France’s President Emmanuel Macron will be welcoming Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, to Paris on Monday for a meeting. This visit marks Carney’s first official foreign trip since assuming office, a notable choice given the usual protocol of a new Prime Minister initially meeting with the US President. This unconventional approach sparks considerable curiosity and speculation.
The decision to prioritize a meeting with Macron over the current US administration is intriguing, particularly considering the traditionally close relationship between Canada and the United States. It suggests a deliberate shift in foreign policy emphasis, perhaps reflecting a reassessment of global alliances and priorities.… Continue reading
Trump’s proposal to halve defense spending through a deal with Russia and China is certainly generating a lot of buzz, and for good reason. The sheer audacity of such a proposition, involving a significant reduction in US military capabilities alongside supposed commitments from long-standing geopolitical adversaries, is frankly staggering.
The immediate question that arises is whether this proposed agreement implies a proportional reduction in military spending across all three nations—the US, Russia, and China—or if the burden falls disproportionately on the United States. The lack of clarity around this point fuels speculation and considerable apprehension.
Many believe this move would significantly weaken the US military, potentially leaving the nation vulnerable on the global stage.… Continue reading
A new IISS report reveals that Russia’s 2023 defense spending, at $462 billion, surpassed the combined total of all European nations ($457 billion), a 42% increase for Russia. This increase, projected to continue at 13.7% in 2024, raises concerns about European security, especially if US support for Ukraine diminishes. While some European nations, notably Germany and the UK, increased spending, achieving targets like 3% or 5% of GDP for defense would necessitate massive budget increases and is not currently guaranteed. Russia’s sustained military spending, despite economic strain, underscores the significant security challenge it poses to Europe.
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The Senate overwhelmingly approved the $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025, despite significant criticism. The bill includes controversial provisions banning gender-affirming care for children of service members and prohibiting the Pentagon from citing Gaza casualty figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health. Opponents decried the bill’s high cost and argued that these provisions prioritize political agendas over the well-being of service members and their families. Advocates are urging President Biden to veto the NDAA, which they contend is the first federal legislation restricting access to medically necessary healthcare for transgender adolescents.
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Trump allies, and many Canadians themselves, are expressing growing impatience with Canada’s persistent failure to meet its NATO commitment on defense spending. Canada remains one of only eight NATO members not reaching the agreed-upon benchmark of 2% of GDP allocated to defense, currently hovering around 1.37%. This is especially striking considering Canada possesses the sixth-largest GDP among NATO allies yet ranks 27th in defense spending as a proportion of its GDP.
The discrepancy between Canada’s economic capacity and its defense expenditure is seen as particularly egregious by some. Comparisons are made to other nations facing far more challenging economic circumstances, yet still managing to meet the 2% target.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker