As Trump upsets the world order, many countries may feel they have no choice but to develop nuclear weapons
What will the world look like in 50 years – or even 10? One of the rather unsettling possibilities is that the future will have to accommodate a Germany with nuclear arms. For the short period after the Second World War that the United States was the only nuclear power, the world was stable. But…
Trudeau and his government are complicit in interference of the worst kind in India’s internal affairs
French President Charles de Gaulle travelled to Quebec, ostensibly to visit Canada’s Expo 67, on July 24, 1967. But the old rascal had something entirely different in mind. He had come to Canada for one reason: to stir up trouble. Leaning over a balcony before a large Montreal crowd, he uttered a carefully rehearsed phrase…People everywhere should be able to worship as they please or not worship at all
The massacre of Muslims at prayer in New Zealand on March 15 is yet another appalling example of the horrors of extreme hatred. In this case, the mass murderer was a deluded white supremacist. Other recently targeted victims have been Jews at worship in Pittsburgh, or just anyone who chose to come to the wrong…
Attacks on places of worship are based on the horrendous lie that we need to fear those who are different
Humanity is reeling from the deaths of innocent people all over the world in houses of worship. Members of no religion seem to be immune from violence, nor can any major religion claim to be free of extremists who perpetrate hate crimes. Many will ask what the world is coming to. In fact, these horrendous…
A multicultural student haka in New Zealand radiates something positive in a world that seems all too sick
When you write a weekly column in the relatively unrelated realms of culture and politics, you rely on independent stimuli for the idea that eventually becomes the piece. Frankly, the idea that becomes the column doesn’t often strike until just after the previous week’s work appears online each Sunday morning. Then, as if ordained by…
In Christchurch, South Carolina, Pittsburgh and elsewhere, we've seen what hate brings if we don't find common ground
One of Charles Dickens’ most beloved books is A Tale of Two Cities. The novel focuses on several characters, including Dr. Alexandre Manette, who was imprisoned in the Bastille in Paris, France, for 18 torturous years. His long-held desire was to join his daughter, Lucie, a brilliant physician who lived in London, England, and had…
When Muslim attackers and terrorists claim they’re acting to defend and advance Islam, westerners put their fingers in their ears
Great news! The Washington Post says, “Terrorist attacks are quietly declining around the world.” Citing a University of Maryland report on terrorism, the author points out that there are fewer terrorist attacks since 2016. So nothing to see here, folks – move along. Not so fast. I’m not sure we’re quite ready to celebrate the fact…
A simple – and seemingly obvious – provincial decision that should have been made by the Trudeau government long ago
Some public policy initiatives are difficult for governments to make. They take a certain amount of time, effort, research, discussion, co-ordination, and wheeling and dealing before finally being implemented. And some public policy initiatives should be remarkably easy for governments to make and implement. Yet there are examples where simple political decisions take on a…
In the aftermath of this week's tragedy in Toronto, how do we come to the grips with such violence? And who do we blame?
Like most columnists, I’m usually inspired to write on topics that are aligned with my areas of interest. My usual fare is politics, history and economics, but I’ll sometimes write about art, sport, music, and even animation and comic strips. Every once in a while, I’ll pick an issue that doesn’t perfectly fit in one…
We owe so much to Vasili Arkhipov, yet he’s not well known. He kept his cool while those around him were losing it during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Where would we be without Vasili Arkhipov? Would we be here at all? Who is Vasili Arkhipov? Before I get to that, let’s talk about the dangerous world we live in. North Korea is bristling with nuclear bombs. The rogue nation is completely unpredictable. South Korea, Japan – and, apparently, North America – are all…