On Friday, May 29^th, from 1:00 – 2:30 at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences Book Fair, editors Steven Staples and Lucia Kowaluk will be launching their newest book, Afghanistan and Canada: Is There an Alternative to the War?

In the last seven years, thousands of troops and billions of dollars in foreign aid have been directed to Afghanistan to fight a war with no end in sight. Thousands of military and civilian casualties, rampant corruption, a flourishing opium trade, and an ever-growing Taliban insurgency have been the result. In Canada, growing public concern has emerged, with public opinion polls showing a majority of Canadians want the military involvement in Afghanistan as currently defined to end.

Counting Pierre Beaudet, Walter Dorn, and Peggy Mason among its many contributors, Afghanistan and Canada brings together leading voices on these issues, reviewing the conflict and critically examining Canada’s role within it. Shifts in Canadian domestic and foreign policy, an expanding armed forces, and the role of women in the conflict are all thoughtfully addressed. Most importantly, possible alternatives to the current situation are debated, bringing hope for a reprieve for a beleaguered nation.

Be sure to join Staples and Kowaluk on the 29^th for the book launch and an engaging discussion on Canada and its involvement in Afghanistan. The Book Fair is located in the Fieldhouse at Carleton University, with the launch to be held in the lounge area.