Brig. Gen. Daniel Menard, speaks with local Afghan journalists, in Kandahar Afghanistan, on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Jonathan MontpetitCanada's Counter-Insurgency Experiment Get Blessing From Top General -- Canadian Press
BELANDAY, Afghanistan — When Capt. Jean Vachon's lost dog came back, the war against Taliban insurgents in Kandahar suddenly didn't seem so hopeless after all.
Vachon's platoon had moved into Belanday, a small town southwest of Kandahar city, as part of an experiment by military brass to have troops leave their fortified bases and live among the population.
In Belanday, the Canadians quickly adopted one of the town's stray dogs as part of their effort to reach out to locals.
"One day she went missing, and we thought... she's going to come back to us in pieces as a warning," Vachon said.
"But no, the villagers brought her back to us."
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My Comment: I know people who are serving in the Van Doos .... and some of them have voiced a different view point to what is happening there. Still ... from my point of view the Canadian experience has been successful. Long term commitment and the willingness to spend the necessary funds will make a difference in what is the hotbed of the Taliban insurgency .... but like it said .... it will take time, blood, and treasure to succeed .... resources that are in short supply today.