International
Assad’s Pyrrhic Victory: What the Fall of Aleppo Means for Syria
The Fall of Aleppo
The recapture Syria’s second city by Syrian forces now seems all but inevitable. The Syrian army, along with Russian airpower and regional allies have managed to take control of large swathes of the city’s Rebel-held eastern-half. Russian involvement in the operation, which has proven to be decisive, is fueled by Russia’s ambition to keep Bashar al-Assad in power. Russia’s clear strategy stands in stark contrast to the rest of the international community, who have been scrambling for years trying to cope with the Syrian conflict and its various ramifications. Logan Masilamani, a Political Science lecturer at Simon Fraser University, told Surrey604 that Canada needs to clarify its Syria policy. “Truthfully, Canada has no Syrian strategy. Canada’s policy is strongly attached to the US” said Masilamani. He went on to say that “with the change of US leadership immanent, Canada needs to find its own voice and try to build a coalition of countries that would support an end to the war in Syria immediately. It should also take in more refugees immediately and create a channel to undertake such policies”.
Aleppo’s Historic Significance
Analysts have long reasoned that the fall of Aleppo (to either side in the Syrian war) will be a decisive moment that will shift the tide of conflict. The reasons for this conclusion were clear and simple. With a pre-war population of over 2 million people, Aleppo was once the culturally rich commercial hub of Syria. Aleppo featured a splendorous collection of historic architecture neatly woven into the modern urban development of a booming metropolis; appropriate for one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. When asked about Aleppo’s strategic significance, Andrew Tabler, a Middle East analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told NPR last year that “Aleppo is not only the second largest city in Syria but is the main urban center in the northern part of Syria… The economy of Aleppo was one of the largest in the country. And it was also home to a number of tourist sites that people from all over the world would visit…it’s also the place where the United States had its longest representation in terms of diplomacy”. The fact is, however, that every one of the variables that once made Aleppo so strategically important no longer exist.
Aleppo Today
The city of Aleppo stands as a shadow of its former self. The BBC reports that, as of July of this year, the city is home to approximately 300,000 inhabitants (losing 85 percent of its pre-war population). The displaced former residents of Aleppo hardly have any reason to return to their previous homes, as the war has left much of its buildings and infrastructure in absolute ruin. Pictures escaping from Aleppo’s eastern-half show that both modern and historic buildings have been reduced to rubble. The bustling factories and shops that once filled the cities economic districts have been laid to waste. All of this, of course, is the result of half a decade of indiscriminate shelling by the Syrian army (and, more recently, massive aerial bombardment by Russian forces). It stands to reason, then, that Aleppo has lost much of its strategic significance. This makes Assad’s recent victory all the more important.
A Pyrrhic Victory
A pyrrhic victory refers to a battle or war that has been won at so great a cost that it leaves the victor depleted (ultimately precipitating the fall of the victorious party). In capturing Aleppo, Assad’s regime has effectively cut off its nose to spite its face. It has dealt a major blow to the Syrian opposition, but has destroyed its major commercial and cultural centre in the process. It will be difficult (but unfortunately not impossible) for Assad to shake off the countless human rights abuses that have taken place during the recapture of Aleppo, which include the indiscriminate shelling of civilians, the wanton destruction of infrastructure, the rape of girls and women, and the summary executions of men, women and children. The recapture of Aleppo has (hopefully) cost Assad any hope at being readmitted into the international community.
Aleppo’s Legacy
Like Stalingrad, Sarejevo, and Jenin before it, Aleppo will stand in history as a place where people spoke truth to power, and paid a high price (while the world stood and watched). The scale of suffering – rarely seen on such an industrial scale – has been made all the more real as the flood of images and videos continue to pour through our social media feeds. However, it is entirely possible – perhaps even likely – that this defeat will be too heavy a prize for Assad and his allies to enjoy.
In the political space, while America to the south is already entrenched in its ritual, brutal campaigns, across the Atlantic, Canada’s former mother country, Great Britain, is grappling with establishing itself in the world of international trade. Having left the European Union, analysts are now looking at Canada as the perfect model for the UK post-Brexit.
Even though there is a history shared between the two nations and a general fondness for one another, the two places aren’t thought of in the same circles, with Canada and Britain seeming like completely different entities. So, we’ve decided to check in on our distant relatives across the pond, starting our comparison between the UK and Canada with Surrey of England and our very own Surrey of British Colombia.
Surrey (UK) vs Surrey (BC)
The Surrey that we know well in British Columbia overlooks the water, with Crescent Beach and White Rock Pier connecting residents to Boundary Bay. In Canada, Surrey is a city, a part of the Vancouver Metro area, but is made up of several town centres, including Guildford, Fleetwood, and Newton. However, only amounting to an area of about 316.4 square kilometres, BC’s Surrey is the smaller of the two.
In the UK, Surrey constitutes a county that hosts many towns, including one by the name of Guildford. Both Fleetwood and Newton are places in the UK as well, but neither are in Surrey UK. Like Surrey BC, England’s Surrey is close to a major city, bordering the Greater London area, but the county is much larger – at 1662.52 square kilometres – and much more wooded than the modern-day Surrey in Canada.
The two Surreys don’t just share a name, though: British Columbia’s Surrey was directly named after the Surrey of England. Being a rather forested area at the time, when H.J. Brewer looked across the Fraser River to the land, he thought it reminiscent of his native county, hence the name. BC’s Surrey has since become very urbanized and modern in its city aesthetic. In contrast, Surrey county has remained a relatively quaint but affluent area of England, with golf courses, woodland, and horse racing tracks dotted around the county.
A similar people in many ways
There’s little point in denying the influence that the United States has had on modern life in both Canada and the UK, but both nations manage to maintain a strong sense of identity to remain separate entities entirely. It could even be suggested that Canada and the UK have many more similarities, particularly in attitudes, than either nation does with the US.
Looking at the cultures of the people and politicians of both countries, attitudes towards equal rights, value priorities, free speech, government responsibility, social welfare, and self-reliance are near-identical.On the entertainment front, both countries have been able to produce great movies and shows while also enjoying the content created in Hollywood. The UK and Canada also share a similarly passionate and pride-driven following of sports.
In Canada, of course, the focus is on hockey, with Surrey having forged several top-class NHL players while devoting a strong following to the Vancouver Canucks and the many Major Junior clubs of British Columbia. In the UK, soccer is the top sport, without question, but the presence of high-class soccer in Surrey UK is very meek – almost non-existent, in fact.
For top-tier sport, it’s all about Surrey County Cricket Club, with the ground, The Oval, often staging international cricket matches in the summer months. However, the seeming lack of sports teams in the area can’t be mistaken for lack of sports enthusiasm, with the people of Surrey following all forms of sport and using the best bookmakers in the country to claim generous free bets to back everything from football to horse racing.
There is a bit of a crossover in sports fandom between the Surreys, with the Guildford Flames hockey team in England cultivating a strong following for the local club and an ever-increasing amount of intrigue in the top domestic tier of the sport, the NHL. Naturally, the quality of the sport and style played on either side of the Atlantic are very different, but there’s still a strong affection for the game in both Surreys.
Over 7,750 km separate the Surrey of England and Surrey in British Columbia, and yet the two locations and the people within have much more in common than just their names.
International
Global Expert Says Pandemic Is a Call to Action for Solutions to Tackling the Climate Crisis
In a new interview with C.M. Rubin, Founder of CMRubinWorld, Dr. Roland Kupers, author of A Climate Policy Revolution (Harvard University Press), discusses the ways the pandemic helped the Climate Crisis.
Global economic growth is driven by consumer consumption, but unfortunately, that consumption is also polluting our planet. To tackle the climate crisis we need cleaner energy, but we also need different social norms. During COVID19, the world was able to see the impact a lockdown can have on our environment.
People were forced to give up their cars and coal and entire ways of life, and research shows carbon monoxide levels were reduced by nearly 50% compared to levels in the same period last year. Emissions of the planet-heating gas CO2 also fell sharply. Roland Kupers is an advisor on Complexity, Resilience and Energy Transition, and the author of A Climate Policy Revolution – What the Science of Complexity Reveals about Saving Our Planet.
Kupers shared with C.M. Rubin, Founder of CMRubinWorld, 10 ways the pandemic helped to fight the climate crisis. “From psychology we know that it takes 3 – 6 weeks for new tastes to remain. Our new pandemic habits of less travel, video meetings and valuing cleaner air just might stick,” says Kupers. See the full story here
Roland Kupers is the author of A Climate Policy Revolution – What the Science of Complexity Reveals about Saving Our Planet (Harvard University Press). Kupers is an advisor on Complexity, Resilience and Energy Transition, as well as a researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Amsterdam.
CMRubinWorld’s award-winning series, The Global Search for Education, brings together distinguished thought leaders in education and innovation from around the world to explore the key learning issues faced by most nations. The series has become a highly visible platform for global discourse on 21st century learning, offering a diverse range of innovative ideas which are presented by the series founder, C. M. Rubin, together with the world’s leading thinkers.
For more information on CMRubinWorld
Follow @CMRubinWorld on Twitter
It should come as no surprise that Surrey, BC is named after the county of Surrey located in England. You may recognize the name as the home of the fictional 4 Privet Drive of Harry Potter fame but the actual county of Surrey is very real and unfortunately, not home to a famous cupboard under the stairs. Surrey, BC was named by HJ Brewer, an Englishman who spotted the land that would become Surrey from across the Fraser River and declared that it reminded him of his hometown in the County of Surrey.
And thus, Surrey, BC was born! Since then, Surrey has continued to grow and prosper. Mayor Linda Hepner knows Surrey isn’t done growing either, “We have the framework in place for sustainable growth, and I look forward to working alongside City Council, staff and residents to continue building upon Surrey’s achievements to date.”
But besides a name, what else do we have in common with our English ancestor?
1) Booming population: Both Surreys know how to attract people and pack them in. Surrey, BC is the second most populous city in British Columbia with over 500,000 residents. Surrey is expected to surpass Vancouver in population in the next 10 years. Surrey is also the third largest city in area in the province. Across the pond, Surrey, England is the most densely populated county in the country with a population of 1.1 million
Surrey Market, Surrey UK (Image Source)
2) Location: Both Surrey, BC and Surrey, England are southeast from a major city – Vancouver and London, respectively. Both places are perfect for living in a quieter suburban area while still being able to work and play in the big city when you want to.
Surrey City Centre, Surrey BC (Image Source)
3) The district of Guildford: Guildford can be found in both Surrey, BC and Surrey, England. In Surrey, England, the Borough of Guildford is the largest settlement in the county and home to Guildford Castle. Guildford Town Centre in Surrey, BC doesn’t have a castle but is known for its very impressive shopping centre.
Surrey UK borough (Image Source)
4) Two major rivers: Both Surreys have two major rivers flowing through the city. In Surrey, BC we have the Nicomekl and Serpentine rivers. In Surrey, England they have the Wey and Mole rivers.
Wey River, Surrey UK (Image Source)
5) Love for Christmas: Surrey is a festive place that loves the Christmas holiday! In Surrey, England you’ll find Christmas Markets, special Christmas shopping displays and the whole county shining with Christmas lights. But Surrey, BC takes the cake when it comes to Christmas lights. Every year, Surrey hosts the Tree Lighting Festival where a 55-foot tree is lit, musical groups perform and festival goers ride the Shooting Star Ferris Wheel. There’s even a special appearance by the big guy in red, himself!
Surrey Tree Lighting, Surrey City Hall, Surrey BC (Image Source)
Fidel Castro, one of the 20th century’s most influential and divisive figures, passed away today. At 90 years old, the passionate left-wing revolutionary stood in defiance of what he viewed as American imperialism. His iron grip on the island nation ensured his government’s survival decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union. While his legacy will continue to be a matter of debate for years to come, his death may have very real implications for Canadian-Cuban economic and political relations.
Trudeaus and Castros
Castro’s death occurred less than two weeks after Justin Trudeau concluded a historic visit to Cuba. Justin can be seen as following in the footsteps of his father, Pierre, who bravely visited and maintained relations with the Caribbean nation during the height of the cold war. The two leaders continued to maintain a close political and personal relationship for decades. A relationship that often included Castro seeking Pierre Trudeau’s council on political issues. When the elder Trudeau passed in September of 2000, the aging Castro made a rare international trip to Canada to honour his friend. A young Justin Trudeau is famously photographed at the event, being embraced by the leader of the Cuban revolution.
The Future of Canada – Cuba Relations
Canada has maintained an economic niche in Cuba, taking advantage of the United States’ willing absence from the Cuban market. The re-establishment of American-Cuban relations (resurrected in July 2015 after decades of American embargoes) threatens to undercut Canada’s unique presence in the Cuban market. It remains unclear whether Prime Minister Trudeau will be able to maintain Canadian supremacy on the Caribbean island, especially with a mercantilist American administration set to take office in January.
I hate Donald Trump. I hate him with a visceral, deep passion. With that said, I am not all that disappointed that he won this election. There are a handful of things that Canadians can look forward to from a Trump presidency (If you are American you can stop reading now, because the next four years will not go well for you).
Cheaper American Imports
The American markets took a massive tumble upon discovering that the world was going to wake up to a Trump presidency. Canadians – the majority of whom live within ear-shot of the US border – can go back to enjoying relatively low priced American gasoline and consumer goods.
Look Forward to a Boost in International Student Enrollment
Nearly every nation in the world looked on at this year’s election cycle with befuddlement; how is it possible that this underqualified, belligerent orangutan is still in this race (and how could anyone think he can win…)? This is particularly troubling considering how comfortable he is alienating nearly all visible minorities, and pretty much anyone who disagrees with him.
The political climate in the United States appears so toxic that international students may begin looking north of the 49th parallel to settle for their education. The United States is one of the most popular destinations for international students. A student’s feeling of safety, security, and welcome is essential for the successful recruitment of International students (one of BC’s largest industries). We may see this industry grow at the expense of our southern neighbours.
He Will Cut Off His Nose to Spite His Face
I have read persuasive arguments which hold the position that Donald Trump is a psychopath. If this is true (and yes, it is a massive assumption), Trump will put his personal interests above anything else. Why is this relevant? Trump does not kowtow to bullies, and despises people who outmanoeuver him (the last two points are not massive assumptions by any stretch).
It is entirely conceivable that Trump may trigger a deterioration in relationships with dictators and despots around the world. NOT out of principle, but simply because he doesn’t like them (the opposite is obviously also possible…).
Good luck over the next four years everyone!
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