China has long been a mystery to the world, and we often get it wrong. But today, understanding China isn’t just about geopolitics or military power. It’s about the global economy, Canada’s place in it, and the difficult road ahead in our bilateral relationship.On this episode of The Red Passport, Peter Donolo, Jeremy Kinsman, and Louise Blais sit down with former Canadian ambassador to China Howard Balloch to unpack the forces shaping Beijing’s choices and what they mean for Canada.
--------
41:58
--------
41:58
Navigating the New World Order
In this episode of The Red Passport, Jeremy, Louise, and Peter unpack Canada’s place in a fractured world order from the stakes in Ukraine and Gaza to the shifting dynamics between Washington, Europe, and Ottawa. With candid analysis and decades of diplomatic insight, they explore how Canada can balance values and interests in an era of unpredictable leaders, stalled peacekeeping, and global crises. It’s a conversation about hard choices, skilled diplomacy, and what it will take to navigate turbulent times. Recorded Tuesday August 12, 2025.
--------
44:46
--------
44:46
Special Guest: Jennifer Welsh
The US has abandoned its traditional global leadership role. Respected international relations expert, Professor Jennifer Welsh joins Louise, Jeremy and Peter to talk about what this means in terms of the great global challenges of our day, and how nations like Canada can help fill the gap.
--------
46:17
--------
46:17
Bombs Away with Donald Trump
The smoke has barely cleared from the US attack on Iran's nuclear sites. Jeremy Kinsman and Peter Donolo contemplate the geopolitical consequences of Trump's decision. And - yes - even what it means for Canada.Recorded Sunday June 22, 2025
--------
28:17
--------
28:17
Special Guest Jon Allen on Israel & Palestine
One of Canada’s leading experts on Israel and Palestine, former ambassador Jon Allen, returns to the Red Passport to discuss the ongoing crisis, how the region could move toward a lasting and just peace, and what role Canada can play.
The Red Passport. The special passport used by Canadian diplomats accredited abroad or travelling from Ottawa on high-level business. Louise Blais, Jeremy Kinsman and Peter Donolo have all held the Red Passport at key moments in their careers - and in Canada's recent history. In every episode of the CIC's new podcast, they offer listeners their own "Red Passport", giving them an inside view how Canadian governments and policy makers try to steer our country through today's turbulent world - while advancing our interests, and keeping true to our values.
Canada - english