In this article, Alexander Lapsker examines right-wing politics in Poland. He focuses on the nationalist conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS), examining its social and political impacts on the country and its broader implications for the West.
Society, Culture, and Security
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.
Special Report: Did NATO “Promise” Russia Not to Enlarge?
A common trope in Russia’s discourse about NATO is the charge that the organization has not dealt with Moscow in good faith. Many Russians, of which Putin is a particularly vocal example, allege that Western officials assured their Soviet counterparts during the Two Plus Four negotiations (West Germany and East Germany plus the US, USSR, France, and the UK) on German reunification in Read More…
Lessons Learned: Past NATO Missions and the Strategy in Ukraine
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine drags on into its second year now, debate still rages about how the conflict will end and the role that NATO can play in bringing about the conflict’s successful conclusion. At the moment, NATO troops are not in Ukraine directly contributing to the fighting; NATO member countries are supplying weapons Read More…
Should Canada Enhance Its Defence Posture Amid the Russia-Ukraine War?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had expressed concern that the risk of direct involvement by NATO forces in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine threatened to escalate tensions and lead to a wider conflict with Russia. However, since then, he has committed Canada to bolstering Ukraine’s war effort. This raises the complex issue of whether Canada should increase defence spending Read More…
What’s Up, Doc?: The Viral Spread of the Digital Infodemic
In his speech at the Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated: “we’re not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic.” Social media platforms are flooded with false information, half-truths, and conspiracy theories, all of which shaped the online environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This, coupled with post-truth politics, Read More…
Battling Canadian Food Insecurity with Fermentation
In this article, Mia Kruger highlights new technology that battles food insecurity and provides a look into the impact this could have on Canadian society.
The CAF’s Sexual Misconduct Settlement: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward
In December, 2022, the Canadian Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, presented a report to the Canadian parliament that related the progress of the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) efforts at reform in the face of widespread reports of sexual assault in its ranks. The last three years have seen the resignation of many high-level Canadian defence officials, Read More…
NATO on the Iranian Protests and its Struggle Against a Double-Edged Nuclear Deal
With Iran’s nuclear program on the rise and the Iranian people fighting for their rights to be observed and protected, Dania El-Ayoubi discusses NATO members’ responses and the possible revival of the JCPOA.
Stoltenberg’s Warning for Canada
In late August, 2022, Canada hosted NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on a two-day visit to Alberta and Nunavut. He toured the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, the North Warning System Site, and met with First Nations leaders and CAF personnel. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accompanied him on his visit and spoke about Canada’s commitment to NATO and Read More…
What Could the Chinese Surveillance Balloon Mean for Canadian Security?
Mia Kruger rehashes February’s #BalloonIncident, and provides us with a closer look at Canadian airspace security.