Michael Byers π¨π¦
@michael-byers.bsky.social
Co-director, Outer Space Institute
Chair, Salt Spring Forum
UBC Professor
Author, citizen, troublemaker
He/him
Michael Byers is a Canadian legal scholar and non-fiction author.
Source: Wikipedia
Political science
60%
Physics
18%
ANALYSIS | From umbrella to uncertainty: Europe and Canada's nuclear deterrence anxiety | CBC News
European allies are quietly exploring closer nuclear deterrence ties with France amid growing anxiety about the long-term reliability of U.S. security guarantees. Germany and Poland have acknowledged ...
www.cbc.ca
"We are at the table together with France, with the United Kingdom, with Germany, with Italy, with Poland. That's what makes us strong."
Satellite megaconstellations continue to grow. Could their debris fall on us?
"What happens if the minimum lethal amount of debris from each satellite does not burn up and reaches the ground intact?"
www.space.com
"What happens if the minimum lethal amount of debris from each satellite does not burn up and reaches the ground intact?"
You don't want to know the answer.
You don't want to know the answer.
Elon Muskβs hare-brained plans for SpaceX, xAI will wreck space for everyone
Proposed million data-centre satellites will lead to space debris and high costs
www.theglobeandmail.com
"Mr. Muskβs plan has serious weaknesses."
I took my concerns about 1 million data-centre satellites to the business section of Canada's national newspaper.
I took my concerns about 1 million data-centre satellites to the business section of Canada's national newspaper.
Notice of Meeting - NDDN (45-1) - No. 24 - House of Commons of Canada
Notice of Meeting - NDDN (45-1) - No. 24 - House of Commons of Canada
www.ourcommons.ca
I testified on the topic of critical minerals before the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence this morning.
The video of the session is available here:
The video of the session is available here:
Satellite megaconstellations and collective casualty risks
www.sciencedirect.com
The sky is, indeed, falling.
Cutting-edge research from Ewan Wright, available open access!
Cutting-edge research from Ewan Wright, available open access!
Reposted by Michael Byers
"[I]f you value the cost of dry cleaning your clothing after inevitably upchucking all over it during the end credits, then you should stay home, cancel your Prime Video account in protest, and send hopes and prayers that 2028 arrives sooner than later." -- Barry Hertz, reviewing "Melania" in G&M.
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
www.youtube.com
Let's make this a global anthem:
Why Inuit Hold the Keys to the Arcticβs Future | The Tyee
Donald Trump may want Greenland. Expert Michael Byers says Indigenous people will determine who governs the North.
thetyee.ca
I had a nice chat about Arctic security and sovereignty with Tyler Olsen of @thetyee.ca :
There are awful people, and then there are Nazis. I'm not okay with selling weapons to Nazis.
A Canadian-made armoured vehicle was spotted on Minneapolis streets the day ICE murdered Alex Pretti.
The company that sold ICE that monster as part of a $10 million deal? Roshel.
Whatβs more:
Canadaβs government brought Roshelβs CEO on a trade mission SIX DAYS AFTER Renee Good was murdered.
The company that sold ICE that monster as part of a $10 million deal? Roshel.
Whatβs more:
Canadaβs government brought Roshelβs CEO on a trade mission SIX DAYS AFTER Renee Good was murdered.
Good reporting here. Please watch and share.
Reposted by Michael Byers, David Murakami Wood
A Canadian-made armoured vehicle was spotted on Minneapolis streets the day ICE murdered Alex Pretti.
The company that sold ICE that monster as part of a $10 million deal? Roshel.
Whatβs more:
Canadaβs government brought Roshelβs CEO on a trade mission SIX DAYS AFTER Renee Good was murdered.
The company that sold ICE that monster as part of a $10 million deal? Roshel.
Whatβs more:
Canadaβs government brought Roshelβs CEO on a trade mission SIX DAYS AFTER Renee Good was murdered.
Canada weighs sending soldiers to Greenland as show of NATO solidarity with Denmark
Move would likely anger U.S. President Trump, who has threatened new tariffs on European countries that sent miliary personnel to Greenland
www.theglobeandmail.com
Only in Canada: A news story about the government considering whether it might, perhaps, do something.
A message in 3 flags: U.S. tourists are welcome, but this is a different country.
Greenland may be our first, best, and last chance to stand up to Donald Trump
The U.S. President is using Greenland to test how far he can impose his will. If NATO countries acquiesce on this, he will own all of us
www.theglobeandmail.com
My essay on standing up over Greenland fills a page in today's Globe and Mail.
Here's another gift link:
Here's another gift link:
International law in the Trump era
U.S. President has said he does not need international law as his administration reshapes geopolitical relationships
www.theglobeandmail.com
It's been a busy week for me at the Globe and Mail, including this podcast explaining international law: what it is, why it matters, and how even superpowers pay a price for violations.
Greenland may be our first, best, and last chance to stand up to Donald Trump
The U.S. President is using Greenland to test how far he can impose his will. If NATO countries acquiesce on this, he will own all of us
www.theglobeandmail.com
"Greenland may be our first, best, and last chance to stand up to Donald Trump"
My latest, as a gift article:
My latest, as a gift article:
Opinion: Itβs not too late to prevent a U.S. invasion of Greenland
If Donald Trump plans to acquire Greenland βone way or another,β he should feel the ire of the international community
www.theglobeandmail.com
This essay, published last April, could have been written yesterday:
Reposted by Michael Byers, Lindsay M. Tedds
The Hill Times
@hilltimes.com
Β· Jan 8
βGet the f**k off thereβ: MPs, Senators call on government to abandon X/Twitter following wave of βGrok pornβ
A proliferation of sexual deepfakes on X (formerly Twitter) has prompted other countries to investigate Grok, the platformβs AI software, but, so far, Ottawa remains silent.
www.hilltimes.com
A proliferation of sexual deepfakes on X has prompted other countries to investigate Grok, the platformβs AI software, but, so far, Ottawa remains silent.
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
Β© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
CBC radio host Stephen Quinn and I had a nice chat this morning - about Donald Trump, Venezuela, and Canadian self-respect.
Tottenham lost to Liverpool on Saturday, which was bad news for my PhD student Ewan Wright. But he's a good sport, and I tried hard not to celebrate.
At least one part of the U.S. campaign against Venezuela makes sense: taking on the βdark fleetβ
Amid debatably legal efforts to remove Nicolas Maduro, including a new blockade, the U.S. did show leadership on the world stage when it seized a falsely registered βdark fleetβ oil tanker
www.theglobeandmail.com
Can you name one good thing that Donald Trump has done?
I played that game in today's Globe and Mail.
Gift article here:
I played that game in today's Globe and Mail.
Gift article here:
My "fun" evening: Frantically rewriting a newspaper op-ed minutes before publication in response to a major policy announcement on social media by Donald Trump.
SACPA to host double-header
Joe Manio Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) will be hosting a double-header at
lethbridgeherald.com
If you're in frigid Lethbridge tonight, let me raise your temperature with some frank thoughts on Canada and Donald Trump:
Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs
Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs was founded in 1967. It is an independent forum, moderated by volunteers, debating issues of concern to the residents of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta.
www.sacpa.ca
"Elbows Up, Elbows Down? Donald Trump and the future of Canada"
That's the topic of my presentation in Lethbridge this Thursday night. All welcome!
That's the topic of my presentation in Lethbridge this Thursday night. All welcome!