Middle East

Canada Makes Palestinian Human Rights a Pawn in Mideast Peace Talks 0
- Analysis
- April 10, 2014
As John Kerry’s deadline fast approaches for concluding a ‘Framework Agreement’ in the resuscitated Israel-Palestine negotiations, few are optimistic. Those disparaging the deal, or even the need for a deal, appear to have the upper hand in both camps. The …
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The Curious Case of Jonathan Pollard 0
- Analysis
- April 7, 2014
One of the stranger aspects of the current round of the interminable Israeli-Palestinian peace talks is the reported idea that the U.S. is considering releasing Jonathan Pollard as an inducement to keep the Israeli government at the peace table for …
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Off to Tel Aviv: The Latest Strange Diplomatic Appointment 0
- Analysis
- February 12, 2014
Shortly before the Prime Minister’s January trip to the Middle East, the Harper Government announced its choice to fill Canada’s long-vacant ambassadorial chair in Tel Aviv. Vivian Bercovici—a Toronto lawyer, occasional commentator on Israeli affairs and backroom Tory loyalist—is the …
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Belief, Not Principle, Guiding Canada’s Mideast Policy 0
- Analysis
- January 24, 2014
There has been a good deal of debate regarding Prime Minister Harper’s visit to Israel, and in particular his speech to the Israeli Knesset. Supporters of the government trumpet what they see as a triumphant Prime Ministerial tour, one that …
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Checking Whose Reality? Contra Burney/Hampson on Canada’s Mideast Policy 0
- Analysis
- January 11, 2014
Writing last week in the Globe and Mail (“Canada and the Middle East – A reality check”), Derek Burney and Fen Hampson aim to “set the record straight” regarding the Harper government’s diplomacy in the Middle East. Their effort …
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Baird’s Tough Talk on Human Rights Rings Hollow in Bahrain 0
- Analysis
- December 10, 2013
Canada’s “principled” foreign policy keeps running into problems in Bahrain, the Gulf monarchy that violently suppressed pro-democracy protests in 2011.

When Foreign Minister John Baird visited the country in April, he made no public comment about Bahrain’s repressive practices, including …
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How Canada Goes to War 0
- Analysis
- December 3, 2013
by Philippe Lagassé

Canada’s military training mission in Afghanistan will end in 2014. When the Canadian Forces are next sent overseas, members of Parliament will likely vote on the mission. The Conservative government has made it a point to consult …
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Iran is a Process. Pay Attention, Canada 0
- Analysis
- November 28, 2013
The interim Iranian nuclear deal is just that: interim. It is not the final word on the Iranian nuclear problem; it buys time for a permanent solution to be negotiated.

Iran has agreed to temporarily constrain its nuclear program in …
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As Iran Opens to the World, Canada is Left Behind 0
- Analysis
- November 25, 2013
by John Mundy

Published in The Globe and Mail, November 25, 2013

The earth moved Sunday in Geneva when the United States, its P5 plus 1 negotiating partners and Iran came to an interim agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. …
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Does Anyone Remember Iraq?0
- Analysis
- October 8, 2013
On October 5, a suicide bomber blew himself up among a crowd of Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad, and another detonated his explosives inside a cafe north of the capital—the deadliest of several attacks across Iraq that day, killing at least …
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Iran’s Diplomatic Opening is a Test of Intentions 0
- Analysis
- September 30, 2013
by John Mundy

Published in the Globe and Mail, September 30, 2013

For the first time in many years there are hopeful signs that Iran is prepared to negotiate a comprehensive deal on its nuclear program with the United …
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Syrians Suffer ‘Our’ Collective Failure 0
- Analysis
- September 10, 2013
By Allan Rock and Lloyd Axworthy

Published in the Globe and Mail, September 10, 2013

Almost a month has passed since the world learned that chemical weapons were used against the Syrian people. Apart from florid rhetoric, there still …
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