded these people, etc
religious extremists have existed for a long time, and they will exist for a long time coming. blaming a country that has only been around for 250 years is rich. maybe we havnt made the correct decision 100% of the time, but i firmly believe more good than harm has been done.
as for canada's strategic interests, do you conduct no world wide trade that passes through the region? no concern for the safety of your citizens in world wide travel? a stabilized middle east, or atleast one with less extremists, benefits the planet as a whole, not just your allies.