Eric Van Rythoven
@ericvanr.bsky.social
Writing and teaching on security, diplomacy, and emotion in global politics.
Re-upping for the morning crowd
I wrote on why Canada's reaction to the Grok controversy X is so weak compared to other countries. 1/
theconversation.com/why-canadas-...
theconversation.com/why-canadas-...
Why Canada’s reaction to the Grok scandal is so muted in the midst of a global outcry
Governments around the world are clamping down on Grok’s production of nonconsensual sexual images. Why does Canada seem to be missing in action?
theconversation.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Re-upping for the morning crowd
Reposted by Eric Van Rythoven
“There are compelling reasons, then, for why Canada has been slow to act amid the global backlash to Grok. But are these good reasons? No.”
@ericvanr.bsky.social nails it.
@ericvanr.bsky.social nails it.
I wrote on why Canada's reaction to the Grok controversy X is so weak compared to other countries. 1/
theconversation.com/why-canadas-...
theconversation.com/why-canadas-...
Why Canada’s reaction to the Grok scandal is so muted in the midst of a global outcry
Governments around the world are clamping down on Grok’s production of nonconsensual sexual images. Why does Canada seem to be missing in action?
theconversation.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:02 PM
“There are compelling reasons, then, for why Canada has been slow to act amid the global backlash to Grok. But are these good reasons? No.”
@ericvanr.bsky.social nails it.
@ericvanr.bsky.social nails it.
Finally, Canadian conservatives need to decide whether they want to placate the small number of Musk supporters in their party, or risk alienating the much larger pool of voters who see these images as vile. end/
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Finally, Canadian conservatives need to decide whether they want to placate the small number of Musk supporters in their party, or risk alienating the much larger pool of voters who see these images as vile. end/
Canadian elites also overestimate the importance of staying on X. Canadian users are declining, it doesn't have anywhere near the influence it used to, and it poses serious reputational risks 9/
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Canadian elites also overestimate the importance of staying on X. Canadian users are declining, it doesn't have anywhere near the influence it used to, and it poses serious reputational risks 9/
I argue that while these may be reasons for inaction, they are not good reasons.
Canadians officials are likely overestimating the Trump admin's ability to retaliate here. Doing so would make them de facto defenders of nonconsensual sexual images and CSAM 8/
Canadians officials are likely overestimating the Trump admin's ability to retaliate here. Doing so would make them de facto defenders of nonconsensual sexual images and CSAM 8/
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
I argue that while these may be reasons for inaction, they are not good reasons.
Canadians officials are likely overestimating the Trump admin's ability to retaliate here. Doing so would make them de facto defenders of nonconsensual sexual images and CSAM 8/
Canadians officials are likely overestimating the Trump admin's ability to retaliate here. Doing so would make them de facto defenders of nonconsensual sexual images and CSAM 8/
Finally, the Grok controversy poses a major problem for Canada's conservatives.
On the one hand, they want to be the champions of victim's rights and fight deepfake sexual images. On the other, X is very important to Conservative politics and any criticism of Musk risks opening a schism 7/
On the one hand, they want to be the champions of victim's rights and fight deepfake sexual images. On the other, X is very important to Conservative politics and any criticism of Musk risks opening a schism 7/
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Finally, the Grok controversy poses a major problem for Canada's conservatives.
On the one hand, they want to be the champions of victim's rights and fight deepfake sexual images. On the other, X is very important to Conservative politics and any criticism of Musk risks opening a schism 7/
On the one hand, they want to be the champions of victim's rights and fight deepfake sexual images. On the other, X is very important to Conservative politics and any criticism of Musk risks opening a schism 7/
The second reason is that most Canadian elites still see value in staying on X. They see it as useful and want to stay.
Criticizing X while still staying on the platform risks looking insincere. 6/
Criticizing X while still staying on the platform risks looking insincere. 6/
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
The second reason is that most Canadian elites still see value in staying on X. They see it as useful and want to stay.
Criticizing X while still staying on the platform risks looking insincere. 6/
Criticizing X while still staying on the platform risks looking insincere. 6/
Why such a tepid response? I point to three reasons.
The first is the threat of American retaliation. Trump officials have repeatedly threatened anyone who regulates American big tech. With the ongoing trade war, Canadian officials are walking on egg shells. 5/
The first is the threat of American retaliation. Trump officials have repeatedly threatened anyone who regulates American big tech. With the ongoing trade war, Canadian officials are walking on egg shells. 5/
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Why such a tepid response? I point to three reasons.
The first is the threat of American retaliation. Trump officials have repeatedly threatened anyone who regulates American big tech. With the ongoing trade war, Canadian officials are walking on egg shells. 5/
The first is the threat of American retaliation. Trump officials have repeatedly threatened anyone who regulates American big tech. With the ongoing trade war, Canadian officials are walking on egg shells. 5/
Contrast this with Canada's response. The Government's AI Minister (Evan Solomon) issued a tepid statement about protecting women and children, and pointed to future legislation.
No mention of Grok, X, or Musk. No commitment to investigations, hearings, or anything else. 4/
No mention of Grok, X, or Musk. No commitment to investigations, hearings, or anything else. 4/
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Contrast this with Canada's response. The Government's AI Minister (Evan Solomon) issued a tepid statement about protecting women and children, and pointed to future legislation.
No mention of Grok, X, or Musk. No commitment to investigations, hearings, or anything else. 4/
No mention of Grok, X, or Musk. No commitment to investigations, hearings, or anything else. 4/
Governments around the world have jumped into action. Most are launching investigations, some are threatening fines, others are contemplating banning X. 3/
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99kn52nx9do
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99kn52nx9do
X could face ban in UK over deepfakes, minister says
It comes after government urged Ofcom to use all its powers – up to and including an effective ban – against X.
bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Governments around the world have jumped into action. Most are launching investigations, some are threatening fines, others are contemplating banning X. 3/
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99kn52nx9do
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99kn52nx9do
Grok has help make X a global hub for deepfake, nonconsensual sexual images. Some images involve children. Some involve violence. 2/
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
‘Add blood, forced smile’: how Grok’s nudification tool went viral
The ‘put her in a bikini’ trend rapidly evolved into hundreds of thousands of requests to strip clothes from photos of women, horrifying those targeted
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Grok has help make X a global hub for deepfake, nonconsensual sexual images. Some images involve children. Some involve violence. 2/
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
I wrote on why Canada's reaction to the Grok controversy X is so weak compared to other countries. 1/
theconversation.com/why-canadas-...
theconversation.com/why-canadas-...
Why Canada’s reaction to the Grok scandal is so muted in the midst of a global outcry
Governments around the world are clamping down on Grok’s production of nonconsensual sexual images. Why does Canada seem to be missing in action?
theconversation.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
I wrote on why Canada's reaction to the Grok controversy X is so weak compared to other countries. 1/
theconversation.com/why-canadas-...
theconversation.com/why-canadas-...
Reposted by Eric Van Rythoven
Statement from MP Will Greaves on X/Twitter (I know, I know, not popular on here)
January 13, 2026 at 3:39 AM
Statement from MP Will Greaves on X/Twitter (I know, I know, not popular on here)
I know everyone is laughing at how quickly Trump turned on ExxonMobil, but it's also a powerful illustration of why the Trump admin is so bad for business.
You can never say or do anything that appears to challenge the leader. You are walking eggshells the entire time...
You can never say or do anything that appears to challenge the leader. You are walking eggshells the entire time...
January 12, 2026 at 12:04 PM
I know everyone is laughing at how quickly Trump turned on ExxonMobil, but it's also a powerful illustration of why the Trump admin is so bad for business.
You can never say or do anything that appears to challenge the leader. You are walking eggshells the entire time...
You can never say or do anything that appears to challenge the leader. You are walking eggshells the entire time...
Once again, now would be a good time for Canadian officials to issue a full-throated condemnation of their most favoured social media platform.
In one of the most appalling developments of past day, Elon Musk's AI chatbot desecrated Renee Nicole Good's body. That's in addition to harassing women and sexually exploiting minors. By @katieherchenroeder.bsky.social
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Grok deepfaked Renee Nicole Good's body into a bikini
Hours after an ICE agent killed the mother of three, Elon Musk’s chatbot was undressing her.
www.motherjones.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Once again, now would be a good time for Canadian officials to issue a full-throated condemnation of their most favoured social media platform.
Also, if you are part of a party that supported the Iraq War, 10+ years of Afghanistan, Libya, Brexit, Trump 1, and then Trump 2, I would say now is a period for thoughtful reflection and re-examination of your foreign policy priors.
January 8, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Also, if you are part of a party that supported the Iraq War, 10+ years of Afghanistan, Libya, Brexit, Trump 1, and then Trump 2, I would say now is a period for thoughtful reflection and re-examination of your foreign policy priors.
Not a big fan of 'history repeats itself' trope, but the convergence between Poilievre cheering on Trump in 2025 and Harper cheering on Bush in 2023 (both while serving as Conservative opposition leaders) is a bit jarring.
January 8, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Not a big fan of 'history repeats itself' trope, but the convergence between Poilievre cheering on Trump in 2025 and Harper cheering on Bush in 2023 (both while serving as Conservative opposition leaders) is a bit jarring.
It is a bit problematic that the Canadian government's #1 communications tool is a cesspool of AI deepfake porn and Nazi imagery.
BREAKING: X’s chatbot Grok isn’t just making AI porn deepfakes, it’s now making Nazi AI porn deepfakes, undressing women and showing them wearing “swastika bikinis”. Many of these women are Jewish, including a recently deceased Holocaust survivor.
Elon Musk’s “Grok” is undressing women and showing them in swastika bikinis
One woman targeted is a Jewish Holocaust survivor
decoherence.media
January 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM
It is a bit problematic that the Canadian government's #1 communications tool is a cesspool of AI deepfake porn and Nazi imagery.
I actually have a pet theory that most countries have tended to look past America's transgressive behaviour because it provided important public goods (e.g. trade and security).
Take away those things and people are probably far more open to seeing America as having a stigmatized identity.
Take away those things and people are probably far more open to seeing America as having a stigmatized identity.
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2017/02/keep...
Putting up this article from 2017 by @drfarls.bsky.social because I don’t think even liberal Americans realize how much the international balance of power is based on other countries tolerating our shit.
Putting up this article from 2017 by @drfarls.bsky.social because I don’t think even liberal Americans realize how much the international balance of power is based on other countries tolerating our shit.
Keep Mexico Weird! - Lawyers, Guns & Money
A few brief thoughts on Mexico, and especially misperceptions of Mexico that seem common in the United States, but that particularly appear to animate Trump’s thinking. Nothing staggering here. Mexic...
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:09 PM
I actually have a pet theory that most countries have tended to look past America's transgressive behaviour because it provided important public goods (e.g. trade and security).
Take away those things and people are probably far more open to seeing America as having a stigmatized identity.
Take away those things and people are probably far more open to seeing America as having a stigmatized identity.
I get this, it's a colossal mistake, the status quo is cheaper, etc.
But that would make the United States a 'partner', and in no uncertain terms does the Trump administration want to be a 'partner' because that implies a relationship among equals.
Dominant parties do not have, or need, partners.
But that would make the United States a 'partner', and in no uncertain terms does the Trump administration want to be a 'partner' because that implies a relationship among equals.
Dominant parties do not have, or need, partners.
What is just crazy about this, aside from the need for this statement at all, is that Greenland already IS in the US sphere of influence. It's far cheaper for the US, in material, security, and reputational terms, to have Denmark continue administering Greenland and work within NATO on security.
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
January 6, 2026 at 2:27 PM
I get this, it's a colossal mistake, the status quo is cheaper, etc.
But that would make the United States a 'partner', and in no uncertain terms does the Trump administration want to be a 'partner' because that implies a relationship among equals.
Dominant parties do not have, or need, partners.
But that would make the United States a 'partner', and in no uncertain terms does the Trump administration want to be a 'partner' because that implies a relationship among equals.
Dominant parties do not have, or need, partners.
Reposted by Eric Van Rythoven
I’m truly excited to share that The Oxford Handbook of Emotions in International Relations, co-edited with Andrew Ross , is finally out in the world. lnkd.in/dZYNS2Jb
This project has been a journey: full of ideas, conversations, challenges, and inspiration.I’m deeply grateful to all contributors.
This project has been a journey: full of ideas, conversations, challenges, and inspiration.I’m deeply grateful to all contributors.
December 31, 2025 at 7:37 AM
I’m truly excited to share that The Oxford Handbook of Emotions in International Relations, co-edited with Andrew Ross , is finally out in the world. lnkd.in/dZYNS2Jb
This project has been a journey: full of ideas, conversations, challenges, and inspiration.I’m deeply grateful to all contributors.
This project has been a journey: full of ideas, conversations, challenges, and inspiration.I’m deeply grateful to all contributors.
This is very much the vibe in Canada right now.
Tell Bari. We want her to know it was Canada. 🇨🇦
"‘60 Minutes’ story shelved by Bari Weiss streamed in Canada — and instantly spread across the web." www.cnn.com/2025/12/22/m...
"‘60 Minutes’ story shelved by Bari Weiss streamed in Canada — and instantly spread across the web." www.cnn.com/2025/12/22/m...
December 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This is very much the vibe in Canada right now.
Interesting reporting.
Makes me think about how much time different governments spend on simply not offending an incredibly thin-skinned U.S. government.
Makes me think about how much time different governments spend on simply not offending an incredibly thin-skinned U.S. government.
NEW: Former UN ambassador Bob Rae said he had his “wings clipped” for posting a tweet defending ICC judges in the face of sanctions imposed by the USA.
Records show a Canadian diplomat based in Washington contacted Rae minutes after he posted the tweet. www.readthemaple.com/bob-rae-had-...
Records show a Canadian diplomat based in Washington contacted Rae minutes after he posted the tweet. www.readthemaple.com/bob-rae-had-...
Bob Rae Had ‘Wings Clipped’ For Defending International Criminal Court
A Canadian diplomat based in Washington contacted Rae minutes after he posted a tweet defending the ICC.
www.readthemaple.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Interesting reporting.
Makes me think about how much time different governments spend on simply not offending an incredibly thin-skinned U.S. government.
Makes me think about how much time different governments spend on simply not offending an incredibly thin-skinned U.S. government.
I touched on these issues last year when I wrote about the international politics of Musk's X.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
After Twitter: aesthetic insecurity and the future of digital diplomacy - Journal of International Relations and Development
What happens to digital diplomacy after Twitter? Elon Musk’s purchase and controversial transformation of Twitter raises questions about the platform’s future for digital diplomacy. This article argue...
link.springer.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I touched on these issues last year when I wrote about the international politics of Musk's X.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...