At the Crossroads of Fraud, Data and Intelligence

At the Crossroads of Fraud, Data and Intelligence

The hopeful traveller looks over the pile of documents collected as per the checklist: financial, employment and civil documents; passport, proof of prior travel; hotel bookings, flight tickets and a letter of explanation. And of course, the visa application form, summarizing all…

Postcards from the (Diplomatic) Edge

James Trottier outside the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang. Photo: Kevin Jo

Canada has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 2001, managed through the Canadian Embassy in South Korea. While directing the political/economic program in Seoul, I was cross-accredited as the Political Counsellor to North Korea. I led four Canadian diplomatic missions to…

2019: A High Stakes Year

2019: A High Stakes Year

IL SEMBLE QUE 2019 SERA une année d’enjeux importants, non seulement pour le service extérieur, mais pour le monde entier : l’avenir des institutions de l’ordre international, de la démocratie, de la dignité et des droits de l’homme que de nombreuses sociétés…

Human Geography and the Foreign Service

Human Geography and the Foreign Service

PENDANT QU’IL NEIGE A OTTAWA, une énième caravane de migrants se forme au Honduras. Une vague humaine se gonfle. Elle se brisera dans deux mois à la frontière séparant les États-Unis du Mexique, son rivage principal, éparpillant ses coquillages : certains sur…