Hey, who says we’re not pulling our weight?
Finland has decided to send more forces to Afghanistan. The Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy, along with President Tarja Halonen, decided on Friday that Finland should increase its current deployment of about 120 soldiers by more than 50.
Certainly a positive move from Finland. There’s a dire need for more military resources in Afghanistan, and this will hopefully send a signal to other “small states” to contribute additional resources as well as encourage the view that Afghanistan is not a lost cause.
However, it’s a problematic move in a sense that a country like Finland has very little pull when it comes to nation-building in Afghanistan. As such, I can see the question “why should Finland contribute more military personnel when there is little progress in the nation-building project” emerge, especially considering that next year is an election year. After all, it is highly unlikely that the country will be pacified through military force, and significant political progress in Afghanistan is unlikely for the near future.
Anyhow, my respects to Foreign Minister Stubb and all the Finnish politicians who will not use this as an opportunity to score cheap political points.
Sigh.
Don’t feel bad. It’s one fighting season that I don’t doubt will seem longeeeeerrrrrr….
Longer.
Then it’s FID (Foreign Internal Defense).
I am sure your 170 will acquit themselves well. It could be 1.7 million I think and not much will really change.