Storms continue to rage here in the beautiful city of Toronto. It feels like something big is coming. Radovan Karadzic is captured and charged with the siege of Sarajevo, and the Massacre at Srebrencia. His devastation and crimes still echo in the memories and hearts of the Bosnian Muslims and Croats in the former Yugoslavia. He used UN troops as human shields by hand cuffing them to military targets. He did the same with more than 8,000 Muslim women and children from Srebencia. Their male counterparts - those of ...More »

Yesterday, after literally millennia of its use as a ‘war tactic’, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to finally classify rape as a ‘weapon of war’. In this day and age rape is primarily employed as a terror tactic, and has, as such, been in direct contravention of the UN Declaration Of Human Rights since its inception. Of course, those that employ rape as a tactic don’t commonly adhere to the tenets of the UNDHR, so it’s somewhat of a moot point. Women and boys ...More »

The United States and the UK have today warned Iran that if they do not comply with UN resolutions regarding its nuclear program then tougher economic sanctions will be implemented, including oil and gas sanctions. The Bush Administration has also employed rhetoric suggesting that tougher measures are also a consideration and that ‘all options are on the table’. In completely related news, oil hit a record high today, reaching almost $140 dollars a barrel before falling off at the end of the day to $134.57. ...More »

It’s no secret that former President Jimmy Carter has his detractors. His more recent attempts to confront the problems plaguing Israeli - Palestinian relations have drawn scorn from many quarters, with many labeling him anti-Israeli. And now, during remarks made at the recent Hay-on-Wye festival, he has done what no American President has ever dared to do – openly state that Israel possesses nuclear weapons. Despite the fact that within the international intelligence community it is widely known that Israel possesses a nuclear arsenal that ...More »

It's a beautiful day here in the city of Toronto, who wouldn't get up early to enjoy it? Man, beaten to the punch on a Saturday morning! Thanks to all who supported me last week. I'll keep results short and by the numbers. 42 km +$4,300 for Right To Play $700 for the Colo rectal Cancer Society Of Canada +50 pairs of shoes for Shoes for Malawi Two sore knees 1 Happy Irish-Canadian Veteran An infinite number of thank yous to those that made it worth while. Nobody asked me, but ...More »

The Israeli fuel blockade of Gaza is forcing the United Nations to suspend humanitarian relief efforts. That said; why should we care that 80% of those living in Gaza rely on humanitarian assistance? They are, after all, terrorists, or at the very least terrorists in training (even in their cribs, correct?). Because as we’re all aware, when you’re born and raised in the world’s foremost ghetto the enticement of striking back against those you perceive to be oppressing you isn’t a predominant factor. If only ...More »

In a surprising move after reports that Turkey’s offensive in northern Iraq would be sustained for the foreseeable future, Turkish forces began withdrawing yesterday in force. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that the withdrawal occurred just after President Bush called on the Turkish government to end the offensive and a day after US Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited the Turkish capital to deliver Washington’s message that the incursion must not be open ended. Of course, the Turkish government and military is claiming ...More »

Nobody asked me but... The other day I was criticized as being one of many Canadians who didn't understand the conflict in the former Yugoslavia - or the issues involved in Kosovo declaring independence from Serbia. That statement is very true. I do not understand it. At least not anymore than I do any other conflict that rages on in the world. Though attempts to research and make sense of the former-Yugoslav does bring it's own unique challenges. Any attempt at trying to draw a time line that ...More »

In 1994, the world turned its back on Rwanda. In 100 days, some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered while the international community did nothing. The Security Council sold UNAMIR down the river, events in the Balkans taking precedent over one of the most horrific and systematic acts of genocide since the Second World War. But make no mistake; those that did nothing had their reasons. The French were flying some of the individuals involved in the masterminding of the genocide out of the ...More »

How about a Valentine's Day post? How about no. Nobody asked me but... I am not Serbian, nor are any of my relatives from the Balkans. I do however hold a special place in my heart for the former Yugoslav - and it's not just because of the plum brandy, the food or gorgeous tennis players. I'm 29 and ergo donc, my formative teenage years were in the early 90's. Items of culture and current events of that decade are memories I hold close to my heart. The ...More »