| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Security meant holding the Soviet Union militarily and politically at bay so that behind the shield afforded by American power, western Europe, with West Germany firmly entrenched in a liberaldemocraticmarket-economic community, could recover, flourish, and never threaten anyone again. And so NATO did all three things, making it one of the most successful alliances in history. Canadian diplomats and politicians who heard Ismay's formulation no doubt agreed with it. Canada had a fundamental interest in European security. During the 20th century, Canada saw as vital to its interests the prevention of any single power from dominating Europe-first Germany, against which Canada went to war twice, and then the Soviet Union. Today, Canada has a fundamental interest in defeating Islamist terror. To this end, Canada is playing a leading role in NATO's efforts in Afghanistan.
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