Panel I – Canadian Economic and Energy Interests in the New Middle East (Click to play video) Welcome Remarks — The Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada (via Video) Julie Lindhout, President, The NATO Council of Canada Moderator: Lawrence Solomon Speakers: Lawrence Solomon, Columnist, Financial Post; Executive Director, Energy Probe Andy Mahut, Executive Board, Read More…
The Middle East and North Africa
Middle East Region
From Escalation to Engagement: How to Avoid War with Iran
The United States and Europe should strive to de-escalate the growing tensions between Iran and the West.
Interview with Professor Alan Dowty
The NATO Council of Canada had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Alan Dowty from the University of Notre Dame. Professor Dowty is a foremost expert on Middle East International Relations and Israeli politics, and recently served his second time as a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, Oxford Read More…
Women: The Egyptian Revolution’s Biggest Losers
During the first 18 days of demonstrating for freedom and democracy, Egyptian men and women stood side by side in Tahrir Square. Women died next to men and did not falter in their pursuit of these ideals. As the struggle becomes institutionalized, however, the voices and demands of women are being limited and ignored in Read More…
The Syrian Uprising: Signs of a Protracted Military Conflict
By: Alexander Corbeil The Syrian crisis has entered into its eleventh and bloodiest month, with roughly 8,000 dead and no end in sight. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), though under heavy barrage in Homs, continues to provide stiff resistance against President Bashir al-Assad. Damascus’s security forces and elements of the military have proven their loyalty Read More…
A “Militiaous” Turn of Events in Libya
By: Alexander Corbeil Clashes in Tripoli last week between rival militias from Zintan and Misrata highlight a disturbing trend in post-Gaddafi Libya. With the powerful tyrant now dead and his forces thwarted by a combined Libyan-NATO effort, a power vacuum has emerged. The National Transition Council’s leader Mustafa Abdel-Jalil warned that Libya faced “bitter options” Read More…
Syria: The Revolution will be Weaponized
By: Alexander Corbeil The Syrian revolution is sliding towards a full fledged civil war as the Free Syrian Army (FSA) has stepped up operations this past week against Syrian security forces. While army units loyal to Bashir al-Assad have cleared the suburbs of Damascus of rebel fighters, the takeover of areas on the regime’s doorstep Read More…
The Syrian Brief: Week Two
By: Alexander Corbeil Inside Syria Reports by Syrian opposition groups detailed the death of 30 people throughout Syria on Thursday in a widespread and brutal crackdown by Assad’s forces. The continuance of violence comes as a temporary ceasefire has been reached between the Syrian military and rebels in the mountain town of Zabadani, near the Read More…
US-Taliban Negotiations: A Political Office in Qatar?
By: Alexander Corbeil In a dramatic turn of events last week, the spokesman for the Afghani Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, announced that the insurgent group was looking into opening a political office in Qatar. Although no concrete steps have been taken in this direction, the announcement comes as the result of more than two years of Read More…
The Syrian Brief: A Weekly Examination of the Syrian Uprising
By: Alexander Corbeil In a defiant speech Tuesday, President Bashir al-Assad addressed supporters at Damascus University. While promising a multitude of reforms, Assad lashed out at protestors and the international community. The Syrian president promised to restore order by, “hitting terrorists with an iron fist.” Continuing the regime’s ongoing rhetoric of foreign conspiracy and international Read More…