Robin MacNab

Iran, Germany and the end of the rules-based order No more lecturing from Germany: International law seems less important to Chancellor Friedrich Merz since the US and Israel's attack on Iran. Is this a new foreign policy strategy from Berlin?

Iran, Germany and the end of the rules-based order. Germany, like Canada, wrestles with squaring the attack on Iran with international law.
www.dw.com/en/iran-germ...

For Xi, Trump’s Embrace of War Proves China Needs More Power

Unintended consequences: For Xi, Trump’s embrace of war proves China needs more power (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/w...

Iran: Will Kurdish forces be the US' 'boots on the ground?' US President Donald Trump is encouraging Iranian Kurds to fight against the regime in Tehran. A Kurdish offensive, however, could create new challenges in Iran and in the wider region.

US President Donald Trump is encouraging Iranian Kurds to fight against the regime in Tehran. A Kurdish offensive, however, could create new challenges in Iran and in the wider region. www.dw.com/en/iran-will...

Opinion | Trump’s mini-me ambassadors are insulting and alienating U.S. allies Save the undiplomatic diplomats. The president does enough damage to America’s reputation all by himself.

So their loudmouth in Ottawa isn’t the only one: Trump’s mini-me ambassadors are insulting and alienating U.S. allies wapo.st/40eSMwM (gift article)

Carney’s Iran misstep undermines Canadian multilateralism Canada's support, albeit tepid, for the U.S.'s pre-emptive attack on Iran is at odds with Canada’s commitment to the UN Charter.

Kingston Whig Standard’s @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social: the Carney government’s tacit endorsement of war as a tool of nuclear non-proliferation not only contradicts Canada’s support for the NPT process, it also undermines Canada’s diplomatic credibility, in general. www.thewhig.com/opinion/carn...

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) Calls for DHS Secretary Kristi Noems Resignation YouTube video by C-SPAN

I’m really starting to like this guy: Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) Calls for DHS Secretary Kristi Noems Resignation youtu.be/YEEHPeK_LJU?...

Trump's Consequential War - Policy Magazine In explaining the Trump doctrine of military intervention, the former Fox News host said: "America, regardless of what so-called international institutions

Bob Rae: we need to confront the fact that the United States under its current president and administration is in no position to lead us anywhere good. www.policymagazine.ca/trumps-conse...

Iraq, caught in the middle, braces for Iran war impact Iraq is the only country in the Middle East to be targeted by both sides in the current conflict. There, the war could impact everything from the next government to intercommunal violence and civil se...

Iraq is the only country in the Middle East to be targeted by both sides in the current conflict. There, the war could impact everything from the next government to intercommunal violence and civil servants' salaries. www.dw.com/en/iran-war-...

Iran war: Why is Russia not coming to Tehran's aid? The beleaguered Iranian regime, with very few international allies, has been counting on Moscow's support amid the ongoing US-Israeli strikes, but so far it has been left deeply disappointed.

Iran war: Why is Russia not coming to Tehran's aid? www.dw.com/en/iran-war-...

Day one of new waste collection changes has arrived in the region Tuesday marks the first day of Waterloo Region's new waste collection changes, moving to its new cart-based system.

This says the old boxes can be dropped off at the Erb street dump - that implies for free. I dropped mine yesterday and there was a $12 charge.
kitchener.citynews.ca/2026/03/03/f...

Trump Rolls the Iron Dice The uncertainties of Trump’s attack on Iran are enough to justify some queasy doubts.

An excellent piece in The Atlantic from Eliot Cohen www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

Opinion | War and Peace Cannot Be Left to One Man — Especially Not This Man

An excellent piece (gift article) from David French: War and Peace Cannot Be Left to One Man — Especially Not This Man www.nytimes.com/2026/03/01/o...

Marc Thiessen is tone deaf: The outrage mob is ruining a golden moment (gift article)https://wapo.st/3MPlJw8

Opinion | The Great Capitulation Is Over. What Will Take Its Place?

Chrystia Freeland: The Great Capitulation Is Over. What Will Take Its Place? (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/o...

Anthropic: Is the Pentagon overreaching on AI access? Anthropic, a much vaunted AI startup, is firmly in the Trump administration's sights. The Pentagon wants complete access to its models, despite safety and ethical concerns.

Anthropic, a much vaunted AI startup, is firmly in the Trump administration's sights. The Pentagon wants complete access to its models, despite safety and ethical concerns. www.dw.com/en/anthropic...

You Can Soon Rent the ‘Heated Rivalry’ Cottage

You Can Soon Rent the ‘Heated Rivalry’ Cottage in Muskoka: The lakefront home from the hit TV series will be available through Airbnb, and it’s surprisingly affordable. (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/r...

City turns to U.S. technology company for traffic signal work on Finch LRT Questions are being raised about whether an Ontario tech firm was shut out of bidding on traffic signal work for the new Finch LRT.

Toronto turns to U.S. technology company for traffic signal work on Finch LRT shutting out a company in their own backyard www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/vide...

The U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team won gold — and then lost the room The widespread celebration is over now. And some of the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team's goodwill has diminished.

How a moment that unified the country was turned to division as Trump manipulated the U.S. men’s hockey team: The U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team won gold — and then lost the room (gift article)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Hegseth threatens to force AI firm to share tech, escalating Anthropic standoff The Pentagon is demanding access to Anthropic’s AI technology, threatening to invoke the Defense Production Act if the company doesn’t comply.

Hegseth threatens to force AI firm to share tech, escalating Anthropic standoff. 
Anthropic has reservations about how its technology will be used. (gift article) wapo.st/4qQnXsX

Liberals ascend to 13-point lead in vote intention as Canadians continue to demand hard line on U.S. trade - Angus Reid Institute Just one-quarter say U.S. should be viewed as an ally or friend – a near 50-point drop from 2023 February 24, 2026 – As American President Donald Trump addresses the union this evening, Canadians may ...

Just one-quarter of Canadians say U.S. should be viewed as an ally or friend – a near 50-point drop from 2023 angusreid.org/liberals-asc...

Opinion | Why is Trump blocking this bridge to Canada? Something stinks. Turning down a fully built, Canadian-funded span would be economic malpractice.

Robert Pozen: Why is Trump blocking this bridge to Canada? Something stinks.
Turning down a fully built, Canadian-funded span would be economic malpractice. (Gift article) wapo.st/4tOngmV

Thanks for sharing. Scary!

Backed by Anthropic, a Super PAC Group Begins an Ad Blitz in Support of A.I. Regulation

Anthropic has become a rare tech industry voice calling for A.I. safeguards (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/t...

CFRA Weekends - Human rights put on the backburner in Trump's America - CFRA Live! - Sound Bites | iHeart <p>As the world interacts with Trump's America, human rights appear to be losing a massive tug-of-war. Geoffrey Johnston is an International Affairs columnist with the Kingston Whig-Standard. He joins...

Kingston Whig Standard’s @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social on CFRA radio discussing the descent of the United States into authoritarianism www.iheart.com/podcast/962-...

Bridge Owner Donated $1 Million to MAGA Group Before Trump Blasted Competitor

Bridge Owner Donated $1 Million to MAGA Group Before Trump Blasted Competitor (gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/u...

Trump’s America abandons human rights Under President Donald Trump, the United States has abdicated its role as leader of the free world.

Kingston Whig Standard’s @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social: In the post-Second World War era, the United States was seen as the beacon of freedom and human rights in the world. However, those days are gone forever. www.thewhig.com/opinion/trum...

Guelph's Colin Hunter explains 'kayfabe' and talks about his new pro wrestling book Millions tune in each week to watch wrestling’s biggest names face off and Guelph writer Colin Hunter has been chronicling the spectacle on his satirical website, Kayfabe News. After 12 years of cover...

Colin Hunter explains 'kayfabe' and talks about his new pro wrestling book
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

How Epstein got so rich How did the well-connected financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein amass such great wealth?

How Epstein got so rich www.dw.com/en/where-did...

Russia’s Wagner Group pivots to European sabotage, say western officials Recruiters involved with fighter group are said to be targeting agents for operations on Nato soil

In the past two years, the Kremlin has expanded a campaign of disruption and sabotage across Europe aimed at weakening the resolve of western powers in their support for Ukraine and sowing social unrest. www.ft.com/content/dbd1...

Starlink: How Elon Musk's company influences geopolitics Devised to facilitate internet connectivity in the most remote regions of the world, Elon Musk’s Starlink has become a vital means of communication in crisis regions and war zones. There are downsides...

Devised to facilitate internet connectivity in the most remote regions of the world, Elon Musk’s Starlink has become a vital means of communication in crisis regions and war zones. There are downsides to this. www.dw.com/en/starlink-...