In his regular  Tuesday commentary long time foreign correspondent Brian Stewart takes us beyond the headlines to focus on what we know and what we don't know about the war in Ukraine.  Also some big news about The Bridge.

General Andrew Leslie knows what its like to be in battle.  The former Canadian Army General knows what its like to deal with the Russians too.  His thoughts on Ukraine, Putin, NATO and Canada are blunt and worth listening to.   Also our regular Monday COVID update ... it's not good.  Say hello to the new wave -- its already here.

Chantal and Bruce have their say on the new Liberal/NDP arrangement and how it impacts just about everything political in Canada.  Also, do Conservatives have to change to win, and Jason Kenney "unplugged".

The mailbag was full again this week with your thoughts mainly on Ukraine.  Some of what you had to say, highlights this week's episode.

Some critics, mainly Conservatives, say the deal between the NDP and the Liberals is a "subversion of democracy".  Just how well do they know their own country's political history?  Bruce Anderson on that with this week's Smoke, Mirrors and The Truth.  And COVID and masks -- we have the latest debate on that. 

One of the world's most celebrated historians, Margaret Macmillan, puts the Ukraine war in context -- is it already a world war?  And Brian Stewart drops by with his regular Tuesday commentary on what is missing in the coverage of the war.

We begin today, as we do every Monday, with the latest Covid update and its worrying.  Dr Jason Kindrachuk joins us from Winnipeg.  And then a short excerpt from my conversation at the University of Toronto on Friday with China expert and former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd -- could China mediate an end to the Ukraine war?

Canada's allies say we are not spending enough on defence and it shows in the support of Ukraine.  Are we and if not where will the money come from to spend more?  Bruce and Chantal with their take on that and a lot more.

Our weekly chance for you to voice your thoughts and you are not shy about the situation in Ukraine, anxiety at the dropping of restrictions on COVID, and more.

Bruce Anderson on the scene in capitals across the world, including Ottawa, where President Volodymyr Zelensky appears on monitors asking for more help and gets standing ovations instead on his main request.  Cowardice or prudence?  Plus Conservatives and Trump.