Middle East

How uOttawa is Taking Action to Support Syrian Refugees in Canada and Around the World
- May 20, 2016
The devastating civil war in Syria has resulted in the largest forced migration of people since the Second World War. To date, 13.5 million Syrians are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including 4.8 million registered refugees and another 6.6 …
By Allan Rock
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What Next for Libya?
- May 19, 2016
In a show of unity that is rare these days, on May 16, UN Security Council members agreed to help Libya’s fledgling Government of National Accord (GNA) to build up its firepower against the so-called Islamic State (IS) and other …
By Alexandra Gheciu
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Arms to the Saudis: Wrong Decision, Right Result?
- April 23, 2016
Those defending human rights are used to the many contradictions involved. They demand of the same governments responsible for torture and discrimination that they uphold international prohibitions on such abuse. Their impartial reporting is seized on at politically opportune moments …
By David Petrasek
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Lessons from a Decade in Afghanistan
- March 24, 2016
The lessons below are gleaned from the experiences of the international community in the decade following the overthrow of the Taliban regime. They provide partial answers to the question of why Afghanistan has faced renewed conflict and a resurgent Taliban, …
By Nipa Banerjee
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Slow and Costly: The Crisis Confronting Internationalized Criminal Justice
- March 6, 2016
By William Wiley

Internationalized criminal justice is in crisis — a crisis laid bare by the limited criminal-justice response to the conflict in Syria and, more widely, the struggles endured by the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International …
By CIPS
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Women’s Development in Afghanistan: Ensuring Sustainable Gains
- February 29, 2016
International Women’s Day should be marked by acknowledging that claims — made by the international community and the Afghan government — of advances in promoting women’s rights in Afghanistan are largely disconnected from reality. Human Rights Watch and the Afghan …
By Nipa Banerjee
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Obama’s “ghost camp” haunts him still
- February 29, 2016
The infamous Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba, built by the U.S. after the 9/11 attacks to house captured terrorists, is fast becoming a ghost camp. Over the years, some 800 detainees have been held at Guantanamo; the number …
By Wesley Wark
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A Smart IS Strategy — Except for the Air Strikes
- February 18, 2016
This week, the Trudeau government released its strategy to confront Islamic State. On balance, it is a good strategy, one that is consistent with Canada’s interests, with one important exception: the decision to stop the air strikes.

Every element in …
By Thomas Juneau
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Canada in Afghanistan: A Role Model for Canada’s Middle East Mission?
- February 17, 2016
While recalling six fighter jets from the bombing mission in the Middle East, Canada promises to provide military training, humanitarian aid, and diplomacy in fostering a peace process. The Liberal government’s promise of humanitarian assistance and intent to find a …
By Nipa Banerjee
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Where’s the government’s longer-range vision on ISIL?
- February 9, 2016
Prime Minister Trudeau wants to put a new Liberal stamp on the Canadian mission to Iraq and the region. His press conference on Monday marked an expected shift away from a direct Canadian contribution to air attacks against Islamic State …
By Wesley Wark
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Why Resuming Ties with Tehran will be Slow Going for Canada
- January 30, 2016
The Liberal government says it will soon begin lifting some sanctions imposed on Iran and will gradually implement its campaign pledge of re-establishing diplomatic relations with Tehran.

This is sound policy: It is in Canada’s interest to regain its foothold …
By Thomas Juneau
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La Turquie, est-elle destinée à durer ?
- January 27, 2016
par Halil Karaveli

La Turquie était censée représenter un « modèle » pour le Moyen-Orient. Pour l’Occident en quête d’un antidote à l’islamisme, le pays a incarné les espoirs de laïcité et de démocratie: La preuve qu’un pays puisse être …
By CIPS
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