Canada's Untold Role in Modern Conflicts | Fair Observer

For almost 3 years, Houthi forces in the Middle East have targeted the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, forcing global shipping to reroute and increasing costs. What is the new proposed solution?  In this episode, Journalist, Academic and Author Martin Plaut joins Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-In-Chief Atul Singh to explore the Djibouti Option: using Djibouti as the ground to counter Houthi’s attacks.  The conversation explores the logistics, the diplomacy involved, the global impact, what impact it will have on the Houthi forces, policy, and more. As they uncover this option, they unveil the broader meaning of the Djibouti Option for the world.  The Djibouti Option: How Global Navies Can Break the Houthi Blockade   #RedSeaCrisis #BabElMandeb #Djibouti #DjiboutiOption #Houthis #Yemen #Geopolitics #CurrentEvents #Debate #Podcast #ForeignPolicy #NavalStrategy #MaritimeSecurity #GlobalNavies #Military #Defense #Trade #SupplyChain #Macroeconomics

Join Fair Observer’s Editor-at-Large, Ranjani Iyer Mohanty, as she discusses Canada’s role on the global stage with former Canadian Diplomat David McKinnon.  Recently, President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would consider making Canada an associate member of the EU. While Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, agreed to developing the relationship between the EU and Canada, both parties agreed that a framework still needs to be built. There’s genuine objectives on both sides, McKinnon says, but the relationship is not yet defined. Mohanty and McKinnon explore what a Canada–EU partnership might look like beyond the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) already in place. A deep Canada–EU partnership would be for increased economic and political security. Perhaps most importantly, it would send a message that the EU and Canada are mitigating their overreliance on the US. McKinnon states that before Canada and the EU further develop this partnership, Canada should consider their wider global interests. A relationship with the EU should be rooted in reality so that Canada may still retain its sovereignty. In addition, McKinnon says, Canada should be looking for other global relationships beyond the EU. Enjoy the conversation? Like, share, subscribe and join Fair Observer’s community!  #CETA #Canada #EU #UrsulaVonDerLeyen #Diplomacy #CanadaEconomy #CanadaEU

What does it actually mean to view a conflict through the lens of settler-colonialism? Join Editor at Large at Fair Observer, Ranjani Iyer Mohanty, as she speaks with Dr. Muhannad Ayyash, Professor of Sociology at Mount Royal University, to break down the mechanics of colonial power and state violence.  The conversation discusses the Israel-Palestine conflict through the lens of settler-colonialism, and takes a deep dive into how Canadians view this conflict, the Iran war and many other issues. They also look at the international implications of everything, and more.  Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss, and become a part of the Fair Observer community!

President Donald Trump is no stranger to suspicious activity in relation to his money. This issue is older than his presidency. Even back in his days as a businessman and TV personality, many such allegations came his way. As we reach the halfway point of Trump’s second term, some questions arise. How does he keep getting away with this? What’s the motive? Does a darker danger lie ahead? Fair Observer editor Casey Hermann joins the director of Foreign Policy in Focus, John Feffer, to take a deep dive into the roots of these pressing questions. The conversation explores Trump’s suspicious financial gains during his presidency, the business practices of the Trump family, the consequences of Trump’s actions, global reactions and more.  Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss, and become a part of the Fair Observer community!

2026 has been an eventful year for India. Exam leaks, economic pressures, floods, political tensions, and more. Through the thick of it all, Gen Z folks in India have begun the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical parody of the right-wing ruling Bharatiya Janta Party. The movement is rapidly growing, gaining millions of followers within a matter of a couple of weeks. As the movement continues today, some questions begin to arise. How did this begin? What is the end goal of the movement? What can India and its government take away from this movement?   Fair Observer’s Editor-at-Large Ranjani Iyer Mohanty joins her husband and Global Social-Impact Leader & Former McKinsey Principal Barun Mohanty to take a deep dive at these loaded questions. The conversation covers the exam leaks, India’s education system, Gen Z India, how the movement came to be, and more.   Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss, and become a part of the Fair Observer community!

The pandemic killed the world of hiking, one of the world’s most beloved outdoor activities. In the years that followed, hiking came back even stronger than ever before. Despite its being around for hundreds of years, hiking still has been ever-evolving. How has hiking survived all this time? What do we enjoy about the wilderness? How are changing landscapes affecting our hiking? What challenges do we face hiking in unfamiliar territory, and what impact does our hiking have on the generations after us? Hiker Christine Gabriel joins Fair Observer’s Editor-at-Large Ranjani Iyer Mohanty to take a deep dive into these thought-provoking matters. The conversation offers a guide to hiking on trails in areas all across the world (such as Canada, Portugal, Spain, New Zealand and Turkey), the trails near one’s own home, hiking after COVID, how to start hiking, why hiking is so beloved and more!  As they discuss their journeys, they reminisce and discover the joys and impact that hiking makes on so many lives. Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss and become a part of the Fair Observer community!

Digital nationalism has been one of China’s most defining focuses in the last decade, influencing much of the globe. And yet, world discussions about China often ignore much of what’s going on behind the curtains. What is digital nationalism, and what can it tell us about modern day China and its future?  Author and Modern China Studies professor of Leiden University Florian Schneider joins Eminent Geopolitical Analyst Haruko Satoh to explore these subjects. The conversation examines the role online spaces play in the shaping of national identity, recent visa policy and more. As they discover China’s evolving role in the world and how digital nationalism plays into its evolution as a global powerhouse, a question arises: if China is neither the country its critics nor its supporters describe, what does the real China look like?

Narco-terrorism sits at the intersection of organised crime and political violence — but its implications extend far beyond either domain. In this FO Podcasts episode Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh speaks to former counterterrorism operative Jeffrey James Higgins examines how illicit drug networks have evolved into sophisticated actors capable of funding insurgencies, destabilising states and undermining institutions. From the Taliban’s historic reliance on opium to the rise of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, the relationship between narcotics and conflict has become increasingly entrenched. The discussion explores how cartels in Latin America are acquiring paramilitary capabilities, how transnational gangs like MS-13 operate across borders and how drug economies erode state authority over time. It also considers the broader policy debate: should narcotics be treated primarily as a public health issue or as a national security threat? As criminal networks grow in scale and influence, the boundary between crime and warfare is becoming harder to define.

Why do Americans support strict border control—but oppose mass deportations? In this podcast, Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh speaks to Kent Jenkins on the “immigration paradox” shaping US politics today. While Donald Trump’s policies successfully reduced illegal border crossings, they also triggered widespread backlash when enforcement moved into American cities. This conversation examines the psychological and political divide at the heart of the issue: people fear immigration as an abstract problem, yet empathize deeply with individual immigrants in their communities. Through real-life cases, historical research, and political analysis, this discussion reveals why public opinion shifted so dramatically. From border security to deportation policies, and from public outrage to political strategy, this episode unpacks one of the most complex debates in modern America.   00:00 Immigration Paradox 05:30 Trump’s ICE Deployment 11:00 Open Borders 19:00 Racism and Anti-Migrant Sentiments 28:00 Democrats vs Republicans

What is the Muslim Brotherhood and how did it shape modern Islamist movements? In this episode of the Fair Observer podcast, Egyptian author and political activist Cynthia Farahat joins us to explore the origins, ideology and evolution of the Muslim Brotherhood. Founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt, the organization grew into one of the most influential Islamist movements in the world. We discuss the historical context of its creation, the influence of thinkers like Sayyid Qutb and Syed Abul A'la Maududi, and how the movement expanded across the Middle East and beyond. The conversation also examines the Brotherhood’s political strategies, its role during the Arab uprisings and the presidency of Mohamed Morsi, and the broader debate about political Islam. This discussion provides historical context and analysis of a movement that has influenced politics, security debates and ideological conflicts across the Middle East for nearly a century. Watch the full conversation and join the discussion.   00:00 What is the Muslim Brotherhood? 07:00 The Concept of Jihad 12:30 Dawah vs Dawla 19:00 Evolution of the Muslim Brotherhood 31:30 London vs Istanbul 40:30 Today’s Muslim Brotherhood 44:00 A Peaceful Muslim Brotherhood?