Colleagues, I now call the meeting back to order. If you could take your seats, I will assume everybody is where they are supposed to be.
With us this hour by video conference is Dr. Ahmed Al-Rawi, assistant professor, Simon Fraser University. I would also like to welcome Dr. Alexander Cooley, Claire Tow professor of political science, Bernard College, and academy adjunct faculty at Chatham House; and Dr. David Perry, president, Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
There will be up to five minutes for opening remarks from our guests, after which we will have two rounds of questions. I'll begin by inviting Dr. Al-Rawi to make an opening statement of up to five minutes.
Sir, the floor is yours.