The NATO Association of Canada’s Society, Culture, and Security program takes a look at the issues that impact Canadians’ every day lives while connecting them to international relations. The program covers a wide range of topics, which include: pop culture, art, film, global events, and socio-political relations. In addition, Society, Culture, and IR aims to examine and provide in-depth analyses that relate international affairs to the interests of Canadian society.
Nuclear weapons are many things. Their fearsome power provokes millenarian musings of humanity’s penchant for self-destruction. They are a great force multiplier in international relations, raising the relevance of marginal states and confirming the dominance of powerful ones. They form a key part of NATO’s strategic rationale by serving as a deterrent against aggression. Though Read More…
To understand the political realities of Canada and Germany today, one must begin with a map. In both countries, polarization takes shape not just in rhetoric but in the growing distance between city skylines and rural streets. Politics has been reorganized by a new geography of power, with cities now concentrating population, investment, and cultural Read More…
For many Canadians, peace and humanitarian operations evoke familiar images: soldiers protecting civilians in conflict zones, medics tending to refugees, and pilots delivering aid under fire. These stories, often marked by courage, restraint, and a quiet sense of duty, have become part of how Canadians understand themselves and their country’s place in the world. They Read More…
On November 11th, Canadians and their European allies observe Remembrance Day or Armistice Day, honouring those who sacrificed their lives in the World Wars and serving as a reminder of why maintaining the capability to fight remains important. For Canada, an extraordinary sacrifice was made in solidarity with the British. In a subtle display of Read More…
As Russia’s war on Ukraine tests NATO’s resolve, and a looming alliance between China and other states opposed to NATO seeks to reshape the global order in its favour, NATO and its allies find themselves facing the most dangerous challenges of the 21st century. What does NATO mean to us? What was NATO built Read More…
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup slowly approaches, fans and human rights groups alike are campaigning against matches hosted on US soil. Targeted immigration policies and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community are some of the concerns raised by groups for the upcoming global event. For some, the policies of the Trump administration pose a significant Read More…
Germany is the latest NATO ally to take steps towards introducing conscription. Is this a sign for Canada that conscription is necessary for us to meet our NATO commitments? In this article, Rudy Yuan examines the multifaceted legacy of conscription in Germany and Canada, evaluating the cultural and military soundness of such a policy.
Last term, the NATO Association of Canada was proud to welcome Joshua Liu, a Grade 10 student, as one of its interns. Joshua contributed to the development of the Security in Community civics course, helping make complex global security issues accessible to Ontario students. In this article, Joshua reflects on his mission of connecting Canadians with NATO’s role in peace and security.
Coyne, Andrew. The Crisis of Canadian Democracy. Sutherland House Books, 2025. In the introduction to his recently published The Crisis of Canadian Democracy, Andrew Coyne declares his intention to end Canadians’ confidence and “collective comfort” in the fate of our democratic institutions. The alarms that this book sounds raise important questions. What are the crises Read More…
With 142 executive orders signed in just 100 days, President Trump’s second term opened with a rapid consolidation of executive power. The orders targeted such key areas as border enforcement, foreign aid, and commitments to international institutions. Immigration policy quickly emerged as a key instrument of executive overreach. Building on the hardline stance of Donald Read More…