The Heads of State and Government of all NATO member nations met last week in Lisbon, Portugal, along with those of partner nations to discuss a myriad of issues, including missile defense, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Russia-NATO relations and the Alliance’s new Strategic Concept. The Strategic Concept was perhaps the most defining aspect Read More…
5. Authors of the NCC
A list of authors, past and present
NCC Fall Conference Tackles Cybersecurity
On November 17, the NATO Council of Canada (NCC) hosted its annual Fall Conference in Ottawa. This well-timed conference, titled Cybersecurity: The Big Challenge, brought together distinguished academics, policymakers and members of the Canadian Forces with the goal of shedding light on one of the most pressing yet little-understood issues facing the international security environment. Read More…
A Sign of the Times: Britain’s Strategic Defence Review in an era of Austerity
On October 19, the United Kingdom unveiled its Strategic Defence Review – the first such review since 1998 – outlining much anticipated cuts to the British military and defence budget. As a means of reducing Britain’s mounting budget deficit, the Treasury Department recommended a 10% reduction in British military spending over the next four years. Read More…
Macedonian Minister of Defence visits NCC
On October 8, the NATO Council of Canada had the honour of welcoming the Hon. Zoran Konjanovski, Minister of Defence for the Republic of Macedonia, and his delegation to the NCC to discuss Macedonia’s security interests and prospective membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Following formal greetings, Mr. Konjanovski began the discussion by asserting Read More…
Bosnia’s Elections: A Storm on the Horizon?
On October 3, Bosnia-Herzegovina held general elections to select representatives at the cantonal, regional and federal levels. Although Bosnia’s civil war ended 15 years ago with the signing of the Dayton Accord, the results of this election indicate that ethnic rivalries continue to linger. With a population of 4.6 million, Bosnia is demographically divided between Read More…
The Runaway General Retires
General Stanley McChrystal went gently into that good night Friday, retiring after 30-plus years of military service. There was no ticker-tape parade for McChrystal, who at one time looked to be heading for military and public stardom for his handling of the Afghan war. What occurred instead was a somber ceremony at Ft. McNair, Washington, Read More…
Joint Strike Fighter to replace the Hornet
The next generation of Canadian fighter jets is scheduled to begin arriving in 2016. Canada will be purchasing 65 F-35 Lightning II jets, better known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), from Lockheed Martin to replace Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18 Hornet’s, which are expected to be put out of service by 2020. “The F-35 Read More…
A Test for Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan
On Sunday ISAF forces operating alongside US Marines and Afghan troops began a much-anticipated military push in southern Helmand province. Operation Moshtarak is focused on the lawless area of Marjah, which serves as a major base for insurgent activity and drug trafficking. The launching of this offensive is part of the larger American military surge in Afghanistan and marks the largest joint operation by allied forces since the 2001 invasion.