Jeffrey Simpson on Canada & the Middle East...
You have fallen victim to the false assumption that Canada had much of a reputation for anything in the Middle East. We are bit players there and, since the removal of Canadian blue hats from the area, even more itsy-bitsy than before. It is a regrettable conceit of Canadians that (a) they are influential everywhere, and (b) are so highly regarded everywhere that the world is waiting for us to act or pronounce ourselves. Both assumptions are often false, especially in the Middle East.
How the Liberals see Stephen Harper...
They respect him as an adversary, as well they should. And they do see a backbone and a decisiveness that contrasts with their former leader.
