Michael Byers 🇨🇦

Interview - Michael Byers Michael Byers explains how space, climate change, and conflict intersect and why global cooperation and context matter more than ever in international law.

Here's my interview with E-International Relations, on everything from teaching the Gaza War to co-authoring with an astrophysicist!

The International Court of Justice’s statement on fossil fuels puts Carney in a tough spot An advisory opinion on responsibility for emissions means that Canada could be on the hook for major climate-change-related damages in the years ahead

If you missed my controversial take on the consequences of the ICJ advisory opinion on climate change for Canada, here's a gift article:

We've been super-busy at the Outer Space Institute!

Reposting this for folks on the West Coast.

The International Court of Justice’s statement on fossil fuels puts Carney in a tough spot An advisory opinion on responsibility for emissions means that Canada could be on the hook for major climate-change-related damages in the years ahead

"Two now-clear risks – large compensation payments and a wave of court cases – have changed the parameters of viable public and corporate policy overnight."

My latest, as a gift article:

No Proof Hamas Routinely Stole U.N. Aid, Israeli Military Officials Say

"U.N. aid delivery system, which Israel derided and undermined, was largely effective in providing food to Gaza’s desperate and hungry population."

A Chinese research vessel returns to Arctic waters — and it appears Canada is watching | CBC News The Canadian military and possibly the coast guard appear to have been keeping tabs on a Chinese research vessel as it returns to Arctic waters off Alaska for the second year in a row.

"Relations with China continue to be strained and Byers said statements that are 'potentially escalatory' about what the Chinese are — and are not — doing in the Arctic need to be examined carefully."

Jon Stewart slams CBS for decision to cancel ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ | CNN Business Jon Stewart pulled no punches Monday over CBS’s cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s late-night show.

“If you believe, as corporations or as networks, you can make yourself so innocuous, that you can serve a gruel so flavourless, that you will never again be on the boy king's radar … you are fucking wrong."

www.cnn.com/2025/07/22/m...

Inside Elon Musk’s plan to rain SpaceX’s rocket debris over Hawaii’s pristine waters Texas has long been under threat from the launches and explosions of SpaceX rockets. Now Hawaii is emerging as another possible victim

“Earth is not a sacrifice zone for Elon Musk’s ego trip to Mars”. - Lynda Williams

Voting age to be lowered to 16 in UK by next general election 16- and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in all elections as part of changes including easier voter registration and crackdown on foreign interference

The UK is allowing voting from the age of 16.

Canada should do likewise.

It's not as if old folks have been doing a great job running our countries, let alone the planet.

Donald Trump wants the Nobel Peace Prize, but what are his chances? His record shows the U.S. President is undeserving of the accolade

"Nobody has ever campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize like Donald J. Trump, and seeing his naked ambition, sycophants everywhere are rushing to nominate him."
My latest, as a gift article:

Donald Trump wants the Nobel Peace Prize, but what are his chances? His record shows the U.S. President is undeserving of the accolade

"Nobody has ever campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize like Donald J. Trump, and seeing his naked ambition, sycophants everywhere are rushing to nominate him."
My latest, as a gift article:

Wieder in Deutschland!

"You will never be disappointed by the United States of America" - Donald Trump, in a letter to Mark Carney yesterday.

Wanna bet?

Tony Blair’s staff took part in ‘Gaza Riviera’ project with BCG Former UK prime minister’s institute participated in meetings on plan to turn shattered enclave into trading hub

Tony Blair and Boston Consulting Group: Vultures over carrion.

Channelling my inner Prussian during a workshop at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

Canada races to build icebreakers amid melting ice and geopolitical tensions In an Arctic reshaped by the climate crisis, less ice really means more as countries face risks in push for more ships

“[P]oliticians and pundits often escalate the concern: ‘Oh my God, the Russians are coming,’ or ‘The Chinese are coming.’ I see no evidence of that. The Russians already own half of the Arctic. They don’t need any more.”

With Space Junk on the Rise, Is a Catastrophic Event Inevitable? Debris from rockets and satellites can fall back to Earth or collide with other objects, and wreckage that burns up can harm the ozone layer

“There’s a role here for national governments to perhaps require controlled re-entries or, at a minimum, to only contract for launches that include controlled re-entries.”

Beatriz Soeiro, the Outer Space Institute's Research Coordinator, read a statement - on the need for a broad interpretation of the duty to assist persons in distress - at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space this week.

Meanwhile, I did my best to look serious.

Federal infrastructure bank provided $1-billion in loans for BC Ferries to buy Chinese-made ships Political leaders distance themselves from the deal, calling for support of domestic manufacturers

Everyone looks bad here, including federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland who sharply criticized the purchase.

'Daddy has to sometimes use strong language': Nato chief on Trump's Israel-Iran outburst – video 'Daddy has to sometimes use strong language', Nato chief says of Trump's Israel-Iran comment

NATO Chief Mark Rutte claims he didn't mean to call Trump "daddy".
I met him at NATO in February. He will say anything to ingratiate himself with the gangster regime.
What a contrast with the clear messaging coming from the EU and Mark Carney on a new direction.
www.theguardian.com/world/video/...

Strike Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months, U.S. Report Says

"Defense Intelligence Agency report indicates that the sites were not damaged as much as some administration officials had hoped, and that Iran retains control of almost all of its nuclear material, meaning if it decides to make a nuclear weapon it might still be able to do so relatively quickly."

Thanks to everyone who came out to the #saltspringforum for my book Chasing Shadows, and thanks especially to the amazing Professor Lucy Suchman for moderating and @michael-byers.bsky.social‬ for hosting

Great event, great discussion!

Trump "blatantly violated international law."
My discussion with Stephen Quinn this morning:

The Case for Building BC Ferries in China | The Tyee While politicians posture, they aren’t coming up with cash to build in Canada.

I'd like to see an article about the case for building BC ferries in a democratic country. South Korea leaps to mind. @thetyee.ca

U.S. air strikes on Iran did not break international law, NATO’s Rutte says The alliance’s top civilian official made the remarks Monday ahead of a summit, adding that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons

NATO's Secretary General should have listened to his lawyers, because I can't imagine them telling him this.

'There Is No Intel': Trump's Attacks on Iran Were Based on Vibes, Sources Say Trump’s decision to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities was not based on new intelligence, administration officials say.

No imminent threat = crime of aggression.

For a toddler with a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail.

Israeli defence minister says he ordered attacks on Iran to ‘undermine regime’ Israel Katz officially acknowledges goal of war, as Iranian missile hits hospital and Israel strikes nuclear site

Israel is no longer relying on a claim of self-defence.
This is aggression -- a war crime.

Thanks for all the posts: truly excellent reporting!