Adam Chapnick's Newsletter - September 1, 2020
Thanks for subscribing to this newsletter. Here is what I have been up to during these particularly challenging last few months:
In the Media
Thanks to the June 2020 United Nations Security Council election (Canada's bid was ultimately unsuccessful), I spent a lot of time speaking with the press. Prior to the vote, I spoke with spoke with reporters from the Globe and Mail (twice), the National Post, the BBC, Politico, iPolitics.ca, the Canadian Press, the Huffington Post, and the Nettavisen News (Norway). On the day of the vote (June 17), I was interviewed by CTV Newsnet, CTV National News, CP24, and CBC television. In the aftermath of the vote, I spoke with the Canadian Press, the Scott Radley Radio show (Hamilton), the National Post, the Hill Times, and the Ming Pao Daily News.
Publications
I published an article on “Ottawa’s ill-fated quest for a UN Security Council seat,” in the excellent online public policy magazine, Policy Options.
Blog
I blogged about the Canadian government's efforts to manage relations with US President Donald Trump, why I don't think it's the right time for a foreign policy review, Bob's Rae's appointment as Canada's new permanent representative to the United Nations, whether Canada should ban China's Huawei Technologies Company, successful Canadian negotiation efforts at the World Trade Organization, and the WE Charity controversy.
Public Speaking
I spoke to members of the Probus Club of Bradford and the Lake Country Probus Club of Orillia (separately, both via Zoom) about Canada-US relations. I spoke on a virtual panel hosted by the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy about Canada’s UN Security Council bid. I spoke on a virtual panel hosted by the NATO Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect about “Challenges and Opportunities in Global Security and Liberal Democracy.” And I spoke (via Zoom) about the politics of Canadian support for Israel at the Limmud North America e-learning festival.
Upcoming Talks
This month, I'll be speaking about peace and the national interest at a conference marking the UN's International Day of Peace, and to the Probus Club of North York about Canadian foreign policy. Next month, I'll be speaking at Beth Tzedec Synagogue about Canada, Israel, and the United Nations.
On my reading list...
I can't wait to read Alex Marland's next book, Whipped: Party Discipline in Canada. It will be out in a couple of weeks. Marland is incredibly prolific, his scholarship is first-rate, and his access to current and retired practitioners is unmatched. Top Secret Canada: Understanding the Canadian Intelligence and National Security Community, edited by Stephanie Carvin, Thomas Juneau, and Craig Forcese, also looks great.
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My latest book is Canada on the United Nations Security Council: A Small Power on a Large Stage.