Wednesday Night #2264

A poignant anniversary
C. Uday Bhaskar reviews the history and the growing threats to the maintenance of the nuclear taboo
Hiroshima was bombed 80 years ago today — and the nuclear taboo is once again under stress
The 80th anniversary of Hiroshima is an opportune moment for the world, both political leaders and civil society, to review the challenges to the nuclear taboo which has held since August 1945 and to evolve new norms and treaty obligations.
Breakdown in US-Russia relations, Israel’s attack on Iran and threat of military escalation have challenged the nuclear norms that have held since the Americans used atomic weapons against Japan in 1945

Middle East & Arab World/Lebanon
Monday (4 August) was the fifth anniversary of the horrendous Beirut Port explosion -in which our dear friend Joumane was gravely injured. We are so grateful that she has fully recovered. It is disappointing -though not surprising- that the investigation into who is at fault for the blast has been delayed, and at times derailed, by political interference. This year, however, Beirut Port blast victims say five years later, justice feels a bit closer

Trump’s Tariffs continue to accelerate the alienation of countries which have previously been among the staunchest allies of the U.S.
We naturally are focused on the Canada-U.S. relationship, however India’s turn towards China is one of this week’s most important developments.

As events in China, Gaza, Ukraine and the US compete for our attention, Poland faces years of political deadlock under new president. Karol Nawrocki is being sworn in Wednesday for a five-year term as Poland’s president, but it’s not going to be a happy day for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. June’s narrow electoral victory by Nawrocki — a nationalist openly allied with U.S. President Donald Trump — delivered a massive body blow to the political prospects of the ruling coalition led by pro-EU centrist Tusk.

America Has Been Going Backwards Since The Reagan Era – Sec. Robert Reich (YouTube)
The Late Show with Steven Colbert
Fmr. Sec. Robert Reich comments on the societal factors that may have opened a path to the presidency for Donald Trump, and argues that America veered off the path of progress in the 1980s.
Stephen Colbert and I — 15 years ago and [Monday] night
In 2010, I made a prediction on “The Colbert Report.” [Monday] night Colbert and I will meet again, on “The Late Show,” to discuss my new book, “Coming Up Short,” and perhaps that prediction, too.

Israel/Gaza/West Bank
Trump and Netanyahu are competing to see who can outdo the other in creating and announcing obscene policies
Bibi seems to be winning as he considers ordering the full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media, a move that would draw fierce opposition internationally and within Israel.
It would mark a stunning escalation of the nearly 22-month war in the territory that has already been largely destroyed, would put the lives of countless Palestinians and about 20 living hostages at risk, and deepen Israel’s already stark international isolation.
DJT, ever the staunch ally, said any decision over expanded Israeli control in Gaza was up to Israel. “As far as the rest of it, I really can’t say. That’s going to be pretty much up to Israel”. Trump is far too busy preparing for a possible meeting with Putin in an effort to play peacemaker.
RFK Jr has picked up the slack in awfulness with his announcement of cancellation of $500M US in funding for vaccine development, targeting mRNA

Recognition of the Palestinian State
Akaash Maharaj writes
“Amidst much bitter debate, critical questions remain to be answered.
Does the Palestinian Authority have any capacity to meet Carney’s conditions, before the UN General Assembly convenes this autumn? What will Carney do if it is unable or unwilling to comply?
Will the Netanyahu government try to forestall additional countries recognising Palestine, by allowing more water, medicine, and food to reach Gaza’s civilians, or will it instead tighten its grip on the region in defiance?
(Click the link at my Threads post to see the interview, via https://via.maharaj.org/1chch
The Promise of Palestinian Statehood Is Ringing Hollow  (See Long reads)
After almost two years of severe access restrictions and the dismantling of the U.N.-led aid system in favor of a militarized food distribution that has left more than 1,300 Palestinians dead, the 15 nations that agreed to the declaration still would not collectively say “Israel is responsible for starvation in Gaza.” If they cannot name the problem, they can hardly hope to resolve it.

Canada matters
Prime Minister Carney continues to keep his cards close to his chest, insisting on Tuesday that he will speak with US President Donald Trump “when it makes sense”.
He may well be considering the recommendations of Fen Osler Hampson Tariff Rate Quotas: A New Strategy for Canada-US Trade Talks, though The Donald might not understand.
He has met with his cabinet and the premiers to talk through tariff strategy. He has also dispatched Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anandto see what may be learned from Mexico’s so-far avoidance of the Trump Tariff menace. Champagne, Anand in Mexico to strengthen Canada’s trade ties – Finance minister says meetings with Mexico officials will look at trade ‘diversification’
Finally, as suggested by Politico Ottawa shakeup watch, he may well be considering a late-summer shakeup in Ottawa senior ranks and a round of diplomatic appointments.

Bishop’s Forum (8-13 August)
The young English-speaking Quebecers attending this annual interactive civic leadership institute are in for a great experience
Céline Cooper has assembled an impressive list of speakers (including Daniel Beland, Russell Copeman, Eva Ludvig, Désirée McGraw, Andrew Molson, Anita Nowak, Andy Nulman, Joe Ortona, and surprise (!) Kyle Matthews).

John Evdokias recommends Richard Wolff Canada Just HIT BACK—Carney HUMILIATES Trump After Deadline Clash – Canada didn’t just retaliate. It rewrote the rules of global trade. A note states that “This video was created using AI-generated content for informational and educational purposes only. While the information presented is based on credible sources and real events, the format and delivery are digitally produced. … Sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated” Perhaps that is why we find the delivery exceptionally annoying, far too loud and with awkward separation of words within phrases. What good is content if it’s hidden inside poor delivery?

Typical US/Trump crude and inept foreign policy:
Earth’s Wetlands Are Disappearing and Global Efforts to Save Them Are Unraveling
Representatives of more than 170 countries gathered in Zimbabwe last week for the Convention on Wetlands…. The U.S. delegation was a no-show until the final days of the summit, when one American representative came to demand that conference documents include no mention of climate change, DEI, gender, the U.N.’s sustainable development goals, or “zero growth.”
Because the United States did not participate in the normal convention process, its suggestions could not be integrated into official documents. (HA!)

McGill Community for Lifelong Learning
Chris Neal reminds us that as of 5 August Registration for the Fall Term is on! Choose from 47 study groups available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats.
Fall Term is September 8 – November 20, 2025
How to Register – Study Groups
View the full program offering here: https://www.mcgill.ca/mcll/study-groups
We are especially intrigued by Napoleon, Nelson, Wellington: Lives, Loves, Politics, Battles moderated by Peter Blaikie on Wednesday afternoons.

Varia
Friends visiting Lac Brome and need a place to stay?
Jennifer Rowntree, who many will remember from the days she lived in the coach house apartment at 33, and/or her wonderful antiques store(s), writes “Les Trois Anges, Sutton is up and running. I have a Facebook page. Took a while due to bureaucratic red tape but we are getting lots of bookings from Louise Penny fans after Louise gave us a plug in her June newsletter.” Une antiquaire ressuscite deux églises

Byron‘s Substack The Upside of Dissonance: The USA is becoming an Extortion State
Under Trump’s “Art of the Deal” approach, bullying and threats replace diplomacy and negotiation

Michigan Governor Confronts Trump on Tariff Hit to Auto Industry
Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer told President Donald Trump that his tariffs are having a negative effect on her state’s flagship auto industry during a closed-door meeting at the White House.

Since wolves’ return, Yellowstone’s aspens are recovering, study finds
The researchers found a 152-fold increase in sapling and young-tree density.
In previous years, the elk had kept young aspen to 1 meter (3.28 feet) or less in height, preventing the trees from growing to their natural height of up to 40 feet.
Now that wolves are back and bears and cougars prey on elk in the park, the researchers write, elk numbers are down and aspen stands are growing new trees again, with young trees more than 5 centimeters’ diameter at breast height found for the first time in more than 80 years.

At Louise Penny’s Café Three Pines, a sense of community is brewing
By Susan Schwartz
“It feels like the whole community has come together to help,” author Louise Penny says, describing the local support for her new café, which opened in June in Knowlton. “It’s mutual: It’s that we are always there for each other.” If you know the work of award-winning author Louise Penny, then you know Three Pines. You know Myrna’s bookstore and Sarah’s boulangerie and Gabri and Olivier’s inviting bistro, with its two facing fieldstone fireplaces. You know Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec, his wife, Reine-Marie, and the cast of characters including the artist Clara, Ruth the foul-mouthed poet and her pet duck, Rosa.
Ruth Shine has been there: “Delightful place..went there and enjoyed the atmosphere plus the edible delicacies”

Excellent suggestions and some new to us that sound like great summer reading, distraction from Trump, tariffs, Epstein, and the new White House ballroom (groan!)
What are the best adventure novels? Let’s add a hidden gem to the list.
“The Rose of Tibet” by Lionel Davidson is an unsung classic of the genre. It’s up there with “Treasure Island,” “The Scarlet Pimpernel” and “The Princess Bride.”
What are the greatest adventure novels ever written? By “adventure” I don’t mean “exciting” — … stories that emphasize action, danger and heroism.

Long reads/videos
A Terrible Five Days for the Truth
Trump’s latest moves represent an assault on reporting, statistics, and the historical record.
By David A. Graham

Charest talks Trump: ‘This is a wake-up call for Canada’ (video)
(The Corner Booth) Jean Charest has worn many hats in his political career, from Quebec premier to leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party. These days as a member of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s council on Canada-U.S. relations, Charest is focused on American President Donald Trump. Made up of leaders in business, innovation and policy, the council is tasked with advising the prime minister and his cabinet during this sensitive time in international relations.

The challenge in expanding aid to Gaza
What needs to happen is a massive scale up of humanitarian access and humanitarian delivery across every part of Gaza. One of the core principles of humanitarian response is you want to bring the aid as close to where the people are as possible. You don’t make the people traverse a combat zone in order to get to an aid distribution site. You bring the aid to where they are. That’s very possible. Gaza is not a big place.

The Promise of Palestinian Statehood Is Ringing Hollow
The language of reform and even of resolution rings increasingly hollow today. The declaration promises “irreversible steps” toward statehood, but for those who are starving today, the only irreversible step is death. Until statehood recognition brings action — arms embargoes, sanctions, enforcement of international law — it will remain a largely empty promise that serves primarily to distract from Western complicity in Gaza’s destruction.

What Trump’s Fight With Harvard Is Really About (video)
The Trump administration is escalating its fight with Harvard, pulling multiple levers to pressure America’s oldest and richest university to comply with its demands. Harvard has been fighting back in court on all fronts. But how long can it resist pressure from Trump?