Since its inception in 1949, Canada has played an integral role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its numerous military and non-military engagements. As a founding member, Canada’s involvement over the past 70 years has varied from troop deployment and training in Europe during much of the Cold War, to activity abroad in places like Afghanistan and Libya. The articles in the NATO and Canada program examine NATO’s operational history and Canada’s role from a multitude of perspectives. The NATO Association of Canada aims to supply Canadians with a greater insight into the inner workings of this long-standing alliance and its Canadian contributions.
It has been a busy year for policymakers and strategic thinkers in Canada. Confronting Russian aggression in Europe, balancing the Chinese and Indian relationships, and isolating the Russian economy has proven to be difficult. Domestic unrest due to supply-chain disruptions and exorbitant energy and fuel cost increases has proven to be equally challenging in many Read More…
Warming climates, emerging natural resources, and intensifying geopolitical threats have made the Arctic an area of great political tension, but Canada does not yet have a strategy to deal with these challenges. Can the country afford to lag behind other Arctic and “Near-Arctic” states in planning for the future of its security?
The British historian Eric Hobsbawm once argued that the nineteenth century had three fundamental periods of change: the “Age of Revolution,” “Age of Capital,” and the “Age of Empire,” which subsequently formed the titles for his magisterial history of that century. His further look at the twentieth century was neatly summarized as the “Age of Read More…
As a group of thirty nations, NATO militaries are required to standardize their ammunition, logistics, tactics, and ranks to make it easier to operate as a whole. In actual combat conditions, a multinational coalition of soldiers might suddenly need to operate equipment from another member state’s military, and standardizing equipment ensures their ability to keep Read More…
I had the privilege to interview Professor Aaron Ettinger of Carleton University about Canada’s role in NATO and how Canadian foreign policy shapes the nation’s commitment with the organization. Overall, I asked, is Canada really making a difference? Professor Ettinger specializes in International Relations and US foreign policy. His research focuses on continuity and change Read More…
In 2019, the federal government selected the replacement for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) aging Halifax-class frigates and Iroquois-class destroyers: the fifteen new Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) will be a modified British frigate designed to operate as an anti-air or anti-submarine platform in coastal waters and the open ocean. In concert with the four Victoria-class Read More…
A potential Russian nuclear detonation in Ukraine would change the face of that conflict. How might NATO choose to respond?
Canada has often faced calls to contribute more to NATO in the past; focusing on the Arctic theatre offers it a way to do just that.
By: Julie Lindhout It was a sad day for Canada when the Honourable Bill Graham retired from elected politics although he continued to contribute in other ways. It was an even sadder day on Monday when he passed away and his wise counsel has been silenced, although there is still good advice to be found Read More…
How much do you know about the Arctic? In this infographic Kate Todd shares what countriesare Arctic states, where the Arctic is, who lives in the Arctic, which industries are active there, ifthere are institutions focused on Arctic issues, and what the threats are to the Arctic. Download here to view full infographic: Did you Read More…