iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Sometimes an attack on all does NOT mean an attack on any one. Former Canadian ambassador Horak points out in today's Globe that the Pakistani-Turkish-Saudi NATO-like Mecca treaty just weeks ago has already failed to deliver. The Kingdom is left on its own www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Opinion: Saudi Arabia is caught between Iran and a hard place

Riyadh’s security relationship with the U.S. has become more uncertain than ever, just as Tehran cements its control over the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis reignite their war

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

“If we can’t summon the nerve to confront our economic problems now, we never will. if we aren’t willing to do what it takes to safeguard our independence, we don’t deserve it” www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... Though Coyne ignores a central tool we have: allies to create strength in numbers

Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

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After walking away from the trade talks, the next move should to call a moratorium on further talks. Time to turn the nation's attention to building our post-American future. I explain on CBC News Network www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

CBC's Andrew Nichols speaks with Ben Rowswell about Canada's sovereignty and trade

Get the latest on CBCNews.ca, the CBC News App, and CBC News Network for breaking news and analysis.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Today marks the anniversary of the Treaty of Niagara - in my Substack I explain why this was the founding act of Canada's sovereigtny. open.substack.com/pub/benrowsw...

open.substack.com

262 Years of Canadian Sovereignty

The Treaty of Niagara gave rise to a single political community encompassing all who live here. The way our sovereignty was born shapes it to this day.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Jarring historical honesty on arrival here in #Newfoundland, where the posters at St John’s airport acknowledge that Beothuk culture “has now been erased forever.” Canada is a better country when we acknowledge all of our history, not just the positive parts

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Irvin Studin puts it well - the PM's preferences for ad hoc coalitions with middle powers is a useful new direction, but we would do better to frame our foreign policy as maximizing Canadian power www.cbc.ca/player/play/....

Dr. Irvin Studin discusses PM Mark Carney's post-NATO article in The Economist

Get the latest on CBCNews.ca, the CBC News App, and CBC News Network for breaking news and analysis

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

I just happened to be in Windsor for this awful day for Canada. Our citizens paid entirely for this magnificent bridge, but it will now be used as a cash cow for U.S crony capitalists. The Gordie Howe bridge should have been a symbol of our friendship: now it will be a symbol of our exploitation

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Resources devoted to the Venezuelan earthquakes are one tenth what Haiti had to recover from its 2010 catastrophe. And yet the U.S. has now taken $8 billion out since assuming control of the country. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/u...

nytimes.com

How Marco Rubio Is Running Venezuela From Afar

The secretary of state effectively controls Venezuela’s finances, the distribution of its natural resources and its government. His grip on the country is a vivid manifestation of American power in th...

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

“Everybody who believes in freedom and democracy and the dignity of the person and the right of nations to self-determination should be working toward the destruction of the United States’ capacity to project power.” Strong words from one of Canada’s top U.S. watchers www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/o...

nytimes.com

Opinion | The Zombification of America

Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

NATO is much more than the United States. The U.S. president may generate a lot of drama, but the democratic members of NATO are making rapid strides at building defence ties between us even as the U.S. President changes his tune from day to day. See my interview on CBC: www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

CBC's Andrew Nichols discusses the NATO summit in Turkey with former Canadian diplomat Ben Rowswell

Get the latest on CBCNews.ca, the CBC News App, and CBC News Network for breaking news and analysis.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

In 250 years, the U.S. has come full circle - from defender of freedom to its most powerful opponent. www.wsj.com/world/americ... Nowhere is the United States wholehearted embrace of authoritarianism clearer than in #Venezuela

wsj.com

Exclusive | How Machado’s Return to Venezuela Got Derailed After U.S. Resistance

The opposition leader’s plan to return home after devastating earthquakes unraveled in midflight.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Commemorating a country's anniversayr can be an opportunity to improve it, not just to accept the past uncritically. The inspiring Bryan Stevenson explains how, as his country celebrates its 250th anniversary tomorrow: www.nytimes.com/2026/07/03/o...

nytimes.com

Opinion | The America That’s Still Possible

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Indigenous leaders call for an investigation into the Alberta government's corruption: substack.com/home/post/p-.... Time for a settling of accounts after the unconstitutional theft of resources on a historic scale

substack.com

Alberta Has Been Freeloading Off First Nations for a Century. Now Smith Wants to Audit Them.

$315 billion in royalties. Zero to the treaty nations whose land it came from. Let’s talk about accountability.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Prime Minister Carney commits to reopening Canada's embassy in #Venezuela. We should never have left in the first place. May we use this prod to reopen embassies in Iran, Syria, Afghanistan & everywhere else Canadians will need help after the next disaster www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

Canada to provide Venezuela earthquake humanitarian aid, Carney says

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is looking to direct humanitarian aid to Venezuela as death tolls rise after two earthquakes struck near the country's capital on Wednesday. Carney added that Ve...

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Having worked with the Canadian Museum of Human Rights on very divisive issues in the past, I can attest to the professionalism of their staff and the extraordinary lengths its leadership goes to achieve balance. humanrights.ca/exhibition/p....

humanrights.ca

Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present | CMHR

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

This World Refugee Day, I hope Canadians will acknowledge that Canada has significantly restricted access to our country - to our detriment. In my activism I'm surrounded by dozens of hardworking refugees deeply committed to Canada's values like the ones profiled here www.thestar.com/news/canada/...

thestar.com

Canada gave these former refugees a chance. Now they’re pushing back against anti-refugee claims

Ottawa has recently passed a law to restrict eligibility for asylum and changed rules to limit health-care coverage for asylum seekers.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Fascinating argument by Arif Lalani and co in this recap of this week's #G7 Summit. Now that G7 leaders can't agree on anything significant given U.S. disruption, the G7 matters more for the non-G7 players that come to the summits. Like India at Evian. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJw...

youtube.com

Did the G7 Confirm a Shift in Global Power? | The Rundown

YouTube video by TVO Today

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

The most significant outcome from the #G7 this week is not about #Ukraine or #Iran. It is that there was no communique - no general agreement on issues. The institution is a shadow of its former self, now that it includes an authoritarian state-the U.S.-alongside major industrialized democracies.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

A tide of authoritarianism is building up in Latin America, from El Salvador to Peru to the American overlords in Venezuela. But Latin Americans have deeper experience in the populist brand of authoritarianism than most.

instagram.com

Instagram

Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

In one hour! Join us if you are in Toronto. A talk about what it takes to stand up for freedom, whether in the face of homophobia in Canada or repression in Syria. We are only truly free when others around us are free - that's why it's so important to see our struggles for liberty as collective

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

If you are in #Toronto, come Wednesday 6 to 8 pm to hear the courage of Francois Zankih, LGBT activist in Syria who faced the full ferocity of repression and stands firm, from the refuge Canada has now given him. He's an inspiration to us all. form.jotform.com/261515213923...

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The G7, opening today in France, is but a shadow of its former self. The alliance Canada needs to build up now is an alliance for digital sovereignty. That work begins in October when PM Carney will host European and Asian countries here. My latest Substack explains

Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

No more concessions to the U.S. July 1 will come and go with no deal that Canada can support. My counsel to the Canadian negotiating team: be patient and stick to your guns, the Americans will cave because their government is not negotiating in the national interest www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

CBC'S Andrew Nichols Speaks with Ben Rowswell about the Gordie Howe Bridge

CBC News App, and CBC News Network for breaking news and analysis

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

On CBC today, I explained that in delaying opening the Gordie Howe bridge between Detroit and Michigan, the U.S. government is siding with a corrupt tycoon and damaging the economic interests of both countries. That tycoon is also investing in Canada - we must be on guard www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Moroun family of Michigan expanding controversial concrete empire to Windsor | CBC News

The wealthy family behind the Ambassador Bridge linking Ontario and Michigan is planning to expand its controversial concrete empire across the border to Canada, records show.

Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Free trade requires binding dispute settlement mechanisms. That’s why CUSMA is not a free trade agreement in practice anymore. Or, as trade law expert Lawrence Herman puts it, CUSMA is dead. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...

Opinion: North American free trade is gone, dead and buried

Trump’s MAGA philosophy holds a deep-seated antipathy to trade agreements and the idea of a North American free-trade area

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Worrisome reports that Canada is making even more concessions to a predatory U.S. on CUSMA - this time on media rules that help uphold our national identity www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti.... There should be no concessions without public debate

Carney’s online streaming act about-face is a blow to middle-power solidarity

After his rousing Davos speech, Carney’s cave in to entertainment conglomerates is a set back

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Listen now! The Rev Deana Dudley of the Metropolitan Community Church recounting 25 years of legal same-sex marriage, first consecrated at this Toronto church - a landmark of global human rights movement. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-... Happy 25th anniversary of this new frontier of freedom MCC!

Ontario Today with Amanda Pfeffer | Live Radio | CBC Listen

Unscripted and honest radio debates. Ontario Today is never shy. The host, studio guests and callers dive right into the contentious issues of the day. CBC Radio One from 12 to 1 ET. Call-in 1-888-817...

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

A deputy minister recently told me “the only ism we should focus on in foreign policy is realism.” But few of us who have lived in war zones find that realism explains outcomes. This excellent Substack provides a recent explanation of how realism fails us open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

The US/Israeli Bombing Of Iran: Means and Ways Without Ends

An Update

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Venezuela’s most prestigious economist has a description for U.S. control of the Venezuelan economy www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/h...

project-syndicate.org

The Rape of Venezuela

Ricardo Hausmann shows why economic conditions for ordinary Venezuelans continue to worsen, despite rising oil revenue.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

The first concrete steps to restoring Canadian relevance in #Venezuela last week - two diplomats visited Caracas to hold preliminary talks with the regime. Perhaps the cloud of U.S. control over a sovereign country has a silver lining for Canadian diplomacy at least www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.com

Canada Envoys Visit Venezuela as Carney Weighs Reopening Embassy

Canadian diplomats traveled to Venezuela last week as Mark Carney’s government mulls restoring formal ties after the US operation to remove President Nicolás Maduro.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

The mood is buzzing here at CANSEC this morning with the PM’s announcement: Canada takes a step toward sovereign defence, our airborne surveillance systems will now come from democratic allies, not the U.S. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Canada negotiating to buy Saab's GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft | CBC News

Canada has entered into negotiations with Saab to buy its GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday.

Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

A third powerful instalment in the architecture for digital sovereignty that the @canadianshieldinstitute.ca‬ is assembling. canadianshieldinstitute.ca/latest-updat... Part 3 surveys the foreign conquest of our intellectual property, and outlines what it would take for Canadians to retake control

canadianshieldinstitute.ca

Invisible Assets: Canada's IP Blind Spot

By Vass Bednar

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Reposted by Ben Rowswell

The Canadian Shield Institute @canadianshieldinstitute.ca · 20/05/2026

Intellectual property is a key governance structure for the 21st century digital economy. If Canada is going to meaningfully assert our digital sovereignty, we need a better national IP strategy. Read Chapter 3 of Foundations of Digital Sovereignty: canadianshieldinstitute.ca/latest-updat...

canadianshieldinstitute.ca

Invisible Assets: Canada's IP Blind Spot

By Vass Bednar

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

When the U.S. forced Canadian company Sherritt International to divest from Cuba, it was to hand the company to a Trump crony. I told Bloomberg that this was an instance of the Donroe Doctrine - overriding our sovereignty to dominate energy and mining interests. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.com

How Trump’s Cuba Grudge Threw a 99-Year-Old Mining Company Into Turmoil

Facing a crisis after the US expanded sanctions on Cuba, Sherritt International may now be rescued by a former adviser to the president.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Alberta MPs face an opportunity to articulate what the value of Canada is to them. Is Canada worth defending unconditionally, and if not, what conditions do you attach? A golden moment to show your patriotic colours. Great piece by Peter Donolo in the Globe: www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Opinion: Why aren’t more Alberta MPs standing against separatism?

They can take inspiration from the many federalists in Quebec who fought for Canada

Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

In today's Globe: Defeats like the one the U.S. just suffered in #Iran can sap a country's power for many years to come. Canada is only just regaining our own confidence and willingness to project power after #Afghanistan where I led our mission in Kandahar www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Opinion: I know firsthand why the U.S. will never admit that it lost the war in Iran

There are great costs when a mission’s failure becomes a nation’s failure. That’s why leaders will avoid acknowledging defeat at all costs, even when it’s plain for all to see

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

In today's Globe I point out the obvious: the U.S. has lost the war against #Iran. It took a weak, isolated and detested regime, picked a fight with it and lost. It's hard, but America's allies must take note: U.S. power will decline further after this defeat www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Opinion: I know firsthand why the U.S. will never admit that it lost the war in Iran

There are great costs when a mission’s failure becomes a nation’s failure. That’s why leaders will avoid acknowledging defeat at all costs, even when it’s plain for all to see

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Mary Simon was an outstanding Governor General. Some reflections to share on Substack by a former resident of Rideau Hall open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

open.substack.com

A tribute to Mary Simon

Here is an excellent – and perfectly accurate – description of the contributions of Mary Simon both as Governor General and before.

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Both heartbreaking and infuriating to read of another Indigenous child's death while in the foster care of non-Indigenous parents - this time by outright murder. www.thestar.com/news/ontario... A reminder that Indigenous children are 4X more likely to be harmed when taken out of their communities

thestar.com

Ontario women guilty of first-degree murder in ‘horrific’ death of malnourished boy they were trying to adopt

Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney were accused of killing the 12‑year‑old boy they intended to adopt — an Indigenous child prosecutors alleged they “despised, deprived and abused.”

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Ed Luce is the first to call the U.S. and Israeli attack on #Iran and #Lebanon the Third Gulf War. The arc is now complete, three wars that trace the decline of the U.S. from the height of its superpower status to the loss of that status altogether. www.ft.com/content/efa8...

ft.com

Get used to the long Iran war

Tehran has a strong incentive to keep the conflict going

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Canada now participating in EU geopolitical strategy summit as the first non-European participant. A good start - the world’s democracies need a forum to align our security strategy now that G7, NATO and other organizations no longer limited to democracies www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

European Union says Carney will be in Armenia this weekend for summit on strategic issues

Canada is the first non-European country to take part in the summit, Antonio Costa says

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Ben Rowswell @benrowswell.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Don't look to the U.S. midterm elections for any relief from U.S. economic aggression against Canada. Wishful thinking is tempting, but Canadians must assess U.S. politics dispassionately. An understanding of how populist authoritarian systems function helps. My Substack explains how