The Varsity

Whether you’re politically on the left, right, or somewhere in between, it’s hard to look at the future of foreign affairs with much optimism.

There doesn’t seem to be any possible scenario in which the European Union can maintain the high currency value of the Euro across all the its member states. Countries like Greece have barley managed to keep afloat through massive amounts inflation, but it is becoming glaringly obvious that this strategy can’t sustain the EU much longer.

In the United States, a national debt of sixteen trillion dollars and an unemployment rate of eight per cent leave little room for optimism. Even the outcome of the presidential election seems almost irrelevant at this point. Couple this with a possible civil war in Afghanistan, violence in Syria, and North Korea talking about “thermonuclear war,” and its probably safe to say that international foreign affairs has some tough times ahead.

But fear not my fellow Canadians! While the big bad wolf of foreign affairs blows down the American house of sticks and the European house of straw, we will be safe and sound.

Our economic problems while not unimportant, pale by comparison with the severity of the issues in the EU and US. In foreign affairs, while Harper might kick up some dust once in a while with Iran, Canada is for the most part internationally liked and respected.

Domestically, our biggest conflicts come from a small and tired separatist movement in Quebec, and the odd student protest. While both deserve consideration, and while we should work together towards the best solution, neither is a cause for any real concern.

Another possible cause for concern Canada is the global recession. However, with Alberta leading the way, the Canadian economy has continued to grow and will likely emerge from the recession relatively unscathed in comparison to other western countries.

So as the big bad wolf of foreign affairs blows down the houses of the majority of the Western world, Canada can feel safe knowing that our brick house can withstand the storm. Even though we have our day-to-day problems, its important to step back once in a while and be thankful that we live in Canada.