Category: Diplomacy

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# Morning Briefing — Sunday, 8 March 2026

Colin Henderson

America/Toronto time | ~1,200 words 1. What Changed Iran War Day 9: Oil infrastructure now targeted, escalation intensifies US and Israeli strikes hit Tehran oil storage depots and refining facilities for the first time overnight — the first deliberate strikes on civil industrial infrastructure in the conflict. Iran retaliated with fresh missile salvos toward Israel and Gulf states. Trump has signalled a further escalation wave this weekend and says the war ends only when Iran’s leadership “cry uncle.” ⚠️ Civilisational inflection point flag: Day 9 confirms this is no longer a limited strike campaign — it is an active war … Continue reading # Morning Briefing — Sunday, 8 March 2026

banking, Canada, Diplomacy, Innovation, Military, NATO

Canada in the running to headquarter new multinational defence bank

Colin Henderson

Canada in the running to headquarter new multinational defence bank PIPPA NORMANPublished November 13 2025, 4:15AM Banks like this don’t come around too often. Most recently, the New Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Bank were established in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Similar institutions such as the World Bank Group are set up to mobilize capital to address issues affecting multiple countries. In the case of the DSRB, that issue is an increasingly divided world in which countries all over the world are increasing their defence spending.A handful of institutions, including Royal Bank of Canada, JPMorgan Chase & Co., ING Group … Continue reading Canada in the running to headquarter new multinational defence bank

Diplomacy

Trump Picks John Ratcliffe, His Former Intelligence Director, for C.I.A. Chief

Colin Henderson

Mr. Ratcliffe, who was also a Texas congressman, fought fiercely for Donald Trump during his first term. By Michael D. Shear and Julian E. Barnes Reporting from Washington President-elect Donald J. Trump announced on Tuesday that his nominee to lead the C.I.A. would be John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as the director of national intelligence during Mr. Trump’s first term. Mr. Trump called Mr. Ratcliffe a “warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public” on his social media account. As the national intelligence director, Mr. Ratcliffe served as the president’s chief adviser on intelligence issues. As a congressman, Mr. … Continue reading Trump Picks John Ratcliffe, His Former Intelligence Director, for C.I.A. Chief