Confronting China, together
Canada and its allies must work together to protect the Uyghurs from annihilation.
Kyle Matthews / @kylecmatthews
Executive director, Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies
Kyle Matthews is the executive director of the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies at Concordia University. At Concordia, he founded the Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights Forum, as well as the Digital Mass Atrocity Prevention Lab, which works to counter online extremism and study how social media platforms are being used as a weapon of war. His work focuses on human rights, international security, democracy promotion, and social media and emerging technologies. He is a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and a member of the BMW Foundation's Responsible Leaders Network.
Most Recent Posts
Why Canada must confront the rise of digital authoritarianism
Digital technological advances can facilitate repression. Canada has a duty to ensure they don’t.
Five takeaways from the Paris Peace Forum
World leaders met in Paris
this week to discuss the barriers to peace — here are five points many agreed
on, from the lack of US leadership to the need for a way forward.
A call to protect the Baha’i minority in Yemen
At
the UN this week, Justin Trudeau said Canada will stand up for minorities
around the world. As Yemen’s sham trials against Baha’is intensify, an
international group calls for action.
US air strikes: A blip or start of a new phase of Syrian war?
In the wake of last weekend’s military action in Syria, Kyle Matthews warns that without prudent next steps, a more dangerous war pitting the US and its allies against Russia and Iran may be ahead.
The increasing incompatibility of the Turkish-Western alliance
Even before the attempted coup against
the Erdogan government in July, Turkey’s policies towards Syria, ISIS and its
own citizens have been putting it at odds with its Western allies. Is an end to
this alliance inevitable?
Can we link the Istanbul attack to blowback?
More than 40 people were killed Tuesday
following an attack at Turkey’s main airport. While the Turkish government blames
ISIS, are its own policies contributing to the making of a monster?
Is Canada ‘back’? Not quite, but here’s how it can get there
Though change is already palpable, here are seven
steps the Trudeau government can take to re-engage Canada in the world.
Canada’s ISIS mission: Are opposition leaders in denial?
The Canadian military is in this for the better, argues Kyle Matthews. Mulcair and Trudeau should get on board.
Five ways to fight ISIS online
Combating extremism requires more than military might. A digital strategy is key, but needs government, the private sector and NGOs to get onboard.
When education becomes a terrorist target
In the wake of the school attack in Peshawar, Pakistan, global cooperation is needed to protect schools and students, says Kyle Matthews.
In confronting genocide, Canada puts Raoul Wallenberg’s legacy into practice
Kyle Matthews on the lessons in leadership that history can provide us.
Digging for truth in Guatemala
Kyle Matthews and photographer Tristan Brand follow the forensic team unearthing and identifying victims of decades of civil war.
Why Canada Should Welcome Syrian Refugees
Canadians have a responsibility to stand with those who have showed strength in the face of civil war, argue Kyle Matthews and Ecem Oskay.
More than Nuclear: The Plight of Baha’is in Iran
Kyle Matthews on the treatment and persecution of minorities within Iran.
Heeding the Lessons of the Rwandan Genocide
Many countries, Canada included, abdicated their responsibility to respond to the Rwandan genocide 20 years ago. We must never let that happen again, says Kyle Matthews.
Obstacles to Independence in Quebec
If the PQ wins the Quebec election, the party will face serious international challenges to holding a referendum, argues Kyle Matthews.
Matthews: What role will sanctions by Canada, the United States, and the European Union play in the development of the political crisis in Ukraine?
The sanctions imposed by Western countries will send an important […]
Why the Central African Republic Could Be the Next Rwanda
Violence between Muslims and Christians could easily escalate to a scale not seen since 1994.
Canada’s New Religious Obsession On Display in Ukraine
The crisis in Ukraine is not about religious freedom. So why is Canada trying to portray it that way, asks Kyle Matthews.
A Foreign Aid Program for the 21st Century
Kyle Matthews on why DFATD should embrace new digital technologies.
Matthews: Should the Canadian government spy on economic targets abroad and share that intelligence with Canadian corporations?
In a perfect world I would argue no. However, in […]
Matthews: What can the West hope to achieve with a military strike on Syria?
The best scenario is that surgical strikes avoid causing any […]
Matthews: Should Western governments cut off aid to Egypt?
Nope, not yet. As we have seen after the ouster […]
Matthews: Should President Morsi Resign?
Yes, Morsi should resign given that he has brought Egypt […]
Matthews: Should Canada be calling for the overthrow of the Iranian regime?
I can’t think of any other instance when the Government […]
Matthews: Did the Senate scandal derail Prime Minister Harper’s South America trip?
I do not think that the Duffy expenses scandal derailed […]
Matthews: Who had the right response to the Boston Marathon attack, Justin Trudeau or Stephen Harper?
I refrained from participating in this rapid response question partly […]
Matthews: Which state nuclear program poses the greatest threat to global security today?
I would argue that the number one state nuclear program […]
The End of Atrocity
With no end to the conflict in Syria in sight, do the promises of “never again” after Rwanda ring hollow? Yes and no says Kyle Matthews.
Matthews: Is Islamist extremism a bigger problem now than it was before 9/11?
I would argue that it has gotten worse. Pakistan is […]
Matthews: Should Canada’s military support the intervention in Mali?
Yes. Mali and the African Union are begging for help. […]
Matthews: Should U.S. diplomats meet with Hamas leaders when conducting ‘shuttle diplomacy’ in the Middle East?
While I would like to say “no”, reality dictates the […]
Matthews: How should Canada deal with the threat posed by cyberattacks from abroad?
With the Government of Canada’s announcement that it will be […]
Matthews: Is there any consequence to Harper’s decision not to address the UN General Assembly?
It is true that not every world leader made an […]
Matthews: Is there any consequence to Harper’s decision not to address the UN General Assembly?
It is true that not every world leader made an […]
Matthews: Do separatist movements around the world have anything to learn from the PQ?
Separatist movements across the globe can learn a thing or […]
Matthews: Last week, OpenCanada posted its summer reading list. What’s on yours?
The one book on my summer reading list is Dambisa […]
Matthews: Last week, OpenCanada posted its summer reading list. What’s on yours?
The one book on my summer reading list is Dambisa […]
The Global Delusions of the Quebec Protesters
Claiming solidarity with other global struggles doesn’t always make it so.
Charles Bouchard on the Canadian Forces, NATO, and what we learned in Libya.
Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard talks to the CIC-Montreal Branch’s Kyle Matthews.
Matthews: Are the Quebec riots a manifestation of the global Occupy movement?
Partly. While the student protestors only account for 30 per […]
Matthews: Should Canada view cyberspace as a threat or opportunity?
Canada should view cyberspace as an opportunity first and as […]
Matthews: What question would you ask Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird?
When will the Government of Canada recommit to the Responsibility […]
Matthews: Which current or former international leader should be prosecuted by the ICC and why?
The Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kin Jong-Un, deserves special […]
Matthews: What is the biggest lesson Canada can take from its experience in Afghanistan?
The biggest lesson, at least in my mind, is that […]
Matthews: Who is the most innovative thinker on Canada’s place in the world today?
I have two nominations. First is Quebec Premier Jean Charest […]
Matthews: Was the first decade of the ICC a more just one?
Although the ICC has only been around for a decade, […]
Matthews: Does Canada need an independent organization to promote rights and democracy abroad?
I believe the answer is yes, especially considering how thinly […]
Matthews: Should the World Bank consider non-Americans for its next president?
I believe the time has come to consider appointing a […]
Matthews: Should Canadian corporations be permitted to do business with corrupt and repressive regimes?
In a perfect world there would be no corrupt or […]
Matthews: Will Obama be successful in convincing Netanyahu not to strike Iran?
How great would it be to be a fly on […]
Matthews: How should Canada respond to the rising violence in Syria?
With presidential elections looming in the United States and France, […]
Matthews: Can the Egyptian revolution be counted a success while the Armed Forces remain in power?
There are numerous signs emanating out of Egypt that cause […]
Matthews: Could the spread of information via digital media reduce mass atrocities?
Digital media is revolutionizing how private citizens and advocacy groups […]