David McKinnon
@dbmckinnon.bsky.social
Recovering diplomat (Indo-Pacific). Eclectic enthusiasms. Former Canadian high commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives.
If you're not in #SriLanka and looking to contribute to #CycloneDitwah relief, @wfp.org is taking donations to support its great work there. donate.wfp.org/1244/donation/…
December 4, 2025 at 7:32 PM
If you're not in #SriLanka and looking to contribute to #CycloneDitwah relief, @wfp.org is taking donations to support its great work there. donate.wfp.org/1244/donation/…
November 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by David McKinnon
We've made it on to bluesky! Find the full articles over on lowbrow.au or on our substack!
Lowbrow
Explore approachable art writing, exhibition reviews, and cultural essays from the Melbourne art scene, celebrating emerging artists and writers.
lowbrow.au
November 11, 2025 at 4:24 AM
We've made it on to bluesky! Find the full articles over on lowbrow.au or on our substack!
November 9, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by David McKinnon
Ed Luce's FT column this morning is pure brilliance.
September 23, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Ed Luce's FT column this morning is pure brilliance.
Superb #breakfast in #Mostar #BosniaHercegovina with an iconic view to match. #SriLanka has a European rival in the breakfast league. Www.urban-Mostar.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Superb #breakfast in #Mostar #BosniaHercegovina with an iconic view to match. #SriLanka has a European rival in the breakfast league. Www.urban-Mostar.com
Summer in #Ottawa! My weekend’s work is cut out. #Raspberries are local and the #apricots from #Niagara. The preserves will be a welcome bit of summer in the basement when winter inevitably comes.
July 19, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Summer in #Ottawa! My weekend’s work is cut out. #Raspberries are local and the #apricots from #Niagara. The preserves will be a welcome bit of summer in the basement when winter inevitably comes.
From me. The #G7 in Kananaskis was a significant opportunity to kickstart a reset the Canada-India relationship. Hazards remain, but each can be useful to the other as global turmoil shows no sign of abating. @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social
The #G7 Summit may be over, but the #Canada-#India relationship reset is just getting started.
APF Canada Senior Fellow @dbmckinnon.bsky.social looks beyond the Summit at the potential direction of the bilateral relationship amidst "the chaos of Donald #Trump’s administration 👇
APF Canada Senior Fellow @dbmckinnon.bsky.social looks beyond the Summit at the potential direction of the bilateral relationship amidst "the chaos of Donald #Trump’s administration 👇
Canada, India, and the Path Beyond the G7
As the excitement of the G7 in Kananaskis fades, it’s worth reflecting on where the strained but important Canada–India relationship may go from here.
www.asiapacific.ca
June 25, 2025 at 8:14 PM
From me. The #G7 in Kananaskis was a significant opportunity to kickstart a reset the Canada-India relationship. Hazards remain, but each can be useful to the other as global turmoil shows no sign of abating. @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social
The egg did seem big.
A double yolk is supposed to bring good luck. No question we could use some wherever it can be found…
A double yolk is supposed to bring good luck. No question we could use some wherever it can be found…
June 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The egg did seem big.
A double yolk is supposed to bring good luck. No question we could use some wherever it can be found…
A double yolk is supposed to bring good luck. No question we could use some wherever it can be found…
Business like and diplomatic--nice change. Return of high commissioners suggests both sides want an off ramp from the mayhem of the last two years. At the same time, #G7 stmt on transnational repression (pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...) will be noticed in Delhi. #CanadaIndia
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/read...
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/read...
Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties, based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territori...
www.pm.gc.ca
June 18, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Business like and diplomatic--nice change. Return of high commissioners suggests both sides want an off ramp from the mayhem of the last two years. At the same time, #G7 stmt on transnational repression (pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...) will be noticed in Delhi. #CanadaIndia
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/read...
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/read...
Only my third visit to #NiagaraFalls, and my first in summer. Notwithstanding all the endless tourist kitsch nearby, the Canadian falls did not disappoint.
June 14, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Only my third visit to #NiagaraFalls, and my first in summer. Notwithstanding all the endless tourist kitsch nearby, the Canadian falls did not disappoint.
New from me. Good that PM Carney let Canada’s interests guide the invitation to Indian PM Modi to attend the #G7, but the oversimplified response from much of the Canadian commentariat suggests we have a way to go before we can have a serious conversation about what we face.
Opinion: Values alone cannot build serious foreign policy
In an increasingly disordered world, Canada needs to beef up its international relationships
www.theglobeandmail.com
June 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
New from me. Good that PM Carney let Canada’s interests guide the invitation to Indian PM Modi to attend the #G7, but the oversimplified response from much of the Canadian commentariat suggests we have a way to go before we can have a serious conversation about what we face.
Lovely recognition of the Casualty Identification Program @CanadianForces This small team of a forensic anthropologist and historians (incl. my daughter @alxmck.bsky.social !) keeps up a promise made long ago to the families of #Canada's 27,000 war missing.
Family ‘blown away’ by impressive work linking Canadian soldier killed during First World War with unidentified grave
The family of a Canadian soldier with no known grave for more than a century is impressed and thankful for the work by a team of historical researchers to identify their relative’s last resting place.
www.ctvnews.ca
June 4, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Lovely recognition of the Casualty Identification Program @CanadianForces This small team of a forensic anthropologist and historians (incl. my daughter @alxmck.bsky.social !) keeps up a promise made long ago to the families of #Canada's 27,000 war missing.
Reposted by David McKinnon
📢Blog par @dbmckinnon.bsky.social - La place du Canada dans un monde désordonné : Quelle est la prochaine étape pour la diplomatie canadienne ?
Une politique étrangère crédible et durable doit refléter ce que nous sommes, ce qui nous tient à cœur et ce que nous défendons...🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
Une politique étrangère crédible et durable doit refléter ce que nous sommes, ce qui nous tient à cœur et ce que nous défendons...🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
June 2, 2025 at 2:54 PM
📢Blog par @dbmckinnon.bsky.social - La place du Canada dans un monde désordonné : Quelle est la prochaine étape pour la diplomatie canadienne ?
Une politique étrangère crédible et durable doit refléter ce que nous sommes, ce qui nous tient à cœur et ce que nous défendons...🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
Une politique étrangère crédible et durable doit refléter ce que nous sommes, ce qui nous tient à cœur et ce que nous défendons...🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
Reposted by David McKinnon
📢New blog by @dbmckinnon.bsky.social - Canada’s Place in a Disordered World: What’s Next for Canadian Diplomacy?
A credible and enduring foreign policy will reflect who we are, what we care about, and what we stand for... 🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
A credible and enduring foreign policy will reflect who we are, what we care about, and what we stand for... 🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
June 2, 2025 at 2:54 PM
📢New blog by @dbmckinnon.bsky.social - Canada’s Place in a Disordered World: What’s Next for Canadian Diplomacy?
A credible and enduring foreign policy will reflect who we are, what we care about, and what we stand for... 🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
A credible and enduring foreign policy will reflect who we are, what we care about, and what we stand for... 🔗https://bit.ly/4kRbWB7
Absolutely worth reading this piece by Brahma Chellaney on Trump’s dealings with India. The extraordinary self-destruction of US power and influence in the Indo-Pacific continues unabated. Art of the deal, only the best etc etc.
Commentary: Trump’s coercive use of trade threats against India during a military crisis, while easing pressure on China, has undermined trust in the U.S.-India partnership and exposed Washington as an unreliable security ally.
Trump’s wake-up call for India’s foreign policy
Trump may have done India a favor. His actions have exposed an uncomfortable truth: Under his leadership, the U.S. is not a dependable partner in matters of security.
www.japantimes.co.jp
May 21, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Absolutely worth reading this piece by Brahma Chellaney on Trump’s dealings with India. The extraordinary self-destruction of US power and influence in the Indo-Pacific continues unabated. Art of the deal, only the best etc etc.
Reposted by David McKinnon
Nous sommes impatients de participer à la conférence de lundi prochain !
Avec 3 panels :
🔷Dans quelle mesure pouvons-nous compter sur nos alliances ?
🔷Comment devrions-nous nous engager avec le reste du monde ?
🔷En quoi cela change-t-il notre diplomatie ?
>>> bit.ly/3EXmijn
Avec 3 panels :
🔷Dans quelle mesure pouvons-nous compter sur nos alliances ?
🔷Comment devrions-nous nous engager avec le reste du monde ?
🔷En quoi cela change-t-il notre diplomatie ?
>>> bit.ly/3EXmijn
May 6, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Nous sommes impatients de participer à la conférence de lundi prochain !
Avec 3 panels :
🔷Dans quelle mesure pouvons-nous compter sur nos alliances ?
🔷Comment devrions-nous nous engager avec le reste du monde ?
🔷En quoi cela change-t-il notre diplomatie ?
>>> bit.ly/3EXmijn
Avec 3 panels :
🔷Dans quelle mesure pouvons-nous compter sur nos alliances ?
🔷Comment devrions-nous nous engager avec le reste du monde ?
🔷En quoi cela change-t-il notre diplomatie ?
>>> bit.ly/3EXmijn
Reposted by David McKinnon
We're excited for next Monday's conference!
Featuring 3 panels:
🔷How Much Can We Rely on Our Traditional Alliances?
🔷How Should We Engage the Rest of the World?
🔷How Does This Change Our Diplomacy?
@jacquelinebest.bsky.social @vinanadjibulla.bsky.social @dbmckinnon.bsky.social
>>> bit.ly/438FST4
Featuring 3 panels:
🔷How Much Can We Rely on Our Traditional Alliances?
🔷How Should We Engage the Rest of the World?
🔷How Does This Change Our Diplomacy?
@jacquelinebest.bsky.social @vinanadjibulla.bsky.social @dbmckinnon.bsky.social
>>> bit.ly/438FST4
May 6, 2025 at 2:48 PM
We're excited for next Monday's conference!
Featuring 3 panels:
🔷How Much Can We Rely on Our Traditional Alliances?
🔷How Should We Engage the Rest of the World?
🔷How Does This Change Our Diplomacy?
@jacquelinebest.bsky.social @vinanadjibulla.bsky.social @dbmckinnon.bsky.social
>>> bit.ly/438FST4
Featuring 3 panels:
🔷How Much Can We Rely on Our Traditional Alliances?
🔷How Should We Engage the Rest of the World?
🔷How Does This Change Our Diplomacy?
@jacquelinebest.bsky.social @vinanadjibulla.bsky.social @dbmckinnon.bsky.social
>>> bit.ly/438FST4
Reposted by David McKinnon
As we see all too predictable breaches of electoral law, this great article explains why the ban on polling booth ballot selfies actually matters.
Foreign interference and the viral “Pencil-gate” conspiracy theory at Canada’s polling stations are connected.
I wrote on shenanigans at the polls and how to do our part to keep elections secure for @thestar.com
(And, I successfully snuck in the word “pollercoaster”…big win!)
I wrote on shenanigans at the polls and how to do our part to keep elections secure for @thestar.com
(And, I successfully snuck in the word “pollercoaster”…big win!)
There are good reasons for not taking selfies while we vote. Here’s why
This writ period, Canadian electors have had to navigate a steeplechase of deepfakes, conspiracy theories, intimidation and foreign interference. Security measures have proved resilient, but a pair of...
www.thestar.com
April 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
As we see all too predictable breaches of electoral law, this great article explains why the ban on polling booth ballot selfies actually matters.
I am not exactly a church going guy, but I make an exception for special occasions.
Please vote!
#CanadaElections2025 #CanadaVotes
Please vote!
#CanadaElections2025 #CanadaVotes
April 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I am not exactly a church going guy, but I make an exception for special occasions.
Please vote!
#CanadaElections2025 #CanadaVotes
Please vote!
#CanadaElections2025 #CanadaVotes
Shocking.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
9 people killed, others injured after vehicle drives into Vancouver street festival crowd | CBC News
Vancouver police say nine people were killed and multiple others injured after the driver of a black SUV drove into a crowd at a street festival in Vancouver on Saturday evening.
www.cbc.ca
April 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Shocking.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Whoever wins April 28 must make the case for #Canada to re-engage — effectively and pragmatically — with India.
#India is far too important to our economic and security future to ignore.
My take, via @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social
#canpoli #foreignpolicy
www.asiapacific.ca/publication/...
#India is far too important to our economic and security future to ignore.
My take, via @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social
#canpoli #foreignpolicy
www.asiapacific.ca/publication/...
The Case for Re-engaging India
Every assumption we’ve made about Canada’s place in the world over the past 80 years is open to question. We can no longer rely on others to safeguard our
www.asiapacific.ca
April 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Whoever wins April 28 must make the case for #Canada to re-engage — effectively and pragmatically — with India.
#India is far too important to our economic and security future to ignore.
My take, via @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social
#canpoli #foreignpolicy
www.asiapacific.ca/publication/...
#India is far too important to our economic and security future to ignore.
My take, via @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social
#canpoli #foreignpolicy
www.asiapacific.ca/publication/...
Apart from the arrival of spring in #Ottawa, Easter heralded another big change in our house: the arrival of six month old Patty. 15 year old Ozzie, the resident miniature poodle. does not yet seem to be as charmed as we are. He is getting more sleep, though.
April 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Apart from the arrival of spring in #Ottawa, Easter heralded another big change in our house: the arrival of six month old Patty. 15 year old Ozzie, the resident miniature poodle. does not yet seem to be as charmed as we are. He is getting more sleep, though.