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Adam Katz: Canada has interests in the Middle East. It’s time Ottawa defined them

Canada needs to make its Middle East policy explicit

In September, Canada’s diplomats will begin their yearly descent to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. As has been the case recently, many of the topics on the docket will concern Israel, the war in Iran and recent developments in the Middle East. Canada’s record at the United Nations raises questions about whether Ottawa has a clear strategy for dealing with the region, or simply responds to the diplomatic pressures of the moment. If recent years are any indication, Ottawa will once again call for peace, restraint and de-escalation.

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But foreign policy cannot consist of asking everyone to behave better.

Adam Katz: Canada has interests in the Middle East. It’s time Ottawa defined them Back to video

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The current government wants a seat at the table, a voice in international affairs and a reputation as a country capable of exerting influence beyond our borders. But before that can happen, Canada needs to decide what it actually wants in the Middle East, who its allies are, what threats it considers unacceptable and what kind of international order it intends to defend. Canada clearly understands that the international order is worth defending in Europe. Why should Canada be any less willing to defend it in the Middle East?

Put simply,........

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