Mexico is ostensibly closer to the “North Atlantic” than places like Greece, Turkey, and definitely Georgia – all current or proposed members of NATO. So why isn’t it part of the conversation when it comes to future NATO accession and expansion?
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.
Canada, NATO, and the ‘Dumbbell’ Concept
This year, NATO celebrates the 70th anniversary of its storied history – but the current multilateral structure of the alliance was not always a given. Since its 1949 inception, diplomats, politicians, and strategists have occasionally theorized a “Dumbbell” concept of NATO. What does this mean, and why did the “Dumbbell” never take shape?
Is Libya Ready for a Democracy?
Libya has experienced an ongoing political crisis since the Arab revolt and protests of 2011. The aftermath of the protests has led to a civil war, foreign military intervention backed by NATO, the ousting of the former President Muammar Gaddafi. The problems occurring in Libya can be traced back to Gaddafi’s downfall, as Libyan society Read More…
Slovakia’s New President: Hope for NATO Values?
Slovakia’s new president is an encouraging symbol for the future of NATO’s founding values of rule of law, democracy, and individual freedom in both Slovakia and the Central + Eastern European region.
No, President Trump, Brazil Cannot Join NATO
Naz Gocek examines the viability of President Trump’s proposal to make Brazil a NATO member and related impacts.
Brexit’s Impact on NATO and European Security
Naz Gocek explores what Brexit might mean for NATO and European security.
NATO Welcomes North Macedonia
Naz Gocek discusses the accession of North Macedonia to NATO and examines its geopolitical impacts
Depoliticizing Canada’s Defence Procurement Process
Willow Hillman discusses problems with the Canadian Defence Procurement process and how bipartisan agreement on small features of the process at the outset could represent the first step on a journey of a thousand miles.
Missing The Forests For Their Trees: Defence Spending In The NATO Alliance
Mainstream media fixates on the 2% of GDP benchmark for defence spending among NATO allies when it comes to determining their commitment and contribution to the alliance as a whole. Willow Hillman discussed why focusing on this specific measure distracts allies from pursuing capability-based measures of alliance contributions.
Why Operation Unifier Still Matters
Operation Unifier, both a symbol and practical tool of Ukrainian-Canadian military cooperation has been active since 2015. In this article, Isabelle Ava-Pointon argues that this mission, due to end in March 2019, should clearly be extended, due to increasing tensions in the area, upcoming election in Ukraine and a need for greater shows of solidarity and cooperation around the world.