Canada is facing severe challenges. As bilateral relations deteriorate and international alliances rapidly shift, Canada must reassess defence priorities. Canada needs to start by aligning with the European Union and defence preparation in the Arctic. Long seen as an afterthought, northern borders are a key battleground for resources, trade and influence. Unaddressed global warming is Read More…
Articles
Where They Stand: Canada’s Federal Political Parties Defence Platforms 2025
This special report provides an objective overview of the newly elected minority Liberal government’s plans regarding defence and discusses proposals from other opposition parties.
Serbian Gas Deal Continues Azerbaijan’s Penetration of South-East European Energy Markets
In this article, Dr. Cutler outlines the new Serbian gas deal with Azerbaijan in the context of European energy trends and policies, as well as the BRUA pipeline project.
Nothing is Foreign Here: China, Japan, and the Influence of Narratives within American Policymaking
How do stories shape domestic articulations of foreign policy? In this special report, Jack Burnham discusses how the narratives surrounding the rise of China and Japan shaped American foreign policy debates.
From the Internet to Ashes: Disinformation and the Tigray War
What does war in the Tigray region show about the future of disinformation in ethnic and regional conflicts? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the role of gas-lighting and other information warfare techniques in the Horn of Africa’s most recent outbreak of hostilities.
No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy? The Marine Corps’ New Information Warfare Strategy
How does the US Marine Corps (USMC) intend to conduct information warfare over the coming decade? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the USMC’s Force Design 2030 initiative and its focus on countering disinformation and operating in the Indo-Pacific region.
Putin’s War Has United Europe
In this article, Jordan McEwen discusses the European Union’s improved cooperation and how this may have been triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Contrary to those who maintain that Europe’s unity over Ukraine is fading, she argues that member states shared concern for their security may be allowing for better cooperation than ever before.
Did you know? 7 Facts About the Arctic Infographic
there are institutions focused on Arctic issues, and what the threats are to the Arctic.
“A Splendid Little War” Great Power Competition, Disinformation, and the Spanish-American War
What is the relationship between disinformation and great power competition? In this essay, Jack Burnham discusses the legacy of the Spanish-American War and the “yellow press” through the lens of great power politics, and its lessons for contemporary policymakers.
Like Father, Like Son? Disinformation and the Marcos’ Legacy
How did Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s son win power in the Philippines? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the country’s recent presidential election, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s victory, and the role of disinformation in Filipino politics.
Deception, Deceit, and the Dictator’s Dilemma: Russia, Iraq, and Authoritarian Propaganda
Why is the propaganda of authoritarian regimes often so blatantly false? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses Russia’s disinformation campaign surrounding the emerging global food crisis across the Middle East and Africa, Saddam Hussein’s influence operations, and the politics of dictatorship.
Fighting Familiar Wars on Foreign Shores: Disinformation, the American Right, and Uganda
How can disinformation be used to stifle human rights? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the connection between Uganda’s anti-homosexuality laws and the intervention of members of the American evangelical community.
Milgaard, the Hip, and Wrongful Conviction
Milgaard’s case highlighted the need for justice reform in Canada and abroad; his death serves to remind us that this type of reform still hasn’t happened.
House of Cards: The Suspension of the US’ Disinformation Governance Board
Why did the US Disinformation Governance Board fail? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the ill-fated US Department of Homeland Security initiative, and the implications for addressing disinformation within democracies.
Repetition or Rhyming? HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and Disinformation
Nearly forty years on and faced with another public health threat, what is the legacy of HIV/AIDS-related disinformation? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the parallels between the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 health crises and the proliferation of health-related disinformation during a time of great power competition.
NATO Needs to Act When Member States Curb LGBTQ+ Rights
Hungary frequently discriminates against minority groups, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, violating standards of human rights. In this article, Jordan McEwen and Diana Fodor discuss why NATO should intervene to address Hungary’s rollbacks of LGBTQ+ rights.
Selling Stories by the Side of the Rio Grande: Immigration, Disinformation, and US Border Policy
How effective has the US been in countering falsehoods aimed at migrants from South America? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses how disinformation contributes to immigration northwards, and the Biden administration’s response.
No Child Left Behind? Education, Disinformation, and Media Literacy Classes
Do media literacy classes offer an effective policy solution to disinformation? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the rise of media literacy classes in the US and Canada and their impact on countering the effects of deliberate falsehoods on young people.
The Impact of Increasing Political Instability on Canadian Security
A look at Canada’s rising security issues.
Honesty Truly Is the Best Policy: Public Intelligence Sharing and the Russo-Ukrainian War
How have NATO states adapted to Russia’s use of disinformation? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the West’s strategy of public intelligence sharing and its impact on the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Short Loops and Tall Tales: TikTok, Disinformation, and the New Face of War Reporting
Why has TikTok become a hub for disinformation during the Russo-Ukrainian War? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the rise of the social media platform, its influence on the information space, and how it has reshaped war reporting.
Wolf Warrior-ism, Revisited: Great Power Competition During the Russo-Ukrainian War
What lessons can Russian disinformation campaigns provide for understanding China’s “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy”? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the Russo-Ukrainian war, Chinese diplomacy, and the value of falsehoods in international relations.
Crossing the Rubicon To Reach Centre Bloc: Grievance Politics, Disinformation, and the Legacy of the “Freedom Convoy”
What threat does the “Freedom Convoy” continue to pose to Canada? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses protests in Ottawa and the role of disinformation in stoking and radicalizing grievance politics.
Another Big Bang? What Sweden’s Entry into NATO Could Mean for Countering Disinformation
What could Sweden’s entry into NATO mean for its fight against disinformation? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses NATO’s recent Madrid Summit and potential role for Sweden’s Psychological Defence Agency within the Alliance.
Rising Right-wing Extremism at Home and Abroad: A Global Perspective to Canada’s Freedom Convoy Protest
In this article, Jordan McEwen highlights the growth of right-wing extremist violence by looking at the Freedom Convoy Protest earlier this year.
Jean Chrétien Offers Up Wit and Wisdom at the NATO Association Gala.
Jean Chrétien, Canada’s twentieth prime minister, had his audience in an effervescent mood on March 15th at the Globe and Mail Centre. As the guest of honour at an event organized by the NATO Association of Canada to recognize Mr. Chrétien’s legacy in Canadian foreign affairs and his contributions to the evolution of NATO, he Read More…
NATO and the Philippines: The First Step Towards a Strategic Partnership
As tensions continue to rise in the Indo-Pacific, the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has turned his attention to realigning with the United States and allies. This shift in policy from aligning the Philippines with Beijing in 2016- to a complete pivot to Washington- has now opened up possible opportunities for the US and Read More…
Apocalypse, Radiance, and Necessary Evils: Nuclear Attitudes Across NATO
Nuclear weapons are many things. Their fearsome power provokes millenarian musings of humanity’s penchant for self-destruction. They are a great force multiplier in international relations, raising the relevance of marginal states and confirming the dominance of powerful ones. They form a key part of NATO’s strategic rationale by serving as a deterrent against aggression. Though Read More…
Special Report: The Case for Canada to Become an Allied Energy Superpower
Introduction The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced NATO to acknowledge the weaponization of energy. Electric grid coercion, gas cut-offs and cyber-intrusions into critical energy infrastructure and pipeline flow manipulation all represent core structural vulnerabilities of the European security architecture. NATO has responded by moving energy security from the periphery of its security planning Read More…
Fractures in Unity: Hungary, Slovakia, and Europe’s Energy Future
As Canada seeks to strengthen its ties with the EU, how does division in European energy policy and broader support for Ukraine affect transatlantic unity? In this article, our Junior Research Fellow Angelina Smolynec unpacks pipeline politics and explains why Hungary and Slovakia have deepened their ties with Moscow, while most of the EU has committed to phasing out Russian fuel.
From Kyiv to Taipei: Why the Russian-Ukrainian War Matters in the Indo-Pacific
Alexander Morrow and Nataliia Dikalchuk explain why Ukraine’s fight matters far beyond Europe. The war is reframing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, prompting Taiwan to prioritize self-reliant defence and pushing China to reassess Western unity. Their analysis highlights how democratic resilience in one region shapes security calculations in another.
Europe’s Land-Based Intermediate-Range Strike Capability Gap
The post-INF ground game has been moving fast in the past few months with long-term consequences for European security. Having successfully eliminated ground-launched intermediate-range missiles as a whole class of weapons from American and Russian Cold War inventories, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was a cornerstone of European security for so long that it was easy Read More…
How NATO’s Innovation Lift Could Reshape Canada’s R&D System
Innovation as strategic capital NATO members are placing increasing emphasis on science, technology and industrial capability as part of collective defence. The recent commitment by allies to move toward defence spending of 5% of GDP, including higher levels of research, development and industrial investment, reflects a recognition that technological advantage affects deterrence, economic resilience and the ability to operate in contested environments. This shift Read More…
The Philippines at a Crossroads: Domestic Politics and NATO’s Indo-Pacific Challenges
What implications does domestic Philippine politics pose for foreign policy for NATO members? In this article, Karissa Cruz highlights the broader implications posed by the Duterte-Marcos feud over foreign policy direction, what it means for NATO, and how members should perceive these tensions amidst the heightened aggression by China.
Special Report – Rural Exclusion and Right-Wing Politics: A Comparative Study of Germany and Canada
To understand the political realities of Canada and Germany today, one must begin with a map. In both countries, polarization takes shape not just in rhetoric but in the growing distance between city skylines and rural streets. Politics has been reorganized by a new geography of power, with cities now concentrating population, investment, and cultural Read More…
A Model for NATO Engagement in South Asia: Why Working with India Makes Sense for Britain
What lessons can NATO members learn from the United Kingdom and India’s growing strategic partnership? In this article, Angus MacKellar discusses how London has strengthened its relationship with New Delhi whilst avoiding broader geopolitical commitments in an increasingly fractious South Asian security environment, underlining how India’s position and interests make flexible NATO engagement both feasible and valuable.
Illuminating the Grey Zone: How NATO can help shape the Indo-Pacific’s Pre-Conflict Terrain
What role can NATO play in addressing grey zone coercion in the Indo-Pacific? In this article, Joel Sawyer explores how the Alliance can strengthen regional pre-conflict deterrence and preparedness to reduce the effectiveness of coercive grey zone operations, actions, and activities.





































