CDS Walter Natynczyk: A New Hand on the Helm

by Joe Hueglin

"If you're not prepared to argue your corner eloquently, articulately, occasionally aggressively but always clearly, you can't be a CDS or you can't be a commander," these words from Canada's current Chief of Defence Staff, who possessed the qualities he articulated, are necessary for the position from which he is retiring next month. Col. Dan Baggio, who served with Chief of Defence Staff designate Lt. General Walter Natynczyk in Baghdad, and until a few weeks ago, was responsible for army media relations at the Pentagon, describes the personal qualities of Canada's new CDS in these words: "I say this from my heart, I honestly have never heard a harsh word about Walt Natynczyk…. He is not a butt chewer, but a true team player. He had a way of interjecting thoughts so well you thought that they were your own ideas. He was open- minded to guidance from his staff and when he disagreed, he disagreed politely. For me, he is the consummate general officer."

Positions held in Canada, in Korea, the Balkans and Iraq have provided a depth and breadth of experience that have prepared him for the tasks he will be undertaking which include continuing the rebuilding of the human and material capabilities of Canadian Forces and successfully carrying out missions, of which Canada's commitments in Afghanistan is the most important.

His ability to work with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who selected him for the post he is assuming, and Gen. David Petraeus, who runs the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan as the commander of CENTCOM and with whom he shared responsibilities Iraq, will determine whether the last task in his career will be a success.

Michael Byers wrote in the Edmonton Journal: "This country's ability to conduct its own analysis, and make its own decisions, was not curtailed when Parliament voted to extend the mission. Far from it: the fact that our soldiers are losing so much demands constant vigilance, the courage to stand up to allies, and a willingness to reconsider past decisions as new facts present themselves. In Vietnam, the United States' biggest mistake wasn't going to war, but stubbornly persisting as long as it did. "

Maj.-Gen. Rick Formica, director of force management for the U.S. army, said of Natynczyk: "He is very, very strategically and operationally savvy." It is this quality together with his way of interjecting thoughts so well you thought that they were your own ideas cited by Col. Dan Baggio which will determine whether adjustment is made to new facts that are presenting themselves in Afghanistan. The insurgents are not being defeated, they are extending their operations up to and including attacking President Hamid Karzai on a grandstand in Kabul. Canada's last two battle deaths were as a result of gunfire in skirmishes not to improvised explosive devices as has been the general cause (to be accurate the last one fell in a well). Fire fights are won most often through calling in air strikes. The cost, however, is collateral damage such as killed and wounded civilians which creates an honour debt that supports the insurgency.

The United States and its coalition allies in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and the International Security Assistance Force have two choices: persisting in fighting a war that cannot be won on the battlefield or following the opinion of Dr. Steven Metz stated in his monograph Rethinking Insurgency. The course being followed, that of supporting the national government that was created centred on President Karzai, is not succeeding. The alternative advanced by Dr. Metz is that of reaching for an "outcome which integrates most of the insurgents into the national power structure".

Syed Saleem Shahzad the Asia Times online's Pakistan Bureau Chief shares Metz view, suggesting action be encouraged by "leading Muslim countries which still have influence over the Taliban, notably Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. If the Western coalition gives leeway to such countries to play a major role and at a later stage even replace NATO with Organization of Islamic Conference forces, a consensus government of the northern and southern forces could emerge." As Canadian Chief of Defence Staff, Walter Natynczyk, having the confidence of American Command Staff is in the position to press eloquently, articulately, occasionally aggressively, but always clearly that this change of direction be taken.

It is uncertain whether he will choose to do so and even if he does he will succeed in shifting the direction of the American ship of state from its current course. What is certain, however, is that without this change of direction by 2011, as he ends his third year as Chief of Defence Staff, the Parliament of Canada will once more be forced to decide whether to stay the course or withdraw Canadian Forces from Afghanistan.

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