Commentary Canadian commentators have been scathing in their assessment of the disparity between Justin Trudeau’s lofty Ukraine-related rhetoric—“unwavering and steadfast support”—and the sad reality of aid Canada can deliver: not enough, and much of it unfit for purpose. In assessing the embarrassment of our present military enfeeblement relative to past engagements, the National Post’s John Ivison alluded to an “air of despair” that is shared by “many members of the Canadian Forces.” Despair? More precisely, the war against Ukraine has caused disappointment.  “Despair” is a condition that emerges over time in a military. Declining recruitment is its primary symptom. In the last decade, several federal audits have identified serious recruitment failures in the Canadian Armed Forces. The army, navy, and air force are currently estimated to be short by 7,000 recruits. “It has been a challenge,” said then-deputy defence minister John Forster at a 2017 hearing of the Commons public …