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Despite a history of peacekeeping efforts in the Balkans, Cyprus, and elsewhere, Afghanistan has been Canada’s first encounter with significant combat since the Korean War. The mission has been controversial at home and dynamic in Afghanistan. We have seen significant variations in what the Canadians have been willing and able to do, moving from the days of so-called Can’tbats1 to being among the most-forward leaning contingents in one of the most dangerous sectors and then back to its former status. Specifically, there have been four distinct phases in Canada’s military effort in Afghanistan: