This article in the National Post just caused me (and many of my friends and former colleagues with, in total, centuries of experience in National Defence Headquarters) to shrug. You might have looked for at least an eye-roll, but, no, all it rated was a shrug. What didn't surprise anyone? Well, according to the Canadian … Continue reading Why does this not surprise me?
Category: Harjit Sajjan
I wonder if anyone is listening
Michelle Carbert, writing in the Globe and Mail, says that "Canada’s top general [General Jonathan Vance, ⇐ the Chief of the Defence Staff] says Russia poses the most immediate military threat to this country and the international community today, while China represents a significant risk for cyber attacks ... [and, the point was echoed by … Continue reading I wonder if anyone is listening
Another costly and unnecessary delay
Lee Berthiaume of the Canadian Press, in an article published in the National Post, writes that "Canada’s long-running effort to buy new fighter jets is facing another delay ... [because] ... The federal government announced Tuesday it is giving jet makers another three months to submit their proposals for replacing Canada’s aging CF-18s. Companies were … Continue reading Another costly and unnecessary delay
Let’s get cracking
One of the most important military commitments that Canada has ~ that any country can have, actually ~ is the defence of its own homeland. Canada's homeland is vast; we are the 2nd largest country in the world in area ~ at just under 10 million square kilometres we are second only to Russia (17+ … Continue reading Let’s get cracking
What we know and don’t know, for sure, so far
What we do know, for sure, is that: Qassem Soleimani is dead. That is, without a shadow of a doubt, a good thing. He was a monster and his demise makes the world an ever so slightly better place. We should not dance on anyone's grave, not even those of Hitler, Stalin, Tojo and Mao, … Continue reading What we know and don’t know, for sure, so far
What next?
Terry Glavin, writing in Maclean's magazine, says, and I fully agree, that "It may well have been capricious in the extreme for Donald Trump’s White House to order that spectacular hit in Iraq, but lets face it: the airstrike target was the Lord of the Flies. He got nothing less than he visited upon countless … Continue reading What next?
A year-end thought on a vital issue
Murray Brewster, writing for CBC News, reports that "Canada's new frigates are being designed with ballistic missile defence in mind, even though successive federal governments have avoided taking part in the U.S. program ... [but, he ads] ... When they slip into the water some time in the mid-to-late 2020s, the new warships probably won't … Continue reading A year-end thought on a vital issue
Afghanistan in (1st draft) retrospect
It's far, far too soon to write the history of the war in Afghanistan. In that regard, I'm reminded of the anecdote about the first meeting of Henry Kissinger and Zhou Enlai in the run-up to the historic Nixon visit to China. Dr Kissinger, knowing that Zhou Enlai was interested in history, is reputed to … Continue reading Afghanistan in (1st draft) retrospect
The Palmerston effect; or who is the puppet master?
There is a video, published by The Guardian, making the rounds on social media which shows Princess Ann, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Mark Rutte (I think) and Justin Trudeau chatting, it appears, about President Trump who made long, rambling press conferences of his meetings with President Macron and Prime Minister … Continue reading The Palmerston effect; or who is the puppet master?
Trump is about to rain on Trudeau’s parade
Many in the media are saying, and I agree, that Justin Trudeau's agenda for the next couple of years is about 99.9% domestic and focused, mainly, gaining seats in on Québec and holding on, at least, in Atlantic Canada and in urban and suburban Ontario and British Columbia. The overarching aim ~ the ONLY aim … Continue reading Trump is about to rain on Trudeau’s parade
