My Drift into Quiet Anti-Americanism

I fought a war alongside the US and learned a few things

Almost half my career was defined by the War in Afghanistan. I was involved in a leadership role or as a major planner from the very beginning until the final Canadian decision to withdraw. I saw friends killed and injured. I deployed myself—twice, once embedded with the Americans. I was injured.

And it was, from beginning to end, an American war. Canada didn’t have to be there. No supreme national interest was at stake. We could have shrugged and said, “Over to you.” Yet we spent blood and treasure—and years of effort—to support the U.S. in a war in which we had very little voice and almost no influence.

Many of my friends left the conflict with an affinity for Americans. They admired the massive resources the U.S. possessed and their willingness to employ force at the drop of a hat. Some came home with an American outlook and American prejudices, bringing that mindset into the Canadian Army’s culture and training. They still have this affinity, translating it into knee-jerk support for the U.S. and, sadly, for the U.S. right wing. At times, they seem to support America over their own country.

My *personal* experience was different. My first deployment was very early in the conflict, embedded with the Americans. To say I was shocked is an understatement. U.S. military culture is dramatically different from Canada’s and is arguably one of the biggest differences remaining between our two countries. I was baffled by the prevalence of Christian nationalism, casual racism, and a xenophobic mindset that prevailed no matter how closely we worked together. I was mocked for being a Canadian soldier (disbelieving Americans were shocked we even had an army), denied access to critical intelligence material due to NOFORN caveats (despite possessing a very high Five Eyes security clearance valid in the U.S.), and had our contributions belittled and ignored.

Often, the leadership surprised me by being willing to express political views to their subordinates and by how often religion intruded on day-to-day activities. I was admonished for not participating in the morning prayer group before orders. The “patriotism” was all-pervasive and grating; one can only take so much Lee Greenwood and Toby Keith.

Yet, ultimately, Canada decided to persevere with the war, first in Kabul Province and then in the hotbed of Kandahar, where Canada was left holding the bag for a period after the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. Throughout it all, the U.S. made no secret of the fact that it was an American war and that they alone would decide on strategy.

Yet there we were, fighting alongside them.

I’ll be the first to acknowledge that many Canadians had a legitimately positive experience with the Americans. I encountered U.S. soldiers who were intensely grateful we were there - one to the point of tears (this was just after Sept 11, remember) - and made a genuine effort to include Canadians as a full part of the team. I met people with whom I formed a bond that has lasted for decades. However, institutionally, the ingratitude and dismissiveness were overwhelming. To the institution, and to some Americans, we were never big enough or good enough, no matter how effective we were on the battlefield.

My impressions were compounded by experiences at domestic planning conferences, exercise planning sessions with my U.S. counterparts, and several odd incidents while travelling on vacation. Ever been accosted by a Trump supporter accusing Canada of running “death panels”? I have.

All this left me with a suspicion of the U.S. that often wasn’t shared by my peers. To be sure, I loved my trips to the States and encountered warm, welcoming people at every turn. The best Americans are among the best people in the world. But there was always this nagging feeling— with the rolling of eyes, the stereotypes, and the treatment of Canada as a bit of a joke. The reminders that they could take us over at any time. It was all a good laugh—until it wasn’t.

So, I’ll admit that I’m not overly surprised at the rhetoric from Trump and at what could be an existential threat to Canada’s independence. It’s just an extension of the “jokes” I’d heard for years and of MAGA’s sometimes-stated intent to “liberate” us from “tyranny.” It’s rhetoric that’s made even more offensive by the fact that they know next to nothing about Canada and don’t care to learn.

All this has left me angry, resentful, and steeling myself for a fight. It is a fight that should be led by our political leadership. Alas, they’re mired in childish name-calling, hyperpartisanship, and dysfunction. Years of ignoring national security, defence, and foreign policy are about to cost us dearly. It’ll be up to all Canadians, with quiet but resolute patriotism, to hold the line and to stand up for the country. Our sovereignty and economic well-being will depend on them.