When Canada joined the US and other NATO allies in Afghanistan in 2002, the aim was to capture Osama bin Laden and shut down terrorist camps in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
But things didn’t go as planned. Bin Laden found refuge in neighbouring Pakistan. The Taliban proved to be formidable opponents and the débâcle became Canada’s longest military engagement, costing nearly $20 billion. So far, 156 Canadian soldiers have been killed and more than 1,500 wounded. Afghan casualties have been much higher: nearly 3,000 civilians were killed in 2010, the deadliest year in the current conflict.
