I'd separate the two. Winning seats on the Security Council is tougher than the constituencies most of us have run into, and odd factors apply.
On initiatives, the importance of initiatives from Canada's perspective is that we do have credentials that other countries don't have, but we can't be taking those initiatives for Canadian reasons. It can't be a Canadian action for action's sake. It has to be a Canadian response to a real need. If, as may well be the case, there is a real need for a balanced, respected group that could plan the next steps in Afghanistan, then yes, Canada should be taking an active role because we have experience on the ground--very strong experience on the ground--but also because we have a credibility beyond the countries that have experience on the ground that might make a contribution. But don't do it unless it's necessary.