Following the recent murder of Canadian Robert Hall by Abu Sayyaf militants, Catherine Gao takes a look at ransom payments and the ethical and strategic dilemmas they create.
Cyber Security and Emerging Threats
The NAOC’s Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Program features an in-depth analysis of latest trends, developments, and threats in international security. New security concerns are always on the horizon and our program seeks to examine these domains including global warming, natural resources, drones, urban conflicts, and cyberspace.
The program’s mandate is to keep Canadians informed on these rapidly developing and increasingly pivotal realms that are integral to all aspects of security.
A Second Islamic State? The Next Chapter of the War in Syria
As Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri recently ordered the group’s Syrian affiliate – the Al Nusra front – to form an emirate, Neil Siviter analyzes how the group seeks to achieve this project and also, how a second Islamic State could influence the conflict in Syria
The Return of the German Leadership in Europe
Did Russian threat propel Germany into its traditional role? Adlan Taramov Explores how migration crisis and war in Ukraine are bringing back Europe’s old insecurities that could translate into a new period of German leadership in Europe.
NATO’s War on Terrorism
Zhikica Pagovski explores the legal mechanisms, insitutional capacities, results and challanges of NATO’s effort to counter global terrorism.
Part II Turkey: The Tangle in Europe and NATO’s Strategic Web
In part II of her series, Juliette Bronchtein discusses the implications of Turkey’s increasingly violent domestic turmoil, its terror policy and what it means for the EU-NATO-Turkey relations and the migration deal.
Friends in Low Places: North Koreans in the Syrian Civil War?
According to unconfirmed reports, North Korean soldiers have been aiding the Syrian government against opposition forces. Jeremy Paquin explains how military co-operation between the two unlikely allies has been going on for the past several decades, culminating in today’s Syrian conflict.
Turkey: The Tangle in Europe and NATO’s Strategic Web
In part I of the series, Juliette Bronchtein explores the numerous and overlapping challenges Turkey poses to NATO and to the organization’s European allies.
Resource Wars: Actors, Stakes, and What to Expect for the Coming Years
Terrorist organizations are increasingly converting to racketeering and rent-seeking, essentially disputing governments’ key role in distributing resources. Pierre-Olivier Bussieres discusses the security implications of price volatility in natural resources.
The Rise of Commercial Satellite Imaging – Implications for Defense
As space becomes more accessible, commercial aerospace and satellite imaging will continue to grow. Julia Peng discusses what these trends in aerospace mean for intelligence and defense.
More Missile Defense Systems, More Problems
Juliette Bronchtein explores the security challenges emerging from NATO’s new European missile shield. These challenges come from both Russia and Iran as the allies attempt to balance competing security concerns and interests.