Everyman’s Strategic Survey: Europe (3) Angela Merkel

I've commented on Europe's problems and prospects a few times, including within the context of the Brexit, and I have noted that Germany is the linchpin. Now, Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs columnist for the Financial Times, looks at the central role that Angela Merkel plays in Germany, which is central to Europe, which is one … Continue reading Everyman’s Strategic Survey: Europe (3) Angela Merkel →

More old wine in a new bottle, this time it’s Russian vodka

During the cold war we were pretty accustomed to Soviet "disinformation" campaigns. Pravda (Правда) and Izvestia (Известия) were, by and large, just synonyms for lies and anti-Western propaganda. The Moscow "party line" was sent around the world and, dutifully, propagated by those dubbed (probably not by Lenin) as "useful idiots," those unwitting dupes and fellow travellers of the 1940s … Continue reading More old wine in a new bottle, this time it’s Russian vodka →

Dealing with China (2)

A few days ago I commented an Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's trip to China and I illustrated it with a cartoon by David Perkins. Well, Mr Perkins, drawing in the Globe and Mail, has outdone himself with this one: My fear is that the CPC campaign team was right and our prime minister is "just … Continue reading Dealing with China (2) →

Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Back in late February I commented on a report (by Murray Brewster of the Canadian Press) that the "Trudeau government [was] quietly shopping for military drones." I commended Defence Minister Sajjan for overcoming what I am certain was political and bureaucratic timidity because the misnamed "drones" are certain to stir up some controversy amongst the usual … Continue reading Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAVs) →

Ships, again

Over six months ago I offered some thoughts on ships and, specifically, the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. I was especially concerned "that there is nowhere near enough money for even 15 of the new surface combatants" that the RCN says it needs (along with eight of the DeWolfe class Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships and two or … Continue reading Ships, again →

Another Strategic Survey

Almost 18 months ago The Telegraph, one of the "quality" British newspapers, published a survey ~ another sort of Everyman's Strategic Survey, several of which I have offered over the past months, along with some of my own conclusions about what Canada might do to protect itself ~ aimed at answering the question:"What is the biggest threat … Continue reading Another Strategic Survey →

Old wine, new bottle: a foreign policy failure

Professor Thomas Juneau of the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, who was, formerly, an analyst with Canada’s Department of National Defence, takes a look, in an opinion piece in the Globe and Mail, at the recent announcement by ministers Bibeau, Dion, Goodale and Sajjan re: Canada being "back" in UN peacekeeping and … Continue reading Old wine, new bottle: a foreign policy failure →