The relationship between Pakistan and the coalition forces in Afghanistan was further strained this week after coalition forces killed three Pakistani soldiers at a border checkpoint between the two countries (Deb Reichmann & Hussain Afzal, “Pakistan blocks war supply route after NATO cross-border strike,” Globe and Mail, 30 September 2010). The incident, which occurred on […]
Archive | September, 2010
Rideau Institute Leadership Award to go to antinuclear activists
The Rideau Institute Board of Directors will present the inaugural Rideau Institute Leadership Award to Murray Thomson, Doug Roche, and John Polanyi, founders of Canadians for a Nuclear Weapons Convention, at the Rideau Institute Gala Dinner on October 7, 2010. Their hard work and strong leadership have led more than 500 recipients of the prestigious […]
"Combat phase" of battle for Kandahar begins: ISAF
The “combat phase” of the battle for the Kandahar region has begun, says a spokesperson for the International Security Assistance Force (Rob Nordland, “American and Afghan Troops Begin Combat for Kandahar,” New York Times, 26 September 2010): Code-named “Operation Dragon Strike,” the push is focusing on clearing the Taliban from three districts to the west […]
F-35 Memorandum of Understanding
To view the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding on F-35s signed by Canada (which did not commit any of the parties to purchase the aircraft), click here. Photo by Robert Plaskota
Canadian government supports UN, but not peacekeeping
Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s speech at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly has made a number of things clear about his attitude towards that organization. The first is that his government would very much like Canada to be elected to one of the temporary seats on the UN Security Council when UN members […]
Canada's Engagement in Afghanistan – Ninth Quarterly Report
The Government of Canada’s Ninth Quarterly Report on Canadian engagement in Afghanistan, covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2010, was released on 22 September. The report frankly acknowledges that the “quarter was marked by a deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, with increasing insurgent violence and intimidation targeting civilians, the assassination of several […]