Four years ago this month Security Council Resolution 1973 sanctioning action against Libya was effusively welcomed by many as conclusive proof of the Responsibility to Protect’s (R2P) efficacy. It was, former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans rejoiced,...
Robert Murray
Time for a New Western Strategy in Ukraine
To date, the western strategy towards the ongoing war in Ukraine has been a failure. Not only has there been no cessation of violence, but the violence in certain areas of Eastern Ukraine is actually worsening, and the world is no closer to any diplomatic solution....
How the Elvis Presley Doctrine Blocked Keystone XL
This article was written by Robert W. Murray and Christopher Sands and originally appeared in The National Interest. In his history of popular culture and the U.S. presidency, What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched and Obama Tweeted, Tevi Troy relates an anecdote about a...
How the Elvis Presley Doctrine Blocked Keystone XL
In his history of popular culture and the U.S. presidency, What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched and Obama Tweeted, Tevi Troy relates an anecdote about a White House meeting between then-president Richard Nixon and rock ‘n’ roll sensation Elvis Presley. Elvis...
Featured News
Weaponizing the Law
The indictment of former U.S. president Donald Trump for crimes invented by his political opponents is the most egregious example yet seen of the weaponizing of the law. The United States is now full of examples. However, in Canada, we also see the law being...
“Looking At” Seizing Control Over Western Canada’s Natural Resources
OTTAWA, REGINA - Last week, two things happened that could have profound impacts on natural resources development in Saskatchewan. One is a hint the federal government might want to take control of natural resources away from the provinces, and the other is the...
Canada has a diplomatic role to play in Ukraine
The Canadian government has taken a hard-line stance against Russian aggression in Ukraine. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, in fact, has vowed to work with other western allies to take any measures necessary to curb Russia, short of deploying military forces of...
Olympic Committee’s support of dictatorships must end
Along with the entertainment, the Sochi Olympics has provided Russia the opportunity to portray its “softer” side – and that is precisely the problem. Back in 2008 the world watched in awe as another dictatorship, China, put on a show for the ages. The Opening...
Obama and the decline of American hegemony
Someone needs to save the Obama Administration from itself when it comes to foreign policy. Since taking office in 2008, Obama has had very few foreign policy successes to brag about, beyond the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Promises have not been kept, red lines have...
Wall Street Journal: How Canada Views the Keystone Stall
Frontier Centre for Public Policy vice president Bob Murray appears in the Wall Street Journal's Opinion video series, talking about how the pipeline delay could affect U.S.-Canada relations.
The politicization of the Arctic
Canada’s Arctic claims continue to be a prominent aspect of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s policy agenda. Recent announcements, further technological investment, and emphasis on Arctic affairs in the government’s Throne Speech all speak to the fact that, since taking...
Harper wandering in a foreign policy wilderness
The Canadian Government faces a number of serious questions regarding its policy agenda. The 2013 Throne Speech last October was less than inspiring, with very few new ideas and what seems to be an overall lack of a guiding vision for Canada. While the government...
Alberta’s Growing Foreign Policy Presence
When thinking of foreign policy, one thinks of the processes and actors involved with federal governments making decisions about how to best pursue national interests and interact in an increasingly complex world. But many aspects of foreign policy formulation have...
Competition key to better post-secondary education
Source: Edmonton Journal, 14 Dec 2013 Re: “Reframing Alberta’s post-secondary debate,” by Brent Epperson, Ideas, Dec. 12. Brent Epperson eloquently argues for a more “progressive” style of post-secondary education in Alberta and rejects those critics who instead...
Harper’s quest for Santa’s Village
You have to give Prime Minister Stephen Harper some credit. While he has not delivered on his promises of military and ice breaker technology in his quest to solidify Canadian sovereignty over Canada’s Arctic, he has been consistent in making sure Canada’s claims are...