International financial institutions close ranks against Russia as global partners ‘get creative’
The strength of Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion surprised international leaders, says Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and spurred them to “get creative” with unprecedented economic sanctions that are intended to cut Russia off from the global economy. Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) told a March 3 press conference that the Canadian government’s goal was to show […]
Putin’s digital aggression is backfiring in Ukraine
The Russian blitzkrieg in Ukraine has not gone according to plan. While force of arms might ultimately prevail in an unequal match, Vladimir Putin’s old-fashioned industrial-age war of steel, iron, and blood has met ferocious resistance from the Ukrainian military. The accompanying Russian disinformation or propaganda campaign has also badly floundered. To conduct disinformation in […]
Inside out or outside in: no nucleus ID’d as far-right influences spread through and from Canada
The boundaries are blurry when it comes to how Canada’s far right and alt-right—terms that experts define differently—influence and are influenced by their international counterparts, in terms of where and how movements and ideas begin and develop. The recent trucker convoy protests in Ottawa, which spread to cities throughout Canada and around the world, are […]
The 70-year nightmare materializes: a madman with nukes
OTTAWA—This will be the end of Vladimir Putin. It’s just a question of how long it takes and how many thousands (millions?) of people he takes down with him. World leaders struggling to contain the Russian dictator’s reckless attack on Ukraine are trying to avoid talking about it out loud. But it’s obvious Putin is […]
Canada and allies push to isolate Moscow at the UN as Russia’s veto curbs response
As collective action addressing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council has been stymied due to Moscow’s veto, Canada and global allies are using a rare General Assembly special session in hopes to further isolate Russia in the court of world public opinion. After Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine last week, numerous […]
Crisis in Ukraine offers politicians an unexpected reprieve
OTTAWA—What anxious and challenging times we live in. From the two-year long pandemic, to the recent occupation of Ottawa, to—potentially the most frightening of all—the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is a grim time to be hopeful. Though inspiration can be found from watching the proud citizens of Ukraine fight bravely street corner by street […]
Latvia wants ‘more Canada’ in face of renewed Russian invasion, says departing envoy
Since starting his post in 2016, outgoing Latvian Ambassador Kārlis Eihenbaums says the relationship between Ottawa and Riga has grown to be a “very close” one, which he noted was fostered by Canada leading a NATO deployment in Latvia—becoming increasingly important after Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine. Latvia is separated from Ukraine by Belarus along […]
Is Canadian political discourse f*cked?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been targeted by a variety of products cursing and denouncing him, and as a result, experts say it’s clear discourse is becoming more provocative and polarized. “The bubble has been burst that we’re a polite society, clearly the Americanization of politics has landed in Canada and the question is whether […]
Anti-nuclear arms treaty looking better every day
As Russian aggression against Ukraine ramped up over the last few weeks, the phrase “Cold War” was thrown around with increasing frequency. But as recent events should make alarmingly clear, conversations about nuclear arms should be situated firmly in the present, not couched in a history lesson. On Feb. 28, U.S. President Joe Biden said […]
The United Nations and the real world order
LONDON, U.K.—Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine last week, many people have expressed their shock and horror at Vladimir Putin’s violation of international law and the death of the “rules-based world order,” but there’s actually no reason for surprise. Those people just never understood what the rules really were. George Orwell got it right in […]
