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Syria: The Tragedy Continues 0
- Analysis
- April 23, 2013
It is unfortunate—though not surprising—that a meeting in Istanbul this weekend revealed persisting divisions among governments who oppose the regime of President Assad. The U.S., European and Arab states that constitute the group called the Friends of Syria do agree …
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Where’s the Public Outrage Over Harper’s Foreign Policy?0
- Analysis
- April 21, 2013
Public policy discussion these days suffers from a curious anomaly. Vast numbers of experts disagree with the government’s performance on many issues. But there’s little reflection of this mood in the popular media or on the street. Announcements which might …
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Canada’s Diplomatic Tantrum in the Desert 0
- Analysis
- April 18, 2013
Published in iPolitics, April 9, 2013

A little more than two weeks ago, Canada became the only nation on the planet to walk away from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

The decision to withdraw — making Canada the …
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A High-Water Mark in Canadian Diplomacy 0
- Analysis
- April 17, 2013
Guest post by John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In this post, Mr. Baird responds to Bob Rae’s commentary on Canadian foreign policy. CIPS is pleased to provide a venue for this debate. To receive notification of future blogposts, …
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What’s New in the EU: the Euro Crisis and the 28th Member State 0
- Analysis
- April 16, 2013
The European Union has never not been in crisis. Whether “this time is different”—and “this time” refers to ongoing iterations of the eurozone crisis—is a question that lends itself to all sorts of speculation along the lines of an …
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The Honesty Gap in Canada’s Mideast Policy 0
- Analysis
- April 16, 2013
Published in the Globe and Mail, April 16, 2013.

Why is Foreign Minister John Baird misrepresenting Canada’s policies on the Mideast?

Last week, Mr. Baird met with Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni in East Jerusalem. The meeting was controversial …
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Adapting to a Newly Fragile Environment: Lessons from Mali 0
- Analysis
- April 15, 2013
By guest-bloggers Steve Mason, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), and Katie McGregor, University of Ottawa.

Renowned as a place of rich history, diverse cultures and world-famous musicians, Mali has been making headlines for very different reasons over the …
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The High Price of Harper’s Foreign Policy 0
- Analysis
- April 14, 2013
Guest post by Bob Rae, MP

John Baird’s recent trip to the Middle East—and seemingly incoherent announcements before and after—give us a chance to re-assess the Conservative government’s foreign policy.

The Reform Party’s reverse takeover of the Progressive Conservative Party, …
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Let North Korea Test a Missile 0
- Analysis
- April 12, 2013
Published in the Globe and Mail, April 12, 2013

A curious dynamic has seized the world in the past week concerning the latest iteration of North Korea’s ongoing game of blackmail by brinkmanship. The North, a failed state by …
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Going Along to Get Along: John Baird’s Mideast Tour 0
- Analysis
- April 5, 2013
Foreign Minister Baird’s seven-country, ten-day tour of the Middle East provides final confirmation that his much vaunted “principled” foreign policy committed to promoting “freedom, human rights, democracy and the rule of law” is little more than empty rhetoric. So far, …
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Baird’s Silence on Abuses in Bahrain Exposes Canada’s Inconsistency 0
- Analysis
- April 5, 2013
Published in the Globe and Mail, April 5, 2013

The government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper prides itself on having a “principled” foreign policy and for taking “clear positions” in the defence of human rights. Why, then, did Foreign …
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Learning the Tricks of the Trade: Canada in South Sudan 0
- Analysis
- April 4, 2013
By guest-bloggers Jennifer Erin Salahub, Senior Researcher and Team Leader at the North-South Institute, and Margaret Capelazo, Gender Advisor at CARE Canada.

As part of the global aid effectiveness agenda, the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile …
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