Canada Defense Spending: A “Fire-proof House” under Threat?
The combination of internal pressure from defense-minded voters and external pressure from NATO allies is spurring Ottawa forward on defense spending. And though the 2% NATO target will remain elusive over the short term, a paradigm shift may be in-the-making.
Bombing Iran: Strategy and Consequences
It was not even a year ago that former Mossad chief, Meir Dagan, stated that the idea of Israel bombing Iranian nuclear facilities was, "the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard.”
Bush torture years
This backgrounder seeks to explore the origins and breadth of American torture during the Bush presidency by compiling all relevant information from recently de-classified memos and reports.
Egypt Talks on Gaza: An Open-Ended Ceasefire?
Pessimism looms over upcoming talks between the Palestinians and Israel in Egypt.
North Korea’s Latest Outburst: Business as Usual or Game-changer?
Inter-Korean relations are once again on a downward spiral, but will this time be different?
On the Brink of a Canada-EU Trade Deal: A Recap
Now that the Canada-EU free trade agreement is entering the final phase of negotiations, the Harper government finds itself on the brink of accomplishing one of its most important foreign policy goals.
Can China’s Belt and Road Open Up Landlocked Laos?
As a 420 km high-speed railway nears completion, two Chinese-built highways have been given the green light. Will these projects open up Laos, or make it a crossing point on China’s Belt and Road?
Iran’s Reform Movement
With the exception of an uptick in protests during Ashura, Mir Hossein Mousavi’s challenge to the Iranian political establishment has faded from the international spotlight since the open dissidence of last June.
Kyrgyzstan: The Weak Link of the Southern Corridor
The Southern Transport Corridor can help alleviate some of Kyrgyzstan’s export woes by tapping into global markets; however, given the lack of alternative backers, it would surely come at the cost of deepening reliance on Beijing.
Missiles Just the Latest Chapter in the South China Sea Saga
The United States’ ‘Freedom of Navigation Operations’ might risk triggering another Gulf of Tonkin-like incident in the South China Sea.