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Finland’s NATO Debate

Finland’s relationship with NATO has a long and complicated history. Despite actively taking part in its activities and offering support for the Alliance, the Finnish government all the same rejects to apply for a membership in the organization in line with popular opinion, while retaining an option of applying in the future. Historical context At Read More…

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Invite Only

By Andrew de Vos A new NATO Council weekly that offers a lighter perspective of global events. About the artist: Andrew de Vos is an Australian artist who has recently moved to Toronto from Melbourne. He is influenced by all types of art, from the traditional to pop culture. He can be contacted at andrewdevos@gmail.com.

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Kyrgyzstan’s Struggle for Democracy

The recent ousting of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has brought yet another new chapter in Kyrgyzstan’s journey towards democracy since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Washington Post claims that the interim government, headed by foreign minister Roza Otunbayeva is attempting to reclaim Kyrgyzstan’s status as an “island of democracy” within Central Asia. Yet looting and violent protests are still occurring in the capital, Bishkek. Amid fears of a civil war, President Bakiyev has fled to Kazakhstan. To date, at least 84 people have died from the violence.

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Nuclear Weapons Top Global Security Agenda

The end of US President Obama’s Nuclear Security Summit on April 13, 2010, brought with it the beginning of a new era of nuclear security as 47 world leaders gathered in Washington D.C. for a two-day summit on how to safeguard nuclear materials from terrorists and non-state actors. A joint declaration from the leaders stated Read More…

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The NATO Council of Canada Spring Conference, 2010

The NATO Council’s annual Spring Conference was held on April 8, 2010. This year’s topic was ‘Minimizing Conflict in the Race for Natural Resources: Securing Economic Stability in the 21st Century’, looking at different issues pertaining to energy security from geopolitical, economic and military standpoints. Conference attendees were offered an in-depth look at many different aspects of resource scarcity from an impressive list of speakers from a wide range of industries and professional backgrounds. The speakers provided thorough, informed and detailed discussions that sparked debate and dialogue on how energy security will impact both the public and private sectors and how NATO will define its role in dealing with the increasingly complex security issue.