Library U

The civil war in Sudan, which broke out in 2023, constitutes one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, with civilians overwhelmingly bearing the consequences of the violence. Total death estimates range between 150,000 to 400,000, with up to 14 million people driven from their homes and approximately 33.7 million needing urgent humanitarian care. Despite the magnitude of the atrocities committed, the conflict remains insufficiently known and inadequately covered by international media.

Tom Gardner, the Africa reporter for The Economist, will join Library U via Zoom to share his experiences covering the conflict and explain why dynamics in the region caused by the U.S. conflict with Iran plus new developments on the battlefield might provide a rare opportunity for mediators to press for peace if the rest of the world would pay attention.

Tom Gardner is an Africa correspondent for The Economist, based in Nairobi. He has covered the region for the best part of a decade, much of it based in Addis Ababa before and during the 2020-22 Tigray war. His reporting and analysis on Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa has been published in a number of other publications, including The Guardian, Foreign Policy, and The Atlantic. His first book, "The Abiy Project: God, Power and War in the New Ethiopia," was published in 2024.

Suggested pre-program viewing: Sudan War, Explained. Al Jazeera. 2024. 12 minutes.�

The late Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once described Canada's relationship with its southern neighbor as like sleeping with an elephant. "No matter how friendly and even-tempered may be the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt." Today, Canada-U.S. relations have plunged into their worst crisis in modern history amid an escalating trade war, retaliatory tariffs, and annexation rhetoric from the U.S. President.

As explained recently in The Economist, Canadians happily danced to the tune of the American consumer for decades. For the last 18 months, Mr. Trump has tried to force them into a torturous jig. Canadians understand that they have to keep dancing, but that it is time for a more European beat. Now they're dancing a waltz.

Bainbridge Islanders are invited to discuss the situation with Craig Weichel, Consul General of Canada. Bring your questions, concerns, and ideas!

Craig Weichel. As Canada's Consul General to the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, Mr. Weichel is responsible for strengthening trade and economic ties; enhancing political, academic and cultural links; and assisting Canadians visiting or living in those four states.

Prior to his arrival in Seattle, Mr. Weichel headed the Environment and Energy program at Canada's Embassy to the United States in Washington, DC (2019 to 2024). He has also served abroad at Canada's Embassy in Rome, Italy (2009 to 2013); at the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna, Austria (2002 to 2005); at Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (2000); as Director of the North Korea Task Force (2018 to 2019); and the Civilian Security Policy and Natural Disaster Response Division (2016 to 2018).