The Indo-Pacific is the geopolitical centre of the world and combines the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean into a single region. As a strategic concept, the Indo-Pacific captures the interest of global powers like the U.S., China, India, Australia, Japan, and the UK, and tests NATO’s ability to adapt and maintain global peace in an inter-connected world. The program’s mandate is to provide Canadians with an analysis of security challenges in the region and to uncover the interplay of global powers, amidst emerging multipolarity in the region.

Indo-Pacific and NATO Scott Burns

Canada’s National Economic Security Lens: Is it aimed at China?

Canada has introduced a new “National Economic Security Lens” for foreign investment, beginning with its critical minerals sector. Scott Burns argues that this new policy is aimed at China, with the goals of “friend-shoring” and protecting the supply chain for these minerals for Canada’s future green investments.

Indo-Pacific and NATO

The Taiwan Visit: Canada moving past megaphone diplomacy for its Indo-Pacific Strategy?

In this article, Research Analyst Andrew Erskine examines the recent trip to Taiwan by an all-party Canadian delegation. Specifically, he examines whether the trip offers a new glimpse into Canadian diplomatic thinking, one that is moving past megaphone diplomacy, for the country’s forthcoming Indo-Pacific strategy.

Indo-Pacific and NATO Scott Burns

2022 Halifax International Security Forum: Unity Inspired By The Spirit of the Ukrainians

From November 18 through 20, Halifax hosted its annual International Security Forum with defence ministers and other high-level security officials from around the world. Scott Burns reports from the Forum how the topic of the war in Ukraine was discussed throughout.

Indo-Pacific and NATO Kriti Samnotra Paul Meyer

Sri Lanka: Canada’s Foothold in the Indo-Pacific?

As Sri Lanka’s economic crisis began to unfold in March, 2022, nationwide protests erupted that led to the defeat of political royalty Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the start of the Ranil Wickremesinghe-led government. The economic crisis is a result of low foreign reserves and a high current account deficit, which has left the country dependent on Read More…

Indo-Pacific and NATO Paul Meyer

SEATO: The tantalizing promise of NATO’s forgotten counterpart in the Indo-Pacific

            June 30th, 1977, Bangkok, Thailand. After 23 years of operations the South-East Asian Treaty Organization, or SEATO, was formally dissolved, having been dogged with criticism throughout the nearly two decades since its founding. What was this NATO counterpart in the Indo-Pacific, why did it fail, and could it be revived today?             The basics: Read More…

Indo-Pacific and NATO

Do not be fooled, Ukraine and Taiwan are not the same: Key strategic lessons for NATO to learn in the event it aids Taiwan

In this article, Research Analyst Andrew Erskine compares and contrast the Russo-Ukraine war with the geopolitical climate existing between Taiwan and China, and argues that NATO needs to learn from its key strategic operations in Ukraine and adapt them for a multifaceted maritime operation.