Robert Fowler

A letter from the leadership of al-Qaeda’s North Africa branch to its erstwhile employee, regional terrorist chief Moktar Belmoktar, confirms that a ransom of about $950,000 was paid for the release of Canadian diplomats Robert Fowler and Louis Guay in 2009.

If the Foreign Minister doesn’t want to get involved in another Afghanistan, what are we still doing in the original one?

Michael Petrou on why this war may be unavoidable

A Michael Petrou report: Islamist terrorists spread chaos and fear in Africa while the West dithers

Former high-ranking civil servants are outspoken critics of the Harper government

Saudi Arabia grants women the right to vote, U.S.-Pakistani relations deteriorate further

Robert Fowler and Louis Guay were held captive by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb for five months before they were released. Stephen Harper denied that Canada paid a ransom. He did not deny that other countries might have on Canada’s behalf. The Globe has the WikiLeaks story. I reported similar details in April 2009. Here and here.

There appears to be an enduring interest in long-form eloquence

Margaret Thatcher beats out Oprah, Ozzy Osbourne’s Neanderthal roots, and a very special seeing-eye dog

In a democratic society, not voting is still an exercise in civic responsibility

Robert Fowler’s Keeping It Real tour rolls on.

PETER C. NEWMAN: The Liberals begin building a template for the next election