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Prof Melanie O'Brien

@drmelob.bsky.social
3.4K followers 926 following 21K posts

Prof Int Law & AssocDean (Research) UWA. Visiting Scholar @umnlawschool.bsky.social. Aust Red Cross volunteer. Int crim law; genocide studies; IHL; human rights. All posts my opinion. ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3571

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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 8h
'the financial benefits of journalism were being diverted to AI companies that did not pay for the “highly labour-intensive journalism’’.' Oh but sure, let's allow GenAI companies to do whatever they want 🤨 #tech www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/artif...
theaustralian.com.au
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 9h
Fascinating article on civilNet study of fake propaganda output from LLMs, across Armenian, English & Russian prompts. A strong case for not using LLMs (confirming that they just reproduce words with no critical context). #GenAI #tech civilnet.am/en/news/1014...
civilnet.am
How AI models have become a new tool for disinformation in Armenia
In March 2026, social media was flooded with unusual videos: world-famous rock stars Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) and Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth) suddenly appeared on screen...
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Yeah, just to let you know, cops, that you're arresting the wrong people. The war criminal/genocidaire was inside the building. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder arrested at anti-Netanyahu protest in New York
Actors detained at Jewish Voice for Peace demonstration against Israeli prime minister’s address to the UN general assembly
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
$85 in royalties in the past year, y'all.
static.klipy.com
Man Jumps into a Pool Full of Money
ALT: Man Jumps into a Pool Full of Money
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Another CAR conviction at the #ICC. Mahamat said Abdel Kani convicted of the crimes against humanity of imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty, #torture, persecution and other inhumane acts. Found not guilty of #WarCrimes. #IntLaw apnews.com/article/neth...
apnews.com
ICC convicts former Central African Republic militia commander of torture
Judges at the International Criminal Court have convicted former Seleka rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of persecution and torture as crimes against humanity committed while he ran a prison in...
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Reposted by Prof Melanie O'Brien
Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
🚨🚨 #MAGA is making the world safe for #corruption. Strong piece by @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu on how far-right ideologies have transformed #American #foreignpolicy into a tool of private gain and anti-democratic reaction. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
theatlantic.com
MAGA Is Making the World Safe for Corruption
Far-right ideologues have transformed American foreign policy into a tool of private gain and antidemocratic reaction.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Someone clearly made this just for #academics. #theEndIsInSight
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Albo’s grinning selfie with Trump is disgraceful. I would never expect our PM to do this with a dictator, & I’m sure he wouldn’t do this with Putin or Kim Jong Un. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
Prime minister defends social media reforms amid US backlash
Anthony Albanese has pushed back against the Trump administration's "censorship" criticism of Australia's draft digital duty of care laws, as the US president rejects a push from Australia and others ...
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Beautifully (& depressingly) framed by Michael de Adder in the Globe and Mail
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Well, this comes as a suprise to absolutely noone. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/u...
nytimes.com
Clavicular, ‘Looksmaxxing’ Influencer, Charged With Raping a 17-Year-Old (Gift Article)
The influencer, whose real name is Braden Peters, is accused of giving the girl alcohol and having sex with her when she was unable to give consent. One of his lawyers said he was innocent.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
DT regime apparently set to ramp up #ICC targeted sanctions in attempt to cripple the Court’s functionality. The kowtowing to a genocidal regime is shameful . www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/...
aljazeera.com
Trump administration readies sweeping sanctions against ICC, reports say
Measures targeting the court itself could disrupt payments, IT services and investigations.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
3 women murdered this weekend in NSW. 2 definitely DV. #endVAW www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
Three women killed in DV-related incidents in NSW in 24 hours
Three women have died in separate domestic violence-related incidents across New South Wales within 24 hours.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Looking fwd to this Ben Harper, Jack Johnson & John Butler line-up at Kings Park in Nov! Feels like the perfect trio of artists. I’ve seen Harper or Johnson live, so will be a nice first. #music www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
The reason Jack Johnson always feels at home in Australia
In 2001, Ben Harper did Jack Johnson a big favour in Australia. Twenty-five years later, the two singers retain a special connection.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Whoever made this 👏👏
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Highest ranking #Syrian official to be tried to date convicted of #torture & sentenced to 60yrs in prison by a US court. Satisfying #justice for the victims. #intLaw #humanRights
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
All the 'forever chemicals' in our water. Yippee. #humanRights #environment www.jurist.org/news/2026/09...
jurist.org
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The occupation creates 'serious barriers to justice: legal fragmentation, failures to investigate crimes against Palestinians, & the pervasive threat of sexual violence all contribute to render prevention and accountability unrealistic while the occupation continues.' www.jurist.org/commentary/2...
jurist.org
Why Sexual Violence Against Palestinians So Rarely Leads to Justice
Allegations of sexual violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) keep making international headlines: a UN mission’s finding of reasonable grounds to believe rape occurred during....
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Julie Norman on why the #UK needs to ban trade from illegal Israeli settlements. #intLaw www.chathamhouse.org/2026/09/bann...
chathamhouse.org
Banning UK trade with illegal Israeli settlements is long overdue
It would be a natural extension of current UK positions, and parliament’s cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee has recommended a formal ban for over a year.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
New #book 🚨: edited collection of pieces focused on the concentration camps of the #Armenian #Genocide. This is a massive contribution to a significant hole in literature on the AG (Khatchig Mouradian's book an exception). This will become an essential resource. www.bloomsbury.com/us/concentra...
bloomsbury.com
The Concentration Camps of the Armenian Genocide
While scholarship on the Armenian Genocide has expanded significantly in recent years, the history of the concentration camps in present-day Syria, where Ottoma…
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
New research has determined that the pre-colonial Indigenous pop'n in #AUS was far more than previously thought. 2.22M. Over 90% of whom died (by disease & violence) in the 70 years after the invasion (1788). Cannot be denied that this was a genocidal process. theconversation.com/more-than-2-...
theconversation.com
More than 2 million Indigenous people lived in Australia in 1788: new research
Genetic, archaeological and environmental evidence suggest the Indigenous population fell by more than 90% in the 70 years after the British invaded.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Don't let the govt or the tech bros fool you into thinking #data centres will put money into the #AUS economy. There'll be a 'sugar hit' during construction, after which the profits will go overseas. Not a long-term investment putting $ into Australian pockets. www.uwa.edu.au/news/article...
uwa.edu.au
Data centres in Australia your questions answered
Community opposition to large-scale data centres is growing. Critics are calling for a pause on data centre development, in line with other jurisdictions such as New York, but Prime Minister Anthony A...
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🎉🤘🎉🤘woot woot! Guess who has two thumbs and is going to see #Radiohead live next year! & has excellent seats!! This gal!! 😀😀
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
2026 brings us another loss of a creative genius. RIP Bob Mackie, whose dresses were simply iconic. This is one of my faves, & of course on Cher, who embodied the Mackie flair. www.theguardian.com/fashion/cost...
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Reposted by Prof Melanie O'Brien
Pierre Purseigle @purseigle.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
University is not the “scam” @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social Graduates are victims of a policy designed to have them bear the cost of higher education, while businesses, rentiers, and society as a whole enjoy the value of the education we provided them. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Why has university become such a scam? | Zoe Williams
Graduates are leaving with an average debt of £53,000 – while entry-level jobs plummet. It’s time for politicians to stop burying their heads in the sand, writes Zoe Williams
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
This is very, very helpful. It provides categories of one-sided conversationalists. I know too many of these, & honestly often feel like people don't actually care about me or what I might be going through. Just waiting for their chance to talk about themselves... www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
theguardian.com
‘But enough about you …’ How to survive in a world of monologuists, interrupters and trauma dumpers
Conversations are supposed to be two-sided – but all too often we come up against someone who’s passionately, exclusively in love with the sound of their own voice. Time to fight back …
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
One #IDF officer interviewed explained: “You understand that the objective is to destroy.” 'in many cases, the target turned out not to have been present at all. The killing itself was the point.'
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
1st of the blog posts @drnajimagi.bsky.social on the #Nicaragua v #Germany preliminary objections arguments at the #ICJ last wk. I have to say that I had a good laugh at Germany's discussion of the yahoo email address. #IntLaw verfassungsblog.de/schrodingers...
verfassungsblog.de
Schrödinger’s Breach
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Useful piece about why 'AI' data centres are having & will have huge environmental impact: 'the proposed 1.2 GW Mamre Road Data Centre in Sydney would cover an area equivalent to the size of 52 rugby fields... would become #AUS largest single electricity user.' theconversation.com/data-centres...
theconversation.com
Data centres have existed for decades. So why are they so controversial now?
Data centres were once treated as invisible pieces of digital infrastructure. Now, they’re the focus of intense political debate.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
#HRW has urged #Germany to confront #UAE about its provision of weapons & military support to the RSF in #Sudan, which are used in #genocide. This while Germany is in the ICJ for provision of weapons & military support to #Israel, which are used in genocide. #Irony www.jurist.org/news/2026/09...
jurist.org
HRW urges Germany to confront UAE over role in Sudan atrocities and domestic repression
Human Rights Watch on Monday called on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to publicly challenge the United Arab Emirates’ human rights record and its role in fuelin...
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Tom Shacklock & I wrote a piece for @opiniojuris.bsky.social on the conflict in #DRC & the new #ICJ case against #Rwanda, which I argue has a decent chance of success. Case mixes crimes & #HumanRights violations, under #Genocide Convention, CEDAW, ICERD & CAT. #intLaw opiniojuris.org/2026/09/07/a...
opiniojuris.org
A New Genocide Convention Case in the ICJ: DRC v Rwanda Version 3.0
[Melanie O’Brien is Professor of International Law and Deputy Head of School (Research) at the University of Western Australia Law School, and visiting scholar with the University of Minnesota Law …
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
A roundup of some of the absolute SHITE going on with the DT regime at the moment. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The US attorney general is fretting about a ‘pandemic’ of gender transitions in schools | Arwa Mahdawi
Todd Blanche’s remarks are part of a totally-not-invented moral panic that stretches the limits of the imagination
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
No surprise here: #Israel wants US support to cleanse #Gaza of #Palestinians. Destruction & removal of Palestinians was obviously the plan all along. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Israel ‘seeking Trump’s support for plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza’
Defence minister says he believes US backing could tip regional balance in favour of forced resettlement
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Just kept saying ‘oh my god’ as I read the, with a resounding WTAF?!! at the end. The cult of authoritarianism is now so deep in the US 😩 www.thestar.com/news/world/w...
thestar.com
White House website debuts 5 retro arcade video games that promote Trump’s agenda
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House website on Thursday unveiled Arcade, a collection of five low-resolution video games that promote different aspects of President Donald Trump's agenda.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Vale to a #feminist icon who made extraordinary contributions to changing #women’s rights & lives. Ms Magazine was a game changer. & is still an important feminist publication. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
Iconoclast feminist Gloria Steinem dies aged 92
With her trademark streaked hair parted down the middle and large aviator glasses, Gloria Steinem, a co-founder of Ms. Magazine, was a hugely recognisable presence wherever she went.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I keep a list of Routledge books for when I do proposal reviews, so I know what I want & what I already have. I notice that for previous reviews, it was GBP400 worth of #books, then GBP300, now it's GBP150. But of course the work required to do book proposal review is the same! #academia
static.klipy.com
Cat Gives Suspicious Side Eye with 'HMMM...' Reaction
ALT: Cat Gives Suspicious Side Eye with 'HMMM...' Reaction
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Morning mood. open.spotify.com/album/0bQglE...
open.spotify.com
Siamese Dream (Deluxe Edition) - Album by The Smashing Pumpkins | Spotify
The Smashing Pumpkins · album · 1993 · 31 songs
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Ryan Enos @ryanenos.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Shame on the Yale administration. Campus leaders attacking free speech are on the wrong side of history.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Curtin Annual #HumanRights lecture by Craig Foster was a well assembled list of rights abuses in #AUS & globally. Good summary for the public. But putting it together makes me want to change jobs; it’s so depressing these days 😢
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I am totally here for the UWA grounds staff sass today 🤣
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Solidarity with #USyd today. Down with AI, the unethical, expoitative, IP stealing, environment destroying platforms owned by techno-fascists intent on destroying #democracy!!! @nteunion.bsky.social www.news.com.au/finance/work...
news.com.au
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Lawyers Josh Bornstein on the mistakes of the #antisemitism royal commission. #ausLaw www.abc.net.au/religion/jos...
abc.net.au
The antisemitism royal commission made two big mistakes — will these compromise their findings? - ABC Religion & Ethics
Australian society has been riven by a combustible debate about antisemitism, criticism of Israel and the boundaries of free speech. The royal commission could have provided the intellectual and moral...
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
New podcast alert! #Feminist Acts: 'Every episode takes a different area of Australian law and rewrites it to improve the lives of women, trans and non-binary people.' So a bit like feminist judgments, but oral & for legislation. #ausLaw feministacts.transistor.fm/subscribe
feministacts.transistor.fm
Feminist Acts | Subscribe
A how-to guide for MPs and policymakers to change the law to improve women’s lives.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
#ECtHR has ordered #Turkey to release Osman Kavala, but whether they will remains to be seen, as they have ignored previous rulings about Kavala, a political prisoner. #humanRights www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
European Court of Human Rights orders Turkey to free Osman Kavala
Philanthropist and activist Osman Kavala has spent almost a decade in jail over charges rights groups say are politically motivated.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Wearing my #purple for #wearItPurple day! 💜💜💜
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Holly Cullen @hollycullenfreo.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
We know that Trump is challenging international law, and in particular international criminal law. That matters especially in the context of his 'war of choice' in Iran. @drmelob.bsky.social has the lowdown.
theconversation.com
Six months into the US-Iran war, will there be any accountability for potential war crimes?
This is a crucial moment for international law in the face of concerted efforts by the Trump administration to undermine and discredit it.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
No loss to the world & his victims that Ratko Mladić has died in prison in Scheveningen. #Jusice that he lived the rest of his life in prison, held accountable for #genocide, #warCrimes & CaH. Here's my piece written after his conviction w/life sentence. #intLaw theconversation.com/ratko-mladic...
theconversation.com
Ratko Mladic, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’, to spend life in prison for genocide and war crimes
Former commander of the Bosnian Serb army Ratko Mladic has been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Survivors of the atrocities have today welcomed the long-awaited news.
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Aaand here we have a stereotypically gendered framing of this story. The body disposal ‘butchering’, & the killer was ‘a mother’. & the fact she had been a longtime victim of DV is a secondary point. She was actually at the time of the killing being physically attacked by her husband.
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Emily M. Bender @emilymbender.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): techcrunch.com/2026/05/19/g... A short thread 🧵>>
techcrunch.com
Google Search as you know it is over | TechCrunch
Google is transforming Search from a list of links into an AI-powered experience filled with conversational answers, autonomous agents, and interactive interfaces — a shift that could further reduce t...
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Reposted by Prof Melanie O'Brien
Pieter T. L. Beck @ptrbck.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
We have written a statement in support of Ghent Uni's decision to suspend Nathan Cofnas. We resist attempts to frame this as a punishment for "whistleblowing" or censorship of "controversial research". We invite all academics who share our views to sign our letter. forms.gle/qwN8xzEM5C7Q...
forms.gle
Open letter on the suspension of Nathan Cofnas at Ghent University
We, colleagues of Nathan Cofnas - supported by many colleagues internationally - want to respond to the negative and incorrect framing of Ghent University’s decision to suspend Nathan Cofnas. With th...
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Prof Melanie O'Brien @drmelob.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Let's go, #Canada, we're with you! theconversation.com/mark-carneys...
theconversation.com
Mark Carney’s defiance: Canada shows the world how to respond to Donald Trump’s threats
Canada cannot match the U.S. economically, but it can make Donald Trump’s trade war politically costly as the U.S. heads toward midterm elections.
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