Seven days that changed our world

It was a week like few others for Canada as the country mourned the death of 57 of its citizens killed by being caught in the middle of growing hostilities between Iran and the United States. And if that wasn't enough, Vladimir Putin made a move to become Russia's leader for life, while infighting broke out between Democrats vying to defeat Donald Trump. It's a cold weekend everywhere in Canada, so stay inside, keep warm and read these great examples of explanatory journalism from The Conversation.

Have a great weekend and we'll be back in your Inbox on Monday.

Scott White

Editor-in-Chief

Weekend Reads

The long history and current consequences of the Iranian-American conflict

Arne Kislenko, Ryerson University

The history of the Iran-United States relationship is complex and often brutal. Understanding it helps put today's turmoil into sharper focus.

Iran flexes its missile muscle with terrible consequences

Michael J. Armstrong, Brock University

The downing of Flight PS752 suggests Iran’s missile technology has grown increasingly sophisticated. But its ability to responsibly control that technology has not.

Canada’s non-diplomacy puts Canadians at risk in an unstable Middle East

Jeremy Wildeman, University of Bath

The downing of Flight PS752 isn't just the result of Canada being caught in U.S.-Iran crossfire. It's also the result of an unnecessarily aggressive posture of Canada's own against Iran in 2012.

Flight PS752: A deadly combination of Iran’s recklessness and incompetence

Aurel Braun, University of Toronto

Flight PS752 is more than just a terrible tragedy. It's also revealed the potential future costs of Iran's irresponsibility.

Will Flight PS752 victims be remembered differently than those killed in the Air India bombing?

Angela Failler, University of Winnipeg

When Canada's worst airline tragedy happened 35 years ago, the country had a different reaction than the national outpouring of grief for those killed when PS752 was shot down in Tehran.

Iran-U.S. crisis reminds us how culture matters in war time

Costanza Musu, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

When the loss of this heritage is used as a weapon of war, it represents a loss for the country affected as well as for humanity. It targets the memories, history and identity of a people.

Russia’s constitutional changes are designed to perpetuate power of Vladimir Putin’s elite

Richard Sakwa, University of Kent

The seven ways Vladimir Putin wants to change Russia's constitution.

Could a woman defeat Donald Trump? What political science research says

Nathaniel Swigger, The Ohio State University

Predictions about how a woman presidential candidate might fare in 2020 are largely speculation, writes a political scientist, because there isn't enough experience to base those predictions on.