Allan Rock

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Allan Rock.

Lloyd Axworthy, Allan Rock

An international norm is being questioned after Trump’s Iran strikes. As two of the officials who helped established it, we’d like to set the record straight

This past week, a New York Times columnist argued that a Canadian-led change to norms of international governance called Responsibility to Protect was now a “weak spot” that risks being exploited by today’s aggressors. The Responsibility to Protect was described by historian Martin Gilbert as “the most significant adjustment to sovereignty in 360 years.” It holds that when a government...

Lloyd Axworthy, Allan Rock

Why are Canadian arms fuelling foreign conflicts?

Canadians take pride in our country’s role as a principled voice for international law, arms control and responsible multilateralism. In 2019, when Canada acceded to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), there was strong public support for our government’s pledge that Canadian arms exports would never contribute to human-rights abuses.

Maureen Silcoff, Erin Simpson, Allan Rock

How Canada can help asylum seekers trapped in U.S. detention centres

Since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, his absurd contention that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state has drawn much attention. In reality, the core of the Canada-U.S. bilateral relationship is the orderly flow of people and goods across our shared border. And that includes people seeking asylum.

Lloyd Axworthy, Allan Rock

We’ve worked with Liberal PMs going back to Pierre Trudeau. Here’s why Chrystia Freeland should be next

When Liberals vote on March 9, they will be selecting not only their party’s leader but also the next Prime Minister of Canada. We have had the privilege of working with Liberal prime ministers going back to Pierre Trudeau and have seen first-hand the nature and number of demands made on the person who holds that office, as well as...

Lloyd Axworthy, Michael W. Manulak, Allan Rock

The Time Has Come for Canada to Hit Back

With each successive provocation, it is becoming clear that President Donald Trump’s fixation with Canada is more than a negotiating ploy. Whether or not Trump seeks to revisit 19th century thinking about America’s “manifest destiny,” his comments threaten Canadian sovereignty. His demeaning treatment of Canada and its prime minister — from his coercive threat of 25% tariffs to his mendacity...

Allan Rock

It’s time for Canada to tell Donald Trump that enough is enough

One or two things I have learned about my country: first, Canadians tend to avoid overt displays of nationalism. Quiet pride rather than loud boasting is more our style. We know we are fortunate and are calmly grateful instead of noisily assertive. We celebrate domestic successes, revere our heroes and feel wonderful when one of our own is recognized for...

Allan Rock