Ottawa man fighting for ISIS urges attacks on Canadian targets in video

John Maguire, Ottawa man fighting for ISIS, urges attacks on Canadian targets in video

No author, Posted: Dec 07, 2014

Issue Overview and Course Connections

This article outlines a video posted from a Canadian-born ISIS member. He speaks of ISIS’s plan to carry out attacks on Canadian cities and warns “infidels” of the coming sharia law. This is relevant because it affects Canada greatly not only in the sense that we are named, but also in that the ISIS member is from Canada, showing that anyone can be radicalized.

Who? John Maguire, Ottawa man fighting for ISIS
What? A video received where he threatens Canada
When? December 2014
Where? Filmed in Syria
Why? John Maguire wants a caliphate under sharia law, the main goal of ISIS

Key Stakeholders
The key stakeholders would be the Canadian government, Canadian citizens, and ISIS. Obviously Canadians will be worried that they may become the victims of an attack, but also that someone who seems completely normal and resides in an average Canadian city could be a member of a terrorist organization.

Contributing Factors
Political instability in Syria has caused radicalization among young Muslim men both at home and abroad. The propagation of terror through the news has led ISIS to using social media and other mediums to spread their messages.

Implications
This will likely show that anyone is prone to radicalization, not just Muslim men from the middle east. It may increase fear in Canada and possibly contribute to the stigma surrounding Islam.

Bias
Clearly the focus in on the fact that he is Canadian and is singling him out. However, this is fair because most ISIS members are Syrian nationals.

War For Nigeria

War for Nigeria

Source: National Geographic
Authour: James Verini
Published: November 2013

Who: The terrorist group Boko Haram.
What: The issue looked at in this article is an ethno-religious war taking place in Nigeria.
Where: Nigeria
Why:  Radical Islamic terrorists want to rule Nigeria under sharia law.  Their target is often unclear; sometimes their attacks are on simply public places and result in the deaths of people of all ethnic backgrounds
When: 2009 (inception of Boko Haram) – current

Issue Overview and Course Connections

We have looked at many international terrorist groups such as ISIS. We have also spoken about instability and how it causes extreme reactions.

Key Stakeholders

Keys stakeholders in this conflict are the Boko Haram, the government of Nigeria, the Islamic population and the all Nigerian citizens.

 Contributing Factors

Contributing factors are economic factors; in the north there is extreme desolation and poverty. Nigeria is the world’s fifth largest oil exporter but there is a large inequality in population. The government largely ignores the north which leaves them in a state of extreme poverty where a large percent of the population barely has what they need to survive. Many of the Boko Haram members are northerners who likely feel victimized. Additionally, faith motivates most of Boko Haram’s actions, though it is a perversion of Islam.

Implications

There are environmental implications arising from this conflict. Due to fear of conflict a lot of farms have been deserted. There are also political implications; such a conflict cause instability in the government and corruption, especially in the military. Obviously

Bias 

There is little bias in National Geographic. However, they only have the opinion of average Nigerians. While Boko Haram are completely unreachable, it still means they have no means of expressing their intentions or rationale.

Freedom-of-speech blogger sentenced to 1000 lashes

Source: Independent

Author: Helen Nianias
Date: January 2015

Raif Badawi profile: How the freedom-of-speech blogger sentenced to 1000 lashes put the spotlight on Saudi Arabia

Issue Overview and Course Connections
Raif Badawi is a writer from Saudi-Arabia and has a website called Free Saudi Liberals, where people can post their opinions and he shares his about freedom of speech and beliefs. “You have the right to express and think whatever you want as you have the right to declare what you think about it, it is your right to believe or think, have the right to love and to hate, from your right to be a liberal or Islamist.” is a direct quote from his website mentioned in the article. Here in North America this is a great attitude to have and spread to others, but in Saudi-Arabia it is very frowned upon, their citizens must abide to their beliefs and opinions. He also says that Arab and Islamic states need to stop building their societies based on religion as it restricts people and puts them in danger. Badawi has received 1000 lashings, 10 years in jail, and a fine of 1 million riyals (14 million $US), for the posts on the website. It is said that this punishment is so severe because of the recent Charlie Hebdo attacks, which is sparking a freedom of speech debate all over the world.

What?: A blogger has been sentenced to 1000 lashes
Who?: Raif Badawi, a political dissident
Where?: Saudi Arabia
When?: 2015
Why?: To criticize the idea that everyone must be Muslim

Key Stakeholders
The key stakeholders in this situation are Amnesty International and the hashtag Free Raif. Amnesty International helped organized the protest in Montreal and launched a campaign to help release Raif. #FreeRaif can be found on social media spreading the story and raising awareness.

Contributing Factors
Cultural factors are causing this issue, Saudi-Arabia and many other western countries believe that everyone should have the same beliefs and if people don’t then they deserve to be killed or punished. The rules are very strict and old-fashioned, and women also have very little rights and freedoms. The recent attacks on the french magazine for their Muhammad cartoons have heightened the the amount of criticism countries will stand for when it comes to freedom of speech, or as they refer to it “disrespecting” the country for not following their beliefs.

Implications
The impacts of this event has caused outbreak in different places all over the world, there was a protest today in Montreal where Badawi’s wife is stay, calling on Ottawa to help raise awareness and fight this cruel penalty. The leaders in Saudi-Arabia are hoping that this will impact people in their country and show them not to believe in anything other than the Islamic faith.

Bias
In this article the bias would be that there wasn’t a quote from the judge who decided this claiming their side of it, or anyone else who is a believer of Islam which could make you automatically try and side with Raif as there are no examples of reasoning in the article.

Trump sells Qatar $12 billion of U.S. weapons days after accusing it of funding terrorism

Trump sells Qatar $12 billion of U.S. weapons days after accusing it of funding terrorism
By: MARGARET BRENNAN, KYLIE
ATWOOD

Date: June 14 2017

Source: CBS NEWS June 14, 2017, 8:52 PM

Issue Overview and Course Connections

President Donald Trump has approved a deal for 12 billion dollars worth of arms to be sold to Qatar. The issue is that Qatar has many controversial policies and Trump has even accused them of terrorism or funding terrorism.
What?: Trump has approved a 12 billion dollar arms sale to Qatar
Who?: President Trump, Qatar government
Where?: USA and Qatar
When?: 2017
Why?: To create proft for the United States

Key Stakeholders
The key stakeholders in this situation are the US government because they had to approve it. Trump because he directly oversaw it. US citizens because they have to face the fact that they have a non-committal leader. Qatar’s government because they will receive the weapons.

Contributing Factors
Qatar needs weapons to defend itself but is suspected of funding terrorist groups. Trump has been seen as deceitful and backtracking multiple times, so this isn’t totally breaking news.

Implications
The impact this could have on the perception of Trump, the US, and Qatar is fairly large. Even though he has ties to corruption, this is some of the most overt lying he has done. It could also worry the people of Qatar or individuals present in combat situations involving Qatar.

Bias
There isn’t much bias but the title is meant to grab your attention and not fully explain both sides.

Energy Wars: Pipelines define environmental struggle

Energy Wars: Pipelines define environmental struggle
Published: June 2, 2014

Source: The Toronto Star
Author: Les Whittington

Issue Overview and Course Connections

What?: A pipeline that the government wants to build to move oil from the oil sands in Western Canada to Eastern Canada.
Who?: The government of Canada
Where?: Canada, the oil sands
When?: The pipeline began in 2013 but to current day
Why?: To earn profit

Key Stakeholders
The government of Canada because they want the pipeline and think it will bring economic prosperity. The aboriginal population of Canada because it affects their lands.

Contributing Factors
Economic factors are fueling this issue because the whole reason behind this pipeline for the Conservative government is money. They want to make money and that’s what this pipeline will do for them, by eliminating the costs of the transportation of oil. The factors for controversy are that this land is supposed to have been parceled to native populations to be undisturbed. It will now house giant machines that are very risky and disturb the natural order of the land.

Implications
Environmental impacts of this issue are key. It will occupy large areas of native land and could spell disaster if it breaks. It is also a betrayal of trust if the government takes more of the reserve space. It is also a repeat of what happened to natives throughout history, an unfortunate chapter that Canada should hope to erase, rather than slightly modify it for modern times.

Bias
The article is biased against the pipeline but it does make a good case against it.

General Dynamics: Federal Court dismisses challenge to condemn Canada’s deal with Saudi Arabia

General Dynamics: Federal Court dismisses challenge to condemn Canada’s deal with Saudi Arabia 

Source: The London Free Press

Author: No Authors

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Issue Overview and Course Connections:

This article outlines a recent challenge to the multi-billion dollar arms deal recently made between the Saudi Arabia and Canadian manufacturer General Dynamics.

It relates to Canada and to foreign conflicts. Saudi Arabia is known to be fairly brutal even to its own citizens and this deal has caused a lot of controversy. Canada, a democratic and supposedly peaceful country has come under fire for supplying what seems to be profit-driven conflicts.

Who? General Dynamics and Saudi Arabia
What? A major arms deal
When? It was signed in 2016
Where? Canada and Saudi Arabia
Why? Saudi Arabia is a controversial country and selling arms to them is seen as unethical

Key Stakeholders:

The Saudi people because these weapons could be used against them. Canadian people because this reflects us on an international level. The business itself because it makes an ridiculous amount of money on this deal but it also affects their reputation. The Saudi Government because if the deal is cancelled they won’t have access to these weapons.,

Contributing Factors:

Economic. It is a clearly profit-driven move as GD is a business. Conflict because that is why Saudi Arabia needs these weapons in the first place. Culture. Canada has a different culture than Saudi Arabia so we are condemning this deal, whereas they may not.

Implications:

This could have a major impact on Canada’s reputation as well as directly on Saudi citizens. It also has a major impact on the Canadian economy as this is one of the largest deals ever approved for a Canadian business

Bias:

There is no bias in this article.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula says it was behind ‘Charlie Hebdo’ attack

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula says it was behind ‘Charlie Hebdo’ attack

Source: The Irish Times

Author: Lara Marlowe
Date: Jan 15, 2015

Who? ISIS members
What? Attacking the offices of a satirical magazine in Paris
When? 2015
Where? Paris
Why? The magazine depicted a Muslim religious figure

Issue Overview and Course Connections
Terrorist groups have been targeting much of Europe recently. One of the first major attacks was of the offices of Charlie Hebdo. Al-Qaeda they were upset about comics depicting Muhammad, they attacked the magazine office and killed 12 of the people working there. The terrorist group stated that they did it “as vengeance for the Messenger of God”.

Key Stakeholders
This would mainly be ISIS and the journalists of Europe. ISIS is directly involved as they carried out the attack in the name of their cause. They have also been behind many attacks recently. Journalists could be afraid because controversial opinions they may publish could literally get them killed.

Contributing Factors
The drawing of Muhammad, a religious figure who is not meant to be depicted is what spurred the attack. Rising tensions in Europe about immigrants and their purposes.

Implications
It was met with a strong sentiment of remorse but the entire international community sided with Charlie Hebdo. It affected security in France and Paris and heightened the level of fear for the average person. It also showed that ISIS is no longer a threat from abroad.

Bias
They didn’t speak much of the victims or any mention of how to heal after this tragedy. It seemed like they wanted to scare people.

HIV and AIDs in Nigeria

HIV AND AIDS IN NIGERIA
Source: AVERT
Author: No Author
Published: 06 June 2017

Issue Overview and Course Connections:

This article is mainly about HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. HIV/AIDS is a pressing issues in third world countries. Many people suffer from it, mostly African countries like Nigeria.. It is a major problem as more than two thirds, ~70%, who have HIV/AIDs are Africans.

This issues relates to the idea of peripheral and core societies. The reason why HIV/AIDS is such a major issues in peripheral societies is because they have little access to healthcare resources and education, especially compared to their core counterparts.

Who? Individuals with HIV/AIDs
What? HIV/AIDs is a growing problem in Africa
When? Now
Where? Nigeria
Why? People do not have the resources to combat the spread

Key Stakeholders:

People with HIV/AIDS in Africa are clearly the biggest stakeholders because it is a literal life and death matter. The government of Nigeria because it has the responsibility of creating infrastructure in order to help these people. Western countries because it is their duty to aid these people from their positions of privilege.

Contributing Factors:

Economic because these countries do not have the funds to create adequate treatment facilities or educate people on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, Cultural because the culture surrounding sex and treatment in many of these countries are barbaric and ineffective.

Implications:

Medical in that these people are very sick and could easily die. Criminal because many receive HIV/AIDS from prostitutes and attempt to cure it by having sex with (raping) a virgin.

Bias:

There is almost no bias present in this article. However the authors declines to place any blame on the people, nation, or international community.

Awareness piece

 

I chose to create a National Geographic cover because it seemed like the most effective coupled with my own skill set. I am not very good at art or writing so something that could be done digitally and without massive walls of text seemed the most accessible.

The highlights on the right side of the page are what i expect to be the most pressing issues in 2017. Terrorism is changing greatly with American and Canadian citizens being radicalized. Additionally, cyber-terrorism has been getting a lot of coverage lately due to the election scandals. Trump is there because he has to be and will be a major factor in the international political climate. The oil issues is doubly highlighted (the cover image is of oil sands) because the “Energy East” pipeline is still in the works and as the world becomes more eco-friendly Canada may have a large part. Aboriginal rights are important because they are finally getting the attention they deserve. Not only in Canada but also in America, New Zealand, and Australia.