Latest news with #Axworthy
Toronto Sun
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Axworthy accuses Carney of taking 'bootlicking' approach to Trump
Published Jul 02, 2025 • 4 minute read Lloyd Axworthy, the former minister of foreign affairs, addresses an "Elbow Up, Canada!" rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia Network OTTAWA — Former Liberal foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy is accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of taking a 'bootlicking' approach to U.S. President Donald Trump at the expense of Canadian values. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'You have to be principled, you have to be tactical, you have to be pragmatic. But you also have to be tough and know what you stand for,' Axworthy said in an interview with The Canadian Press. 'Flattery is always part of the game, but you can take it to the point where you actually become unctuous.' Axworthy spoke to The Canadian Press after issuing an online broadside last Sunday against the Carney government. Axworthy, whom prime minister Jean Chretien appointed as foreign affairs minister from 1996 to 2000, oversaw the Ottawa Treaty that banned landmines in numerous countries. He has been a prominent voice on international relations, including through advocacy with the World Refugee and Migration Council. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In a blog post following the NATO summit — where alliance members agreed to Trump's demand for a massive increase in the alliance's defence spending target — Axworthy accused Carney and other world leaders of bending a knee to Trump. 'NATO now risks letting one craven, mendacious man set the tone for a strategy of unrestrained militarism,' Axworthy wrote, arguing it's dangerous to let defence policy be decided by 'the abusive, racist bullying of Donald Trump.' Read More He also argued that the summit did not adequately push to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and instead committed alliance members to a level of defence spending that will lead to cuts to social programs and likely foreign aid. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'A pattern is now set: Trump harrumphs, we comply. What else will we quietly surrender? Cultural industries? Environmental standards, agriculture security, Arctic sovereignty?' he wrote. In the interview, Axworthy singled out NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's exchange with Trump during the NATO summit — which saw Rutte refer to the president as 'daddy' — as an 'embarrassing' moment. He also said his concerns have been further bolstered by Carney's decision to rescind the Digital Services Tax that targeted American tech giants, as the prime minister and Trump undertake what he calls 'secret' trade negotiations with no parliamentary scrutiny. 'When do we stop pretending it's all part of some clever negotiating strategy that justifies bootlicking in hopes of tariff concessions?' he wrote in the blog post. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Trump suggested in March that the U.S. might sell allies fighter jets that lack the same capabilities as those used by the U.S. military. Axworthy told The Canadian Press it's unwise to accept a situation where 'the Pentagon controls the black boxes in your airplanes and your destroyers.' Axworthy said he sees the Carney government pushing ahead with foreign policy and domestic legislation focused on economic security, while ignoring the need to invest in diplomacy to prevent conflicts and defend Canadian values abroad. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Instead of solely focusing on military spending, he said Ottawa could mobilize investment and governments of various countries to have better freshwater management, because numerous countries are on track for major droughts that can lead to armed conflict. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Axworthy said Carney's major-projects legislation, Bill C-5, has undercut reconciliation efforts with First Nations and the government 'ignored' Indigenous Peoples in its rush to get the bill passed. 'It's way past (just) being consulted. They have to be partners. They have to be involved. They're basically the third pillar of this country,' the former Manitoba MP said of Indigenous Peoples. 'You're going to get the machinery working, but you're going to leave a lot of roadkill along the way.' The government fast-tracked the sweeping legislation and opted against shortening the 12-week summer break to give it more study. Carney's office has not yet responded for a request for a comment. The prime minister himself was extolling the virtues of Canadian democracy Tuesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We find ourselves in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist,' Carney said in his Canada Day remarks. 'In a world that's fraught with division … we've decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build.' Axworthy noted that Carney came from a life outside of politics and said that's among the reasons why he endorsed Chrystia Freeland instead of Carney in this year's Liberal leadership race. 'I don't think he's ever knocked on that door or gone to a constituency meeting until he became a leadership candidate,' he said in the interview. Axworthy repeated an idea he floated in January — that Ottawa should work with the countries Trump has talked of absorbing to mount a campaign to promote rules-based trade and peace in the Arctic. Sports Money News MLB Editorial Cartoons Toronto Maple Leafs
Hamilton Spectator
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Lloyd Axworthy accuses Carney of taking ‘bootlicking' approach to Trump
OTTAWA - Former Liberal foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy is accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of taking a 'bootlicking' approach to U.S. President Donald Trump at the expense of Canadian values. 'You have to be principled, you have to be tactical, you have to be pragmatic. But you also have to be tough and know what you stand for,' Axworthy said in an interview with The Canadian Press. 'Flattery is always part of the game, but you can take it to the point where you actually become unctuous.' Axworthy spoke to The Canadian Press after issuing an online broadside last Sunday against the Carney government. Axworthy, whom prime minister Jean Chrétien appointed as foreign affairs minister from 1996 to 2000, oversaw the Ottawa Treaty that banned landmines in numerous countries. He has been a prominent voice on international relations, including through advocacy with the World Refugee and Migration Council. In a blog post following the NATO summit — where alliance members agreed to Trump's demand for a massive increase in the alliance's defence spending target — Axworthy accused Carney and other world leaders of bending a knee to Trump. 'NATO now risks letting one craven, mendacious man set the tone for a strategy of unrestrained militarism,' Axworthy wrote, arguing it's dangerous to let defence policy be decided by 'the abusive, racist bullying of Donald Trump.' He also argued that the summit did not adequately push to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and instead committed alliance members to a level of defence spending that will lead to cuts to social programs and likely foreign aid. 'A pattern is now set: Trump harrumphs, we comply. What else will we quietly surrender? Cultural industries? Environmental standards, agriculture security, Arctic sovereignty?' he wrote. In the interview, Axworthy singled out NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's exchange with Trump during the NATO summit — which saw Rutte refer to the president as 'daddy' — as an 'embarrassing' moment. He also said his concerns have been further bolstered by Carney's decision to rescind the digital services tax that targeted American tech giants, as the prime minister and Trump undertake what he calls 'secret' trade negotiations with no parliamentary scrutiny. 'When do we stop pretending it's all part of some clever negotiating strategy that justifies bootlicking in hopes of tariff concessions?' he wrote in the blog post. Trump suggested in March that the U.S. might sell allies fighter jets that lack the same capabilities as those used by the U.S. military. Axworthy told The Canadian Press it's unwise to accept a situation where 'the Pentagon controls the black boxes in your airplanes and your destroyers.' Axworthy said he sees the Carney government pushing ahead with foreign policy and domestic legislation focused on economic security, while ignoring the need to invest in diplomacy to prevent conflicts and defend Canadian values abroad. Instead of solely focusing on military spending, he said Ottawa could mobilize investment and governments of various countries to have better freshwater management, because numerous countries are on track for major droughts that can lead to armed conflict. Axworthy said Carney's major-projects legislation, Bill C-5, has undercut reconciliation efforts with First Nations and the government 'ignored' Indigenous Peoples in its rush to get the bill passed. 'It's way past (just) being consulted. They have to be partners. They have to be involved. They're basically the third pillar of this country,' the former Manitoba MP said of Indigenous Peoples. 'You're going to get the machinery working, but you're going to leave a lot of roadkill along the way.' The government fast-tracked the sweeping legislation and opted against shortening the 12-week summer break to give it more study. Carney's office has not yet responded for a request for comment. The prime minister himself was extolling the virtues of Canadian democracy Tuesday. 'We find ourselves in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist,' Carney said in his Canada Day remarks. 'In a world that's fraught with division … we've decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build.' Axworthy noted that Carney came from a life outside politics and said that's among the reasons why he endorsed Chrystia Freeland instead of Carney in this year's Liberal leadership race. 'I don't think he's ever knocked on that door or gone to a constituency meeting until he became a leadership candidate,' he said in the interview. Axworthy repeated an idea he floated in January — that Ottawa should work with the countries Trump has talked of absorbing to mount a campaign to promote rules-based trade and peace in the Arctic. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lloyd Axworthy accuses Carney of taking ‘bootlicking' approach to Trump
OTTAWA – Former Liberal foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy is accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of taking a 'bootlicking' approach to U.S. President Donald Trump at the expense of Canadian values. 'You have to be principled, you have to be tactical, you have to be pragmatic. But you also have to be tough and know what you stand for,' Axworthy said in an interview with The Canadian Press. 'Flattery is always part of the game, but you can take it to the point where you actually become unctuous.' Axworthy spoke to The Canadian Press after issuing an online broadside last Sunday against the Carney government. Axworthy, whom prime minister Jean Chrétien appointed as foreign affairs minister from 1996 to 2000, oversaw the Ottawa Treaty that banned landmines in numerous countries. He has been a prominent voice on international relations, including through advocacy with the World Refugee and Migration Council. In a blog post following the NATO summit — where alliance members agreed to Trump's demand for a massive increase in the alliance's defence spending target — Axworthy accused Carney and other world leaders of bending a knee to Trump. 'NATO now risks letting one craven, mendacious man set the tone for a strategy of unrestrained militarism,' Axworthy wrote, arguing it's dangerous to let defence policy be decided by 'the abusive, racist bullying of Donald Trump.' He also argued that the summit did not adequately push to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and instead committed alliance members to a level of defence spending that will lead to cuts to social programs and likely foreign aid. 'A pattern is now set: Trump harrumphs, we comply. What else will we quietly surrender? Cultural industries? Environmental standards, agriculture security, Arctic sovereignty?' he wrote. In the interview, Axworthy singled out NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's exchange with Trump during the NATO summit — which saw Rutte refer to the president as 'daddy' — as an 'embarrassing' moment. He also said his concerns have been further bolstered by Carney's decision to rescind the digital services tax that targeted American tech giants, as the prime minister and Trump undertake what he calls 'secret' trade negotiations with no parliamentary scrutiny. 'When do we stop pretending it's all part of some clever negotiating strategy that justifies bootlicking in hopes of tariff concessions?' he wrote in the blog post. Trump suggested in March that the U.S. might sell allies fighter jets that lack the same capabilities as those used by the U.S. military. Axworthy told The Canadian Press it's unwise to accept a situation where 'the Pentagon controls the black boxes in your airplanes and your destroyers.' Axworthy said he sees the Carney government pushing ahead with foreign policy and domestic legislation focused on economic security, while ignoring the need to invest in diplomacy to prevent conflicts and defend Canadian values abroad. Instead of solely focusing on military spending, he said Ottawa could mobilize investment and governments of various countries to have better freshwater management, because numerous countries are on track for major droughts that can lead to armed conflict. Axworthy said Carney's major-projects legislation, Bill C-5, has undercut reconciliation efforts with First Nations and the government 'ignored' Indigenous Peoples in its rush to get the bill passed. 'It's way past (just) being consulted. They have to be partners. They have to be involved. They're basically the third pillar of this country,' the former Manitoba MP said of Indigenous Peoples. 'You're going to get the machinery working, but you're going to leave a lot of roadkill along the way.' The government fast-tracked the sweeping legislation and opted against shortening the 12-week summer break to give it more study. Carney's office has not yet responded for a request for comment. The prime minister himself was extolling the virtues of Canadian democracy Tuesday. 'We find ourselves in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist,' Carney said in his Canada Day remarks. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'In a world that's fraught with division … we've decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build.' Axworthy noted that Carney came from a life outside politics and said that's among the reasons why he endorsed Chrystia Freeland instead of Carney in this year's Liberal leadership race. 'I don't think he's ever knocked on that door or gone to a constituency meeting until he became a leadership candidate,' he said in the interview. Axworthy repeated an idea he floated in January — that Ottawa should work with the countries Trump has talked of absorbing to mount a campaign to promote rules-based trade and peace in the Arctic. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
5 must-read books to understand Iran: Revolution, resistance & rivalries
After Israeli and US warplanes struck deep inside Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, government compounds, and military bases, the Islamic Republic retaliated with missile barrages and drone swarms aimed at Israeli cities. Now, an uneasy ceasefire has been announced. But, how did we get here? These five books unravel Iran's journey from its revolution to becoming a regional powerhouse and how a regime born in 1979 became the architect of an anti-Western 'Axis of Resistance.' With live explosions making headlines, these reads offer what news cycles cannot: the deep history and strategic logic behind the Islamic Republic's defiance. Understand these books, and you'll understand why this fight won't end with one night of airstrikes. Milani's book examines Iran's ascent as a regional power, challenging the US and its allies through proxies and strategic alliances. From Syria to Yemen, Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' has reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics. Milani, an Iranian-American scholar, traces Tehran's strategy: exploiting power vacuums, backing militant groups, and leveraging Shia ties. He also explores internal tensions (economic woes, protests, and elite infighting) that could undermine its ambitions. The book's key insight? Iran's rise isn't just ideological but tactical, exploiting US missteps in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet overreach risks backlash, as seen in Arab Gulf states' countermoves. Michael Axworthy's Revolutionary Iran is the most comprehensive English-language history of the Islamic Republic, tracing its evolution from the 1979 revolution to today. Axworthy argues that the regime has proven remarkably resilient, surviving war, sanctions, and internal dissent. He examines the Iran-Iraq War's brutal legacy, the ideological battles between reformists and hardliners, and Iran's nuclear ambitions. Axworthy avoids caricature, presenting Iran as neither a rogue state nor a victim but as a complex player with its own strategic logic. The book explores how revolutionary fervor gave way to pragmatic governance, yet how anti-Western rhetoric remains central to Iran's identity. Updated in 2019, it includes the impact of the Trump administration's 'maximum pressure' campaign and Iran's regional proxy wars. How has Iran outlasted decades of isolation and internal turmoil? Amin Saikal's Iran Rising answers this by dissecting the regime's adaptability. Unlike predictions of collapse, Iran has expanded its influence, through proxies such as Hezbollah, nuclear brinkmanship, and shrewd diplomacy. Saikal, a seasoned Iran scholar, explains how the Islamic Republic balances revolutionary ideology with realpolitik. He analyzes key moments: the hostage crisis, the Iran-Iraq War, the nuclear deal, and Syria's civil war. The book also highlights Iran's unique hybrid system, where elected leaders coexist with uneclerical rulers, allowing flexibility in foreign policy while suppressing dissent at home. The book's strength lies in its forward-looking perspective. Can Iran sustain its regional power amid economic distress and youth discontent? Saikal suggests that internal pressures, not external threats, may force change. A must-read for understanding Iran's endurance and what comes next. Ray Takeyh's Hidden Iran dismantles Western misconceptions, arguing that Iran is neither an irrational theocracy nor a monolithic regime. Instead, it's a battleground of competing factions, hardliners, reformists, and pragmatists, each shaping policy in unpredictable ways. Takeyh explores Iran's 'dual containment' strategy: confronting the US while engaging Europe and Asia. He unpacks Tehran's nuclear calculus, showing how domestic politics drive defiance rather than mere ideological zeal. The book also critiques US policy failures, advocating engagement over isolation. Though published in 2006, Hidden Iran remains relevant for its insights into Iran's decision-making. Stephen Kinzer's gripping All the Shah's Men recounts the 1953 CIA-backed coup that ousted Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, a pivotal event poisoning US-Iran relations for decades. Kinzer blends spy thriller pacing with sharp analysis, showing how British oil interests and Cold War paranoia led America to overthrow Mossadegh, reinstating the Shah. The backlash fueled anti-Western resentment, paving the way for the 1979 revolution. More than just history, the book explains why Iran distrusts America, and how blowback shapes today's conflicts. Kinzer's warning about interventionist folly resonates as the US and Iran remain locked in hostility.
Winnipeg Free Press
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg conference explores need for fostering hope
How can we tackle the challenges facing the world today and work towards a more positive future? How do we find hope to promote and sustain collective action? What role can diverse faith traditions play in helping Canada face the most pressing demands of our time? Those were topics addressed at the June 15-17 Our Whole Society Conference at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights here in Winnipeg. The theme of the conference, which was sponsored by the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, was Fostering Hope in a Divided World. For Héctor A. Acero Ferrer, one of the conference organizers, the event was an opportunity 'to build robust dialogue between religious traditions about their role in society' and a way to 'build connections across divides in the world.' Rocky Baronins is the community relations committee chair for the Manitoba Multifaith Council and one of the supporters of the conference. For him, the conference was a way to bring thought leaders from across Canada together for 'deep conversations about the challenges facing the world today.' One of those thought leaders was Payam Akhavan, a Canadian human rights lawyer. Speaking at the opening plenary, Akhavan said the world is facing an onslaught of rage that is imperiling a 'vision for a shared humanity.' Despite this, Akhavan said he sees hope as people work together to defuse anger and resist efforts to dehumanize others. These 'actions on the ground,' where people actively reach out to others, can counter fear about the future — despite how challenging the situation seems to be. 'We discover resilience when we confront despair,' he said, noting people must resist messages that dehumanize others like refugees and immigrants, or those who have different political opinions. This dehumanization 'needs to be confronted more than ever,' Akhavan said. A member of the Baha'i faith, Akhavan added that spirituality is an important part of that confrontation — through service. 'We must show compassion and concern for others,' he said, adding that by serving others we can 'save our own souls.' Lloyd Axworthy, long-time federal politician and the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1996-2000, spoke the following day about finding hope in a fractious world. For him, hope is a 'moral summons, an imperative' that grows out of core beliefs such as his Christian faith as a member of the United Church of Canada. One of those core beliefs for Axworthy is the requirement to serve others and seek the best for them — something that helped guide him when making difficult decisions on the international stage. When it comes to bringing faith into politics, Axworthy said he was not 'naïve' about how challenging that can be. But, he said, 'we need courageous people' who are willing to go into politics and 'make choices based on their faith or spirituality.' Despite the challenges facing the world today, 'we still have to commit to building a better future,' he stated, adding it is an unsettling time for many since the old world order is disappearing, partly due to the actions of Donald Trump, 'while the new one is not yet born.' It won't be easy to see this new order be born, Axworthy said, but he believes it can be done as people 'exercise their faith and hope in a risky way.' The final keynote speaker was Elin Kelsey, author of the book Hope Matters: Why Changing the Way We Think Is Critical to Solving the Environmental Crisis. She spoke about finding hope despite the current environmental crisis. Citing a survey that showed nearly half of people 16 to 25 reported feeling distressed or anxious about climate change in a way that was affecting their daily lives and functioning, Kelsey placed fault at the feet of the media for mainly reporting on the detrimental effects of climate change while ignoring the many ways people around the world are addressing it and finding solutions. 'Less than three per cent of media stories about climate change even include a mention of a solution,' she said, adding this kind of reporting can lead to anxiety, cynicism and apathy. For her, the climate crisis is as much a 'crisis of hope' as it is about the actual challenges posed by a changing climate for the planet. And, she added, when people feel hopeless they then feel disempowered. But, Kelsey said, when people are offered stories about positive ways climate change is being addressed, they feel hopeful about the possibility of change. This doesn't mean ignoring what she called 'pain stories' about the negative impact of climate change. 'We can tell those stories, but we don't need to stop there,' Kelsey said. 'We should also look for stories about where things are moving in a positive direction.' At the same time, Kelsey didn't minimize the nature of the climate crisis. But she chooses to be hopeful. 'It's a choice,' she said, that can translate into action. 'Hope is not complacent. It is a powerful political act.' faith@ The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. 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