In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Canada has rolled out a slew of measures to defend NATO’s eastern flank. This article summarizes and critically analyzes these recent trends in Canadian defence and foreign policy.
NATO and Canada
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.
A Fragile Balance in the Mediterranean
Russia has long sought a presence in the Mediterranean, and thanks to its intervention in Syria, it now has one. But can it challenge NATO and its dominance? Not yet, says Elliott Simpson, but as tensions mount elsewhere, NATO should remain vigilant.
Democracy Battles Back: Inside Canada’s Mission to the Baltics with Ambassador Kevin Rex
Canada’s contribution to the enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia began in 2017 and has since become a significant part of NATO’s security architecture in Eastern Europe. In this article, Jack Burnham sits down with Kevin Rex, Canada’s ambassador to the Baltics, to discuss his career, the eFP, and Canada’s relationships with Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
From Security to State-Building: NATO’s Role in the Afghanistan Crisis
In this article, Danna Houssian explores the precedent for NATO’s possible role in the Afghanistan crisis and the politics of NATO involvement in non-member state affairs.
The eFP and Russian Deterrence: From a Common Enemy to a Common Goal
How does NATO work to ensure deterrence? In this paper, Danna Houssian outlines the importance of Canada’s military presence in Latvia to discourage Russian aggression.
Looking towards a European Army: A once impossible idea becomes a growing necessity
Why and how should the EU take back control of its own defence? In this article, Mathias Avezou explains why European security can no longer depend on the US, and what the first steps towards an EU army could look like.
Language Lessons: Fate of Afghan Interpreters Exposes Gaps in Canadian Armed Forces Training and Recruitment
During operations in Afghanistan, mustering enough qualified linguists proved a constant challenge for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). These difficulties point to larger problems with how the CAF—and Canada—approach strategic languages.
A History of NATO – Infographic
As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Atlantic Charter on August 14th, 2021, Eric Jackson highlights key historical events that have shaped NATO’s purpose.
NATO’s Viceroy: The Commander-in-Chief’s Interview with David Lloyd Johnston
A bilingual discussion on the Constitution, national security and foreign policy with The Rt. Hon. David Johnston, the 28th Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada.
Intersectionality and Lived Experience in the CAF: The Role of Identity in Institutional Legitimacy
Intersectionality and lived experience, though standard concepts within many policy areas, has been largely absent from military diversity and inclusivity initiatives. In this article, Caleigh Wong explores the Canadian Armed Forces’ current leadership crisis through this lens to understand how a broader understanding of identity may help inform long-overdue institutional reform.