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Erika Simpson

Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 22, 2023
A CC-177 Globemaster arrives in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, on Feb. 13, 2016. The rapid pace of climate change means that mounting threats other than Russia and China need urgent attention, writes Erika Simpson. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 22, 2023
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 22, 2023
A CC-177 Globemaster arrives in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, on Feb. 13, 2016. The rapid pace of climate change means that mounting threats other than Russia and China need urgent attention, writes Erika Simpson. DND photograph by MCpl Louis Brunet
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | August 17, 2023
More people are rejecting the idea that men at the apex of power, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, should control the fate of billions of people with one person’s decision to use nukes, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | August 17, 2023
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | August 17, 2023
More people are rejecting the idea that men at the apex of power, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, should control the fate of billions of people with one person’s decision to use nukes, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | July 6, 2023
An aerial view of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station—the world's largest nuclear generating station—on the shore of Lake Huron, near Kincardine, Ont. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | July 6, 2023
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | July 6, 2023
An aerial view of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station—the world's largest nuclear generating station—on the shore of Lake Huron, near Kincardine, Ont. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | June 29, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Caught in a prisoner’s dilemma—with no satisfactory choices—Prigozhin is a former convict who led a private army including thousands of prisoners who remain desperate with little to lose, writes Erika Simpson. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/illustration by Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | June 29, 2023
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | June 29, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Caught in a prisoner’s dilemma—with no satisfactory choices—Prigozhin is a former convict who led a private army including thousands of prisoners who remain desperate with little to lose, writes Erika Simpson. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/illustration by Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, with Defence Minister Anita Anand. Last week, Trudeau's government committed $62.3-billion in new military spending over the next 20 years, including its purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 24, 2023
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, with Defence Minister Anita Anand. Last week, Trudeau's government committed $62.3-billion in new military spending over the next 20 years, including its purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 13, 2023
An anti-nuclear sign on a farm in South Bruce, Ont., next to the proposed site of a deep geological repository for nuclear waste. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization should consider other options, such as a rolling stewardship model, which actively plans for retrieval and periodic repackaging of nuclear waste, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Michelle Stein
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 13, 2023
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 13, 2023
An anti-nuclear sign on a farm in South Bruce, Ont., next to the proposed site of a deep geological repository for nuclear waste. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization should consider other options, such as a rolling stewardship model, which actively plans for retrieval and periodic repackaging of nuclear waste, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Michelle Stein
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | October 26, 2022
Chinese President Xi Jinping has been proclaimed for a third term in power along with six men who now make up the totalitarian party’s internal leadership cabal. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | October 26, 2022
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | October 26, 2022
Chinese President Xi Jinping has been proclaimed for a third term in power along with six men who now make up the totalitarian party’s internal leadership cabal. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | October 10, 2022
Last month, Putin’s thinly veiled nuclear threat as he ordered a partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists stated that Russia would “use all the means at our disposal” to defend its territory, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Flickr
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | October 10, 2022
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | October 10, 2022
Last month, Putin’s thinly veiled nuclear threat as he ordered a partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists stated that Russia would “use all the means at our disposal” to defend its territory, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Flickr
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | July 6, 2022
At last week's NATO Summit, the military alliance agreed on a new strategic concept, which NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, pictured on June 30 in Madrid, called 'the blueprint for NATO into the future, more dangerous world.' Photograph courtesy of NATO
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | July 6, 2022
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | July 6, 2022
At last week's NATO Summit, the military alliance agreed on a new strategic concept, which NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, pictured on June 30 in Madrid, called 'the blueprint for NATO into the future, more dangerous world.' Photograph courtesy of NATO
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | May 4, 2022
Latvian President Egils Levits, left, Canada's Minister of Defence Anita Anand, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Ādaži Military Base on March 8, 2022. The war in Ukraine finally pushed Canada to commit about $8-billion in new military spending in the 2022 Budget, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | May 4, 2022
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | May 4, 2022
Latvian President Egils Levits, left, Canada's Minister of Defence Anita Anand, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Ādaži Military Base on March 8, 2022. The war in Ukraine finally pushed Canada to commit about $8-billion in new military spending in the 2022 Budget, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | February 24, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Feb. 24, along with Defence Minister Anita Anand, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, reacting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is time for the U.S. and Russia to return to the bargaining table and negotiate another type of Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, writes Erika Simpson, and in the aftermath, Canada should have no hesitation in helping the European allies build up their conventional forces, but not their nuclear forces. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | February 24, 2022
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | February 24, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Feb. 24, along with Defence Minister Anita Anand, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, reacting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is time for the U.S. and Russia to return to the bargaining table and negotiate another type of Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, writes Erika Simpson, and in the aftermath, Canada should have no hesitation in helping the European allies build up their conventional forces, but not their nuclear forces. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | December 22, 2021
A Canadian military training instructor demonstrates a magazine loading technique to Ukrainian soldiers during Operation Unifier in Starychi, Ukraine in 2017. NATO continues to send more forces including members of the Canadian Armed Forces to Operation Reassurance in Central and Eastern Europe in order to signal its willingness to deter and reinforce NATO’s collective defence, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | December 22, 2021
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | December 22, 2021
A Canadian military training instructor demonstrates a magazine loading technique to Ukrainian soldiers during Operation Unifier in Starychi, Ukraine in 2017. NATO continues to send more forces including members of the Canadian Armed Forces to Operation Reassurance in Central and Eastern Europe in order to signal its willingness to deter and reinforce NATO’s collective defence, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 24, 2021
Afghan women, pictured May 7, 2012, lining up at a UN World Food Program Distribution Point in Herat, Afghanistan. The onerous 14-year military commitment by Canada to Afghanistan means we need to spearhead emergency solutions for Afghanistan’s bereft citizens, before millions of deaths occur this winter due to famine and mass starvation, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/United Nations/Eric Kanalstein
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 24, 2021
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 24, 2021
Afghan women, pictured May 7, 2012, lining up at a UN World Food Program Distribution Point in Herat, Afghanistan. The onerous 14-year military commitment by Canada to Afghanistan means we need to spearhead emergency solutions for Afghanistan’s bereft citizens, before millions of deaths occur this winter due to famine and mass starvation, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/United Nations/Eric Kanalstein
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | August 25, 2021
A British Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter pictured firing flares over Afghanistan in 2015. Western University professor Erika Simpson, who initially advised colleagues to take any form of transportation available to them to get out of Kabul and into India or Pakistan, now says that's too dangerous. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | August 25, 2021
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | August 25, 2021
A British Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter pictured firing flares over Afghanistan in 2015. Western University professor Erika Simpson, who initially advised colleagues to take any form of transportation available to them to get out of Kabul and into India or Pakistan, now says that's too dangerous. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 21, 2021
Afghan national police and army personnel and U.S. army soldiers patrol in July 2009 in Zabul province, Afghanistan. Photograph courtesy of the U.S. Army
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 21, 2021
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 21, 2021
Afghan national police and army personnel and U.S. army soldiers patrol in July 2009 in Zabul province, Afghanistan. Photograph courtesy of the U.S. Army
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 12, 2021
A Canadian military training instructor demonstrates a magazine loading technique to Ukrainian soldiers during Operation Unifier in Starychi, Ukraine in 2017. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 12, 2021
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 12, 2021
A Canadian military training instructor demonstrates a magazine loading technique to Ukrainian soldiers during Operation Unifier in Starychi, Ukraine in 2017. Photograph courtesy of the Department of National Defence
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | February 22, 2021
The last Canadians involved in the NATO training mission in Afghanistan board an American Chinook helicopter on March 12, 2014 as they leave Kabul, Afghanistan. Conditions-based negotiations, renewed and smaller NATO troop commitments, as well as a commission that disarms the parties could lead to success in Afghanistan over time, writes Erika Simpson. Canadian Armed Forces photograph by Patrick Blanchard
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | February 22, 2021
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | February 22, 2021
The last Canadians involved in the NATO training mission in Afghanistan board an American Chinook helicopter on March 12, 2014 as they leave Kabul, Afghanistan. Conditions-based negotiations, renewed and smaller NATO troop commitments, as well as a commission that disarms the parties could lead to success in Afghanistan over time, writes Erika Simpson. Canadian Armed Forces photograph by Patrick Blanchard
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | January 25, 2021
Canada's UN ambassador to the UN Bob Rae, pictured in a file photograph, and the Trudeau government face calls to consider the humanitarian impact of use of nuclear weapons and to sign onto the UN ban treaty. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | January 25, 2021
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | January 25, 2021
Canada's UN ambassador to the UN Bob Rae, pictured in a file photograph, and the Trudeau government face calls to consider the humanitarian impact of use of nuclear weapons and to sign onto the UN ban treaty. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | January 14, 2021
Prosecutors expect to arrest hundreds tied to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Barricades have been set up to fortify security on the Capitol in anticipation of further unrest leading up to Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20. Flickr photograph by Victoria Pickering
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | January 14, 2021
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | January 14, 2021
Prosecutors expect to arrest hundreds tied to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Barricades have been set up to fortify security on the Capitol in anticipation of further unrest leading up to Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20. Flickr photograph by Victoria Pickering
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | January 7, 2021
A mob of Trump loyalists stormed and breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congressional leaders convened to certify the victory of Joe Biden. Screen capture via NBC's YouTube channel
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | January 7, 2021
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | January 7, 2021
A mob of Trump loyalists stormed and breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congressional leaders convened to certify the victory of Joe Biden. Screen capture via NBC's YouTube channel
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 25, 2020
Members of the 6 Mobile Strike Force Kandak move into position during their validation exercise at the Consolidated Fielding Centre, Kabul, Afghanistan during Operation ATTENTION on Sept. 2, 2013. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces, by Sgt. James Funk
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 25, 2020
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 25, 2020
Members of the 6 Mobile Strike Force Kandak move into position during their validation exercise at the Consolidated Fielding Centre, Kabul, Afghanistan during Operation ATTENTION on Sept. 2, 2013. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces, by Sgt. James Funk
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | June 17, 2020
Canada failed to secure enough votes for a Security Council seat, losing to Norway and Ireland on June 17. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | June 17, 2020
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | June 17, 2020
Canada failed to secure enough votes for a Security Council seat, losing to Norway and Ireland on June 17. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and International Development Minister Karina Gould. In February, Trump proposed slashing 21 per cent of foreign aid, while Canada recently quietly announced $159.5-million in humanitarian aid to a plethora of worthy organizations. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks, The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and International Development Minister Karina Gould. In February, Trump proposed slashing 21 per cent of foreign aid, while Canada recently quietly announced $159.5-million in humanitarian aid to a plethora of worthy organizations. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks, The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 8, 2020
The United Nations Security Council has not been able to schedule face-to-face emergency summits because physically convening all UN-recognized countries to discuss realistic strategies for quarantining citizens creates problems, especially in New York City, and at international ports of entry. Flickr photograph by Michelle Lee
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 8, 2020
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 8, 2020
The United Nations Security Council has not been able to schedule face-to-face emergency summits because physically convening all UN-recognized countries to discuss realistic strategies for quarantining citizens creates problems, especially in New York City, and at international ports of entry. Flickr photograph by Michelle Lee
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 20, 2019
Soldiers in the 20th CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) Command are pictured at the U.S. Army's Yongsan Garrison in South Korea. The American government and NATO allies have spent billions on preparing against possible attacks from biological weapons since 2001—Canada needs to spend more, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of U.S. Army
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 20, 2019
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 20, 2019
Soldiers in the 20th CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) Command are pictured at the U.S. Army's Yongsan Garrison in South Korea. The American government and NATO allies have spent billions on preparing against possible attacks from biological weapons since 2001—Canada needs to spend more, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of U.S. Army
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 10, 2019
An aerial view of the Bruce Power site in the Municipality of Kincardine in Ontario. SNC-Lavalin is part of a consortium awarded the centrepiece of Bruce Power’s Major Component Replacement project, which is set to extend the life of six reactors over 13 years starting in 2020. Photograph courtesy of Bruce Power
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 10, 2019
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | April 10, 2019
An aerial view of the Bruce Power site in the Municipality of Kincardine in Ontario. SNC-Lavalin is part of a consortium awarded the centrepiece of Bruce Power’s Major Component Replacement project, which is set to extend the life of six reactors over 13 years starting in 2020. Photograph courtesy of Bruce Power
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 22, 2017
Western University political science professor Robert Young died Aug. 15 after a career in which he touched the lives and work of many, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Western University
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 22, 2017
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | November 22, 2017
Western University political science professor Robert Young died Aug. 15 after a career in which he touched the lives and work of many, writes Erika Simpson. Photograph courtesy of Western University
Opinion | BY BILL KIDD, ERIKA SIMPSON | June 22, 2016
A Trident submarine heads out from its base in Scotland in August 2007. Britain’s nuclear-armed subs are in need of replacement, which could cost 167 billion pounds. Flickr photograph by JohnED76
Opinion | BY BILL KIDD, ERIKA SIMPSON | June 22, 2016
Opinion | BY BILL KIDD, ERIKA SIMPSON | June 22, 2016
A Trident submarine heads out from its base in Scotland in August 2007. Britain’s nuclear-armed subs are in need of replacement, which could cost 167 billion pounds. Flickr photograph by JohnED76