David McKinnon
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dbmckinnon.bsky.social
David McKinnon
@dbmckinnon.bsky.social
100 followers 57 following 55 posts
Recovering diplomat (Indo-Pacific). Eclectic enthusiasms. Former Canadian high commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives.
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Reposted by David McKinnon
Ed Luce's FT column this morning is pure brilliance.
Superb #breakfast in #Mostar #BosniaHercegovina with an iconic view to match. #SriLanka has a European rival in the breakfast league. Www.urban-Mostar.com
Summer in #Ottawa! My weekend’s work is cut out. #Raspberries are local and the #apricots from #Niagara. The preserves will be a welcome bit of summer in the basement when winter inevitably comes.
From me. The #G7 in Kananaskis was a significant opportunity to kickstart a reset the Canada-India relationship. Hazards remain, but each can be useful to the other as global turmoil shows no sign of abating. @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social
The #G7 Summit may be over, but the #Canada-#India relationship reset is just getting started.

APF Canada Senior Fellow @dbmckinnon.bsky.social looks beyond the Summit at the potential direction of the bilateral relationship amidst "the chaos of Donald #Trump’s administration 👇
Canada, India, and the Path Beyond the G7
As the excitement of the G7 in Kananaskis fades, it’s worth reflecting on where the strained but important Canada–India relationship may go from here.
www.asiapacific.ca
The egg did seem big.

A double yolk is supposed to bring good luck. No question we could use some wherever it can be found…
Took advantage of the train today to finish @vajra.me’s “The Saint of Bright Doors”. Totally unexpected, and remarkable on a number of levels. English writing coming out of #SriLanka continues to have a great run.
Only my third visit to #NiagaraFalls, and my first in summer. Notwithstanding all the endless tourist kitsch nearby, the Canadian falls did not disappoint.
New from me. Good that PM Carney let Canada’s interests guide the invitation to Indian PM Modi to attend the #G7, but the oversimplified response from much of the Canadian commentariat suggests we have a way to go before we can have a serious conversation about what we face.
Opinion: Values alone cannot build serious foreign policy
In an increasingly disordered world, Canada needs to beef up its international relationships
www.theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by David McKinnon
📢Blog par @dbmckinnon.bsky.social - La place du Canada dans un monde désordonné : Quelle est la prochaine étape pour la diplomatie canadienne ?

Une politique étrangère crédible et durable doit refléter ce que nous sommes, ce qui nous tient à cœur et ce que nous défendons...🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
Reposted by David McKinnon
📢New blog by @dbmckinnon.bsky.social - Canada’s Place in a Disordered World: What’s Next for Canadian Diplomacy?

A credible and enduring foreign policy will reflect who we are, what we care about, and what we stand for... 🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
Absolutely worth reading this piece by Brahma Chellaney on Trump’s dealings with India. The extraordinary self-destruction of US power and influence in the Indo-Pacific continues unabated. Art of the deal, only the best etc etc.
Commentary: Trump’s coercive use of trade threats against India during a military crisis, while easing pressure on China, has undermined trust in the U.S.-India partnership and exposed Washington as an unreliable security ally.
Trump’s wake-up call for India’s foreign policy
Trump may have done India a favor. His actions have exposed an uncomfortable truth: Under his leadership, the U.S. is not a dependable partner in matters of security.
www.japantimes.co.jp
Reposted by David McKinnon
Nous sommes impatients de participer à la conférence de lundi prochain !

Avec 3 panels :
🔷Dans quelle mesure pouvons-nous compter sur nos alliances ?
🔷Comment devrions-nous nous engager avec le reste du monde ?
🔷En quoi cela change-t-il notre diplomatie ?

>>> bit.ly/3EXmijn
Reposted by David McKinnon
We're excited for next Monday's conference!

Featuring 3 panels:
🔷How Much Can We Rely on Our Traditional Alliances?
🔷How Should We Engage the Rest of the World?
🔷How Does This Change Our Diplomacy?

@jacquelinebest.bsky.social @vinanadjibulla.bsky.social @dbmckinnon.bsky.social

>>> bit.ly/438FST4
Reposted by David McKinnon
As we see all too predictable breaches of electoral law, this great article explains why the ban on polling booth ballot selfies actually matters.
Foreign interference and the viral “Pencil-gate” conspiracy theory at Canada’s polling stations are connected.

I wrote on shenanigans at the polls and how to do our part to keep elections secure for @thestar.com

(And, I successfully snuck in the word “pollercoaster”…big win!)
There are good reasons for not taking selfies while we vote. Here’s why
This writ period, Canadian electors have had to navigate a steeplechase of deepfakes, conspiracy theories, intimidation and foreign interference. Security measures have proved resilient, but a pair of...
www.thestar.com
I am not exactly a church going guy, but I make an exception for special occasions.

Please vote!

#CanadaElections2025 #CanadaVotes
Apart from the arrival of spring in #Ottawa, Easter heralded another big change in our house: the arrival of six month old Patty. 15 year old Ozzie, the resident miniature poodle. does not yet seem to be as charmed as we are. He is getting more sleep, though.
Once the snow recedes, it doesn’t take long for some colourful reminders of the exuberant #Ottawa spring and summer to appear. I haven’t put away the snow shovel yet, however.
A bit early to be dreaming of a white Easter? #Spring #Ottawa
The Rideau Fallsbin #Ottawa onnMatch 2 and March 17. #Spring is arriving.