Ottawa’s hostility to Ukrainian democracy is a largely ignored element in the tragedy unfolding in that country. While not excusing Russia’s criminal invasion, Canada’s multi-year campaign to subvert an elected government was an important factor in producing the conditions that led to where we are today. As I previously detailed, the Canadian government encouraged the... Continue Reading →
NATO is a problem, not the solution
While in no way excusing Russia’s criminal invasion, NATO expansion eastward increased its likelihood. Although we’ll never know if the war would not have happened under different circumstances, after a month of Russian violence against Ukraine the two countries’ negotiators have reportedly agreed that it will reject joining NATO as part of a peace pact.... Continue Reading →
Revisiting our role in Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution
To understand the present, one must study the past. One of the wealthier parts of the Soviet Union, Ukraine’s GDP per capita is now less than half Russia’s and far below other neighbours. Every year since 1993 its population has declined and an eight-year-old war in the east of the country has killed some 14,000.... Continue Reading →
Negotiate or fight? Answer not so simple Ms. Joly
On Wednesday foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly told the press, “right now, it’s not about a diplomatic solution” and that “you can’t negotiate when you have a gun to your head.” But that’s simply not true. That’s exactly what you should do if the alternative is far worse. More war is a recipe for many... Continue Reading →
Ottawa ignores law against foreign military recruitment, again
Has the Trudeau government violated the law by promoting Canadians joining the Ukrainian military? Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly recently responded to a question about Canadians joining the Ukrainian military by saying, “we understand that people of Ukrainian descent want to support their fellow Ukrainians. We are all very supportive of any form of support to... Continue Reading →
Militarists on both sides are not your friends
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted a flood of calls to increase military spending. In effect, the militarists who helped precipitate the conflict are now using Moscow’s violence to demand more military spending. Recently, I debated Hugh Segal on whether ‘Canada should increase military spending and strengthen our defence in the face of Russia's aggression’.... Continue Reading →
How Canada’s support for NATO expansion contributed to Ukraine tragedy
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been condemned. The suffering of Ukrainian civilians and soldiers is horrible. Righteous fury has been aimed at the primary architect of this crime against humanity. But save some anger for those who will use the invasion to push other agendas that are bad for humanity and other life on our... Continue Reading →
Condemn the invasion, but retain your critical faculties
Moscow’s bombing and invasion of Ukraine must be condemned by all those who believe in a rules-based international order and peaceful solutions to world problems. Hopefully Russian internationalists can come together to create a peace movement powerful enough to pressure their government. While criticizing Russian imperialism, however, we shouldn’t lose sight of Canada’s significant role... Continue Reading →
Truth always the first casualty of war — CBC proves it
Normally it’s difficult to assess whether a reporter is ignorant, lazy or self-consciously serving power. But when a journalist produces multiple one-sided pieces on a subject while ignoring context he’s previously reported, it’s pretty clear. Since Washington/London/Ottawa instigated a wave of anti-Russia hysteria in December senior CBC military writer Murray Brewster has published a slew... Continue Reading →
Question everything, except Canadian foreign policy
Why would a progressive media outlet regurgitate what the Conservatives and dominant media are saying about Canada arming the Ukraine? Recently The Tyee published “Canada’s Military Aid Hypocrisy: No weapons for vulnerable Ukraine. Plenty for the villainous Saudi regime.” The article echoed Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and many journalists call for Canada to give... Continue Reading →
Progressives ignore Canadian support for Ukraine’s right-wing policies
An important union and progressive principle is to wish for others what we want for ourselves. Except, it seems, in international affairs. In the Ukraine, Canadian unions, language rights organizations and anti-racist groups have been indifferent to Ottawa promoting policies they’d consider anathema at home. In my 2018 book Left, Right: Marching to the Beat... Continue Reading →
The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming! — again
The media wants Canada to give more weapons, military trainers and other support to Ukrainians seeking conflict with Russia. “Canada faces criticism for ‘soft’ response to Ukraine amid Russia threat”, noted The Canadian Press on Tuesday while a Globe and Mail article was headlined “Trudeau’s dithering on Ukraine should fool no one”. After Trudeau... Continue Reading →
Maybe the story is more complex than Russia bad, Canada good
The saber rattling is becoming scary. But Canadian officials labelling Russia “aggressive” while stoking unnecessary conflict has a long history. Echoing a 2009 statement from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently denounced “an aggressive Russia”. Throughout their time in office the Liberals have blamed Russia for complicated conflicts in Ukraine and Syria,... Continue Reading →
Claims of Russian interference in Ukraine reek of hypocrisy
The Russians are up to no good and we must prepare to protect Ukraine. Moscow interferes in US and Canadian elections. That’s what Washington, Ottawa and their media sycophants claim. But is this just another case of accusing others of doing the things you do? An age-old propaganda technique designed to deflect attention away from... Continue Reading →
Military knows it looks bad but works with neo-Nazis anyway
The Canadian military seem willing, even eager, to work with neo-Nazis in the Ukraine in order to weaken Russia, something the US, NATO and Ukrainian–Canadian groups support. On Monday Ottawa Citizen military reporter David Pugliese revealed that when Canadian military officials met with the Azov Battalion in June 2018, they knew the group used the... Continue Reading →
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