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.

Diplomatic Relations Expanding Community Lee Williamson Saudi Arabia Society, Culture, and Security

What the Canada-Saudi Arabia Dispute Reveals About Canada’s Allies

On September 26, in the latest development in the ongoing diplomatic row between Canada and Saudi Arabia, the Saudi foreign minister, Adel Al-Juebir, asked that Canada stop treating his country “like a banana republic.” Al-Juebir repeated demands that the Government of Canada apologize for its August 2018 Tweets which called for the release of a Read More…

Culture Iran Iraq ISIS Sivan Ghasem Society, Culture, and Security The Middle East and North Africa Uncategorized

Iranian interest in Iraq and ramifications on NATO

In this article, Sivan Ghasem highlights Iran’s role in Iraq and the current umbrella of militia’s that operate under Iran’s direction. She underscores the measures of hard and soft power executed by the Iranian regime and how this could effect relations with NATO.

Society, Culture, and Security

Strongman Domination in World Politics: Why Political Systems Matter

Although many strongman leaders are portrayed as authoritarian, power hungry, and egotistic control freaks, Junior Research Fellow Ramesh Balakrishnan discusses how there is a world of difference between those leaders at the head of democracies versus those who are unelected and rule over dictatorships.

Society, Culture, and Security

Opinion: Helsinki and the Effects of Trump’s Pivot to Russia

The 2018 Helsinki Summit, held between Russia and the United States, indicates a pivot towards Russia by the Trump administration. In this article Junior Research Fellow Adam Zivo shares his thoughts on why that matters and what American Russophilia might mean for the future of Europe.

Society, Culture, and Security Women in Security

A Shifting Moral Compass: Gina Haspel and the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program

Gina Haspel was confirmed as the 7th Director of the CIA on May 17th. In his latest article, McCartney Lee discusses Haspel’s history with the agency’s Detention and Interrogation program, and whether or not institutionalized torture is an effective method of gathering information.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats NATO and Canada NATO Operations Society, Culture, and Security

A Captive State in Democratic Clothing: A Discussion with Consul General Andrii Veselovskyi

In a four part series, the NATO Association of Canada discusses the advance of Russia and Ukraine’s bid to join NATO with Ukrainian Consul General Andrii Veselovskyi. The inaugural feature discusses the reality of Russian intervention in Central and Eastern Europe, and analyzes how western misconceptions and acquiesce have led to a negligent disregard of Read More…

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Nasser Haidar Society, Culture, and Security Women in Security

The Case Of The Returning Jihadi: A Talk by Rukmini Callimachi, Janice Stein and Amarnath Amarsingam

Ideology A peculiar thing about those that choose a life of extremism, is that despite all their flair for violence, they are extraordinarily ordinary. They are people, just like us, and they have a deeply articulated cause that they think is worthy of death. Amarnath Amarsingam wonders why we’re asking the wrong questions when it Read More…