Canada needs to help out in Syria

The deteriorating Middle East situation will worsen if U.S. troops are pulled out of Syria. No U.S. troops on the ground in Syria will put more pressure on Israel. Russia’s Putin is always searching for weaknesses to exploit.

I believe Canada must act quickly; with Trump pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, Canada could gain a lot of credibility by moving an Infantry Battalion battle group into the vacuum caused by the American departure. Using the same kinds of equipment, the Canadians could lease the American equipment. It makes no sense to airlift Canadian armoured-personnel carriers APCs, when the same (U.S.) vehicles are on the ground.

The Kurds must be protected. The entire world knows what the Turks, Russians, Syrians, Iraqis and Iranians have in mind for the Kurds if they are left unprotected by NATO troops.

Canada and Israel are serious allies, Canada should be in that part of the world; a serious Canadian presence in the Middle East will remind friend and foe (Russia, Syria and Iran) to forget about the thoughts of pushing Israel into the sea.

If Canada contributes such a unit, NATO headquarters could establish a credible force. If my proposal is correct, a German Army Brigade headquarters could lead a NATO task force; NATO member nations could send either a rifle company or a support (heavy weapons) company.

German army officers and NCOs speak English. The Germans have been the serious NATO partners for a very long time. West Germany joined NATO on a contingency basis in 1955, while Russia was repatriating Second World War German prisoners of war.

In 1964, West Germany became a full NATO partner, contributing 500,000 troops (army, navy and air force) with 10 million troops in reserve.

Until a few months ago, Canadian troops were training the Kurds. The Canadians would be respected; the NATO Turks would not be happy; for the past year they have been cosying up to Russia’s Vladimir Putin; they have signed agreements with Russia, their joint signatures are just short of declaring an alliance.

Besides, Canadian NATO troops at an Infantry Battalion Battle Group strength in Syria would indicate to friend and foe that NATO was serious about protecting the Kurds while stabilizing the Middle East.