Dear Readers,
Global tensions are on a real-time high at the moment. One wrong move by the US has lead to a series of reactions and resulted in the deaths of 176 lives, may be more. The attack and murder of Iran's General Qassem Soleimani has been condemned worldwide. While President Donald Trump defended the move by saying the US had “imminent” threat from the General, I personally believe it to be a whole bunch of hogwash. Trump is notorious for lying, and the US Security and Intelligence appears rather unmoved. I may be wrong here. After all, nobody knows what really goes on behind the doors of the White House. What we all agree though is that the drone strike was rather unnecessary and has proven to be vicious.
Canada has emerged as the ultimate loser in Trump's gamble, and Iran's retaliation. It lost 57 citizens, and all for what? A distraction from the impeachment? The strike on Gen Soleimani looked like it would provoke a region-wide war in the Middle East. However, Iran chose a string of ballistic missile attacks that seemed designed to avoid any loss of life. Trump, in return, decided not to respond; the world 'phewed' in relief as this seemed to bring an end to the round of hostilities.
While both countries took a brief pause from the fresh bout of belligerency, 176 people on board Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 got caught in the crossfire. Fifty seven of them were Canadian citizens. Since then, Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has had many sleepless nights, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne, and Defence Chief Gen. Jonathan Vance. High-level meetings have been conducted and the press addressed a couple of times. Sajjan even attended a vigil held at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Sunday and promised the government will work tirelessly to make sure we get answers for the families and the families get the right support.
Just back from his Christmas holidays, Trudeau has had a shaky start to the new year. His all-new bearded look comes in stark contrast to his fresh-faced political brand. What I am trying to say here is, he looks tired. Tired of Trump and his ventures? May be.
After days of speculation, it was found that the downed plane was accidentally shot down by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The country's General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said on state TV that an officer mistook the plane for a hostile missile and made the “bad decision” to open fire. The officer, according to the General, said he “wished” he “was dead” when he learned about the fate of the aircraft.
The world has shifted its gaze from the US to Iran now. So has Canada. Trudeau said he is “furious” and “outraged” and called on Iran's admission an “important step”. He has now adopted a whole new authoritative tone, that was seen missing in his previous term. However, if you expect him to lash out at the Trump administration, you will be disappointed. Trudeau called for a full investigation, but sidestepped questions about Canadian sanctions against Iran and any repercussions for its three-day lag in coming clean about the crash.
It is about time Canada navigated its posture in Iraq. After all, it leads NATO's non combat mission in the country, and over a hundred Canadian troops are training Iraqi counterparts. How Trudeau now proceeds will not only impact his standing in world affairs, but also change the perception of his people back home.
