Misinterpreting Mali: The Uses and Abuses of R2P0

• Analysis
• February 11, 2013

As argued in this space recently, there are sound legal and political justifications for the intervention of French and West African troops in northern Mali. Further, the apparent achievements of the operation so far lend support to those who argue …

Bang Bang Bangalore: India’s Military Spending Spree0

• Analysis
• February 8, 2013

“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore” is one of my favourite episodes of The Simpsons. First aired in 2006, it is an important contribution to North American and global popular culture’s celebration of post-liberalization India that began in the 1990s. In …

Are Iran’s Nuclear Dangers Overblown?0

• Analysis
• February 7, 2013

Iran’s nuclear program continues to generate much heat and light on the global stage.  While the Iranian nuclear challenge is a serious matter, much of the commentary on the degree and immediacy of its dangers is overblown. These are the …

Diasporas in Foreign Policymaking: Just Another Ploy of Neoliberal Multiculturalism?0

• Analysis
• February 5, 2013

Recent weeks have seen a brief revival of discussion in print and elsewhere on the question of whether Canadian multiculturalism is passé. This latest round of debate has shed little new light on the topic, having consisted chiefly of anecdotes …

The “Outstanding Leader” Vows Strong Action: Back to the Future in North Korea0

• Analysis
• January 28, 2013

Just as the international community was beginning to enjoy a new sense of optimism about North Korea following the ascension to power of Kim Jong-un, last week we were unceremoniously brought back to an old script. Pyongyang launches a …

The Rise of the Israeli Middle0

• Analysis
• January 27, 2013

The Israeli election was that rarest of things: a real surprise. We had been assured for weeks that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition would make gains. But the big winner was the political centre.

Why were we so surprised? Perhaps …

Defending Canada’s Human Rights and Rule of Law Legacy0

• Analysis
• January 21, 2013

2013 will see the UN and many countries around the world celebrating the 65^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It should also be the year that we celebrate a Canadian law professor, John Humphrey, who as …

Mulling Over Mali0

• Analysis
• January 15, 2013

To those of us deeply skeptical of the deployment of Western military force in the developing world, the French intervention in Mali in recent days poses something of a dilemma. It appears to be legally and militarily justified, and enjoys …

A Better Canadian Growth Strategy: Both Inclusive and Effective0

• Analysis
• January 14, 2013

Canada is struggling to find a viable export-led growth strategy. So far we are surviving the global financial crisis due to our conservative regulatory framework. But there was no superior Harper-Flaherty economic wisdom or even Bank of Canada Governor Carney …

Non-State Actors Who Bring Nations Closer0

• Analysis
• January 7, 2013

Published in The Hindu, January 5, 2013

A controversy erupted recently over Track Two discussions regarding the Siachen issue. “Track Two Diplomacy” is a term with which much mythology is associated. Some proponents believe that it can cut through …