The danger of backing an adversary into a corner: why most of the world is adopting a restrained approach to the war in Ukraine
FREDERICTON—The war in the Ukraine has led to numerous commentaries that depict the conflict as a moral challenge or opportunity for the West. These commentaries gloss over the complexity of the conflict and encourage the West to learn exactly the wrong lessons. The major cause of the Ukraine war is NATO’s expansion to Russia’s borders. […]
Politics This Morning: The Liberals may have to look beyond the NDP for support to increase defence spending
Good Wednesday morning, ANTHONY ROTA, the Speaker of the House of Commons, underwent scheduled bypass surgery on Monday at the Health Sciences North hospital in Sudbury. Rota’s director of communications informed the media yesterday that Rota was “resting comfortably and doing well.” The House of Commons and the Senate are both sitting today, and the […]
Canada is not a mere ‘convenor’ and never was
MONTREAL—Mélanie Joly is a disgrace. When she was chosen as foreign minister in October, bumping the calm and unflappable Marc Garneau, the response was astonishment, bordering on shock. In her previous post in charge of Canada’s economic development agencies, official languages, and tourism, she had hardly shone. Her major “oeuvre” was a new Official Languages […]
Don’t give the paper tiger any teeth
OTTAWA—The more that I watch the events unfold in Ukraine, offset against the domestic reaction here in Canada, I cannot help but wonder if I am missing something? We all watched in horror on Feb. 24 when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his “special military operation” and the Russian army began their invasion of Ukraine. […]
To join or not to join: Finland’s security policy under review
Like so many others, I was shocked on Feb. 24 to witness the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The world had of course followed the buildup of Russian troops near the borders of Ukraine and we heard President Vladimir Putin’s assurances that he would not invade Ukraine. We were all totally fooled and the […]
Increased military presence in the North could provide much-needed infrastructure to the region: MPs, experts
Northern MPs are open to the idea of an increased military presence in the Arctic, and say they could see the benefit of sinking military dollars into the remote region, insofar as it would have the side effect of improving infrastructure for locals. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine has some in Canada worried […]
Lack of leadership to unite Canadians could bring in American-style divisive politics in Canada, warn political insiders
The lack of leadership at the federal level to unite Canadian could bring in American-style divisive politics in the country which means politics will be a lot more about emotion and less about finding the best way forward, warn political insiders. “It means we move along to the same path, the Americans have moved on […]
Russia expert urges Western authorities to look beyond financial facilitators and into reputation management
The Canadian government and its allies have launched what has been called “a multinational treasure hunt” for the assets of Russian elites. And Canada’s financial intelligence unit, FINTRAC, is working with its counterparts across the G7 and beyond to support the ongoing sanctions against Russia. Western authorities are now targeting individuals and firms that have […]
Ukraine has brought us to another crossroads for humanity
EDMONTON—It’s a safe bet Canada’s defence spending will get a huge boost in the federal budget soon to be presented to Parliament. Defence Minister Anita Anand, reeling from the demands of the Ukraine war, is openly campaigning for more money and will present “aggressive options” to cabinet. The NATO leadership is demanding more resources, and […]
Spike in NATO member defence spending warrants closer look
For decades, Western powers have promised Ukrainians a lifelong insurance policy by signing up with NATO. Ukraine fell for it, though that membership never came. The country even changed its constitution to include a clause to join NATO. Then Russia invaded. Instead of safety and security, Ukraine got death and devastation. Despite their performative posturing, […]
