Wise words from a man having seen this horror in action.  Reenactments of actual encounters with child terrorists.  What has worked in diffusing a lethal skirmish, and recognizing the indicators of when there is no choice but to use lethal force. 

The PM should be thinking long and hard about Canada's involvement as well as the impossible goal of peace keeping in dealing with al qaeda's murderous intent.  It is the previous government's policy of peace enforcement that is required in a lawless region where al qaeda has been free to engage in mass murder, theft, extortion, kidnapping, slavery, destruction of property- the worst crimes imaginable.  There is no coming to terms with them.  Their goal is to kill Canadian soldiers by any means necessary, including the use of children indoctrinated into their terrorism.  The intent is to bring about an end to this barbarism, not come to terms with it or giving it standing, ergo legitimacy.  Without this mandate, there is no point in going.