US is privately trying to mitigate the Saudi Canadian spat. I'm betting this making an example of Canada has more to do with a worldwide authoritarian push to push back against liberal countries human rights and anti-corruption agenda. Canadian Foreign Minister and refugee to Canada, Ahmed Hussen, gave a well received anti-corruption speech in Pakistan last week. He spoke of public service as sacred. He is a rockstar in some parts of the world. He is an example how how a far a smart hard working guy can go in a country with very little corruption like Canada. I bet you the Putin's and Saudis of the world are ready to make examples of others who threaten their power with liberal values. I doubt this is an isolated series of incidents. One thing for sure, Trump stepping America back from leadership on the world stage is heartbreaking and likely the most devastating policy amongst many. It used to be that trade was thought of to stop wars between countries and was, in an extra way, a force of good. Now the authoritarians are using it to amass more power at home. And life will not be good for the little people in these regimes as little to none of the benefits of trade will go to them.
"SNIP.....
https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/...anada-tensions-rise?__twitter_impression=true
The U.K. under Theresa May has been consumed by the task of completing the terms for Brexit and is loath to irritate the Saudis given the billions at stake in defense contracts and the potential for lucrative trade deals. May openly pitched London as a listing destination for Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s oil company, and gave Prince Mohammed a warm welcome in March during a high-profile visit that drew protests.
At Trump’s urging, Saudi Arabia has boosted oil production in recent months, limiting the impact on consumers of the president’s decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran. Trump criticized OPEC on Twitter after the London crude price hit a three-year high of more than $80 a barrel in May. The commodity has since retreated to around $72 a barrel.
Saudi Arabia is also seen as the linchpin to the president’s proposal to create a new security alliance in the Middle East -- a so-called Arab NATO -- intended to limit Iranian influence in the region.
Regardless of motivation, the relative U.S. silence on the issue has been noticed in Ottawa. The American response is “a glimpse of what the world looks like without the U.S. advocating for human rights,” Roland Paris, a University of Ottawa professor and former Trudeau foreign policy adviser, said in an interview.
“Right now there is very little solidarity," he added.
.....SNIP"
Of course no elected official can be seen to be anti anti-corruption (they can't be seen as advocating for corruption). That would be the kiss of death in Pakistan or russia. So they can't push back on that publicly. But human rights seems easy to push back on. At least in this case. Corruption will be protected and never mentioned by name by those that do it.
