Which comes first, racism or the systemic need for racism?

In all the reams of printed and digital discussion about Donald Trump's (attempted) ban on Muslims from seven countries, the murder of six worshippers at a Quebec City mosque and Islamophobia in general, few commentators have mentioned the economic roots of racism.

But the truth is ideas have always been needed to justify treating other people badly in the competition for wealth and power. As long as there have been battles over resources people have objectified and demeaned the Other to provide ideological cover and to motivate their side to victory.

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The fact that foreign minister Stéphane Dion chose to sit down with the editorial board of one of Canada's largest newspapers on Monday to discuss the controversial $15-billion arms deal between Saudi Arabia and Canada is as encouraging as it is revealing.

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International Women's Day, March 8, is different in Jordan. It's a country surrounded by the region's conflicts and instabilities, but yet is a safe haven for those fleeing wars and deteriorating situations in Iraq and Syria. The current crisis adds demands and considerations regarding women's rights that are different from other countries in the world.