Global Security

Iran as sequel? Another bomb

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:16:16 +0000

Pull Quote:

We should not allow ourselves to be stampeded into supporting a war on arbitrary timelines and hyped intelligence. Those who cannot remember history are condemned to repeat it.

As Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations from 2000 to 2004, I had a front-row seat for the march to war in Iraq. Now the target is Iran, and I have the sinking feeling that I have seen this movie before. The ending isn’t happy.

Syrian crisis first tough test of diplomacy under Stephen Harper

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:22:03 +0000

OTTAWA—It was a leaden grey November day, not even three months ago.

CF-18 fighter jets along with massive transport and refuelling planes flew over the Centre Block.

Some 2,000 troops gathered on Parliament Hill, where they were praised by Stephen Harper for safeguarding the lives of millions of innocent Libyans.

For a government in thrall to symbolism and ceremony, it was too good to resist — a Canadian triumph of diplomacy, shared mission and military precision.

Diplomacy Russian Style - Ripples of the Arab Spring

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:23:48 +0000

In an interview with CBC Radio One's The World at Six, CIGI Senior Fellow Bessma Momani comments on Russia's diplomatic efforts with Syria.

"Failure Of Diplomacy"

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:46:16 +0000

Metro Morning host Matt Galloway spoke about the situation in Syria with Abdurrahman Omar, he is a local member of the Syrian Canadian Council. Then Matt spoke with Paul Heinbecker. He is Canada's former Ambassador to the UN, and now a fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation.

Former Canadian ambassador to the UN, Paul Heinbecker, speaks to Yahoo! about Harper’s trip to China

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:34:39 +0000

Stephen Harper leads a delegation to China, this week, hoping to build economic ties with the middle kingdom - a relationship he once avoided because of the Chinese government's human rights abuses.

Yahoo! Canada News spoke to Paul Heinbecker, formerly Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, Monday, about Harper's trip and his new approach to Canada-China relations.

Here are some excerpts from the interview:

Jean-Claude Duvalier should be tried for more than corruption

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:20:38 +0000

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The last thing (Haiti) needs right now is a resurfacing of Duvalierism, something that would be made possible if the government of President Martelly decides to go easy on Baby Doc.

Why Jean-Claude (“Baby Doc”) Duvalier, Haiti’s “president for life” from 1971 to 1986, decided to return to his native land a year ago is a mystery. Exiled dictators are not supposed to go back home, lest they expose themselves to charges of human rights violations and/or corruption. With some 30,000 people killed or “disappeared” during his 15-year rule, and $300 million to $800 million (U.S.) in estimated embezzled funds, one would think this would be of some concern to Duvalier.

Syria and China

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:25:17 +0000

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in China this week to promote trade. He will also use the visit to try and convince the Chinese to back down on their UN support of the embattled Syrian regime. Foreign Affairs watcher and CIGI Chair in Global Security David Welch explained why China supports the current regime in Syria and whether Canada has any real influence on this issue.

Policing in Palestine: Analyzing the EU Police Reform Mission in the West Bank

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:59:40 +0000

Police reform in the Palestinian Territories has faced many challenges. Rebuilding the police force in a post-conflict environment is not an easy task, and must take into account the community’s needs in order to build legitimacy. In 2006, the European Union Police Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support was established to support the short-term objectives of the Palestinian Civil Police and provide longer-term transformational change assistance. This issue paper discusses a number of questions to address gaps in the evaluation of police reform efforts.

Ship of fools

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:41:36 +0000

TORONTO — The temperature of the west’s relations with Iran is hot and getting hotter, and activists North America-wide are getting out their “No war on Iran” placards for a major mobilization this weekend (February 4).

The EU recently imposed sanctions on Iranian oil (to take effect in July), and this week U.S. director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. ratcheted up tensions when he charged that some Iranian leaders are now willing to conduct an attack on American soil.

Russia and China provide cover for Assad’s Syria

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:31:49 +0000

Pull Quote:

Russian and Chinese support for the Syrian regime will ensure two powerful Security Council vetoes to any resolution calling for armed intervention and toughened economic sanctions.

Gulf Arab countries, led by Qatar’s Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, have stepped up their criticism of the Syrian regime and recalled their observers from the Arab League mission to Syria. It is expected that they would favour a United Nations resolution advocating military intervention. But don’t expect much to transpire. As the death toll continues to rise above 5,000 Syrian lives, it is time to come to terms with the likelihood of a protracted stalemate.