In an era where daily headlines often fuel despair, finding sources of genuine hope can feel like a monumental task. The political landscape, particularly the counter-revolution against the post-war liberal order led by figures like Donald Trump, frequently inspires feelings of dread and dislocation.
A World in Disarray: The Sources of Modern Anxiety
The actions of the former U.S. president, including moves to override judicial systems, weaken legislative bodies, and attack foundational concepts of human rights and international law, have created a profound sense of unease. This sentiment was echoed by New York Times columnist Bret Stephens in late December 2025, following a spiteful social media post by Trump about the late film director Rob Reiner. Stephens lamented the debasement of national standards and the barbarization of public manners, questioning if recovery was possible.
The global threats are not abstract. In early 2025, Trump's comments regarding the acquisition of Greenland, including a refusal to rule out the use of force against NATO ally Denmark, sent shockwaves through international diplomatic circles. The Danish Defence Intelligence Service's annual threat assessment took the matter seriously, noting that the U.S. under that administration no longer ruled out employing military force against its allies. This raised the unprecedented and chilling prospect of a NATO member potentially invoking Article Five for collective defense against the United States itself.
The Antidote to Despair: The Life and Work of Irwin Cotler
Amid this backdrop of ethical and political turmoil, the story of Irwin Cotler emerges as a powerful antidote. The former Canadian justice minister and four-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee represents the very personification of moral regeneration. As journalist John Ivison discovered while working on a forthcoming biography, engaging with Cotler's legacy has been a balm for mental health, offering a stark contrast to the prevailing climate of rot.
Cotler, whom his wife Ariela describes as "a man who carries the world on his shoulders," has dedicated his life to pushing beyond physical limits in pursuit of justice. In Parliament in December 2013, Cotler himself called Nelson Mandela "a metaphor of hope," a description that now perfectly fits Cotler's own enduring legacy.
The Guiding Principle: Tikkun Olam
Cotler's unwavering moral compass was set early in life, guided by teachings from his father rooted in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). Central to his worldview is the Jewish principle of Tikkun Olam – the concept of repairing a broken world. This philosophy holds that while no single person is obligated to complete the work of healing global hurts, no one is free to neglect their part in it. This driving conviction, that bullies cannot be allowed to win, has been the inner motor for Cotler's decades of advocacy for prisoners of conscience and victims of discrimination worldwide.
In these dark days, as Ivison argues, looking to figures like Irwin Cotler is not an act of nostalgia but a necessary exercise in moral navigation. His life stands as a testament to the power of individual conviction and action in the face of overwhelming global challenges, reminding us that the work of repair, though immense, is both essential and possible.
