Canada is facing severe challenges. As bilateral relations deteriorate and international alliances rapidly shift, Canada must reassess defence priorities. Canada needs to start by aligning with the European Union and defence preparation in the Arctic. Long seen as an afterthought, northern borders are a key battleground for resources, trade and influence. Unaddressed global warming is Read More…
Articles
Where They Stand: Canada’s Federal Political Parties Defence Platforms 2025
This special report provides an objective overview of the newly elected minority Liberal government’s plans regarding defence and discusses proposals from other opposition parties.
Serbian Gas Deal Continues Azerbaijan’s Penetration of South-East European Energy Markets
In this article, Dr. Cutler outlines the new Serbian gas deal with Azerbaijan in the context of European energy trends and policies, as well as the BRUA pipeline project.
Nothing is Foreign Here: China, Japan, and the Influence of Narratives within American Policymaking
How do stories shape domestic articulations of foreign policy? In this special report, Jack Burnham discusses how the narratives surrounding the rise of China and Japan shaped American foreign policy debates.
From the Internet to Ashes: Disinformation and the Tigray War
What does war in the Tigray region show about the future of disinformation in ethnic and regional conflicts? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the role of gas-lighting and other information warfare techniques in the Horn of Africa’s most recent outbreak of hostilities.
No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy? The Marine Corps’ New Information Warfare Strategy
How does the US Marine Corps (USMC) intend to conduct information warfare over the coming decade? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the USMC’s Force Design 2030 initiative and its focus on countering disinformation and operating in the Indo-Pacific region.
Putin’s War Has United Europe
In this article, Jordan McEwen discusses the European Union’s improved cooperation and how this may have been triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Contrary to those who maintain that Europe’s unity over Ukraine is fading, she argues that member states shared concern for their security may be allowing for better cooperation than ever before.
Did you know? 7 Facts About the Arctic Infographic
there are institutions focused on Arctic issues, and what the threats are to the Arctic.
“A Splendid Little War” Great Power Competition, Disinformation, and the Spanish-American War
What is the relationship between disinformation and great power competition? In this essay, Jack Burnham discusses the legacy of the Spanish-American War and the “yellow press” through the lens of great power politics, and its lessons for contemporary policymakers.
Like Father, Like Son? Disinformation and the Marcos’ Legacy
How did Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s son win power in the Philippines? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the country’s recent presidential election, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s victory, and the role of disinformation in Filipino politics.
Deception, Deceit, and the Dictator’s Dilemma: Russia, Iraq, and Authoritarian Propaganda
Why is the propaganda of authoritarian regimes often so blatantly false? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses Russia’s disinformation campaign surrounding the emerging global food crisis across the Middle East and Africa, Saddam Hussein’s influence operations, and the politics of dictatorship.
Fighting Familiar Wars on Foreign Shores: Disinformation, the American Right, and Uganda
How can disinformation be used to stifle human rights? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the connection between Uganda’s anti-homosexuality laws and the intervention of members of the American evangelical community.
Milgaard, the Hip, and Wrongful Conviction
Milgaard’s case highlighted the need for justice reform in Canada and abroad; his death serves to remind us that this type of reform still hasn’t happened.
House of Cards: The Suspension of the US’ Disinformation Governance Board
Why did the US Disinformation Governance Board fail? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the ill-fated US Department of Homeland Security initiative, and the implications for addressing disinformation within democracies.
Repetition or Rhyming? HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and Disinformation
Nearly forty years on and faced with another public health threat, what is the legacy of HIV/AIDS-related disinformation? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the parallels between the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 health crises and the proliferation of health-related disinformation during a time of great power competition.
NATO Needs to Act When Member States Curb LGBTQ+ Rights
Hungary frequently discriminates against minority groups, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, violating standards of human rights. In this article, Jordan McEwen and Diana Fodor discuss why NATO should intervene to address Hungary’s rollbacks of LGBTQ+ rights.
Selling Stories by the Side of the Rio Grande: Immigration, Disinformation, and US Border Policy
How effective has the US been in countering falsehoods aimed at migrants from South America? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses how disinformation contributes to immigration northwards, and the Biden administration’s response.
No Child Left Behind? Education, Disinformation, and Media Literacy Classes
Do media literacy classes offer an effective policy solution to disinformation? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the rise of media literacy classes in the US and Canada and their impact on countering the effects of deliberate falsehoods on young people.
The Impact of Increasing Political Instability on Canadian Security
A look at Canada’s rising security issues.
Honesty Truly Is the Best Policy: Public Intelligence Sharing and the Russo-Ukrainian War
How have NATO states adapted to Russia’s use of disinformation? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the West’s strategy of public intelligence sharing and its impact on the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Short Loops and Tall Tales: TikTok, Disinformation, and the New Face of War Reporting
Why has TikTok become a hub for disinformation during the Russo-Ukrainian War? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the rise of the social media platform, its influence on the information space, and how it has reshaped war reporting.
Wolf Warrior-ism, Revisited: Great Power Competition During the Russo-Ukrainian War
What lessons can Russian disinformation campaigns provide for understanding China’s “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy”? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses the Russo-Ukrainian war, Chinese diplomacy, and the value of falsehoods in international relations.
Crossing the Rubicon To Reach Centre Bloc: Grievance Politics, Disinformation, and the Legacy of the “Freedom Convoy”
What threat does the “Freedom Convoy” continue to pose to Canada? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses protests in Ottawa and the role of disinformation in stoking and radicalizing grievance politics.
Another Big Bang? What Sweden’s Entry into NATO Could Mean for Countering Disinformation
What could Sweden’s entry into NATO mean for its fight against disinformation? In this article, Jack Burnham discusses NATO’s recent Madrid Summit and potential role for Sweden’s Psychological Defence Agency within the Alliance.
Rising Right-wing Extremism at Home and Abroad: A Global Perspective to Canada’s Freedom Convoy Protest
In this article, Jordan McEwen highlights the growth of right-wing extremist violence by looking at the Freedom Convoy Protest earlier this year.
Jean Chrétien Offers Up Wit and Wisdom at the NATO Association Gala.
Jean Chrétien, Canada’s twentieth prime minister, had his audience in an effervescent mood on March 15th at the Globe and Mail Centre. As the guest of honour at an event organized by the NATO Association of Canada to recognize Mr. Chrétien’s legacy in Canadian foreign affairs and his contributions to the evolution of NATO, he Read More…
NATO and the Philippines: The First Step Towards a Strategic Partnership
As tensions continue to rise in the Indo-Pacific, the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has turned his attention to realigning with the United States and allies. This shift in policy from aligning the Philippines with Beijing in 2016- to a complete pivot to Washington- has now opened up possible opportunities for the US and Read More…
From Trenches to Algorithms: Integrating Unmanned Ground Vehicles into NATO’s Cyber-Resilient Structure
How can NATO integrate Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) into the Cyber Defence Framework? In this article, Christopher Macartney highlights the developments and capabilities of UGVs during the Russia-Ukraine War and strengthening UGV network defences as a strategic asset for NATO in the future of warfare.
Why NATO Needs Women to Rebuild Defence Capacity
Canada and France are amongst NATO’s leading countries in advancing gender parity. With their Armed Forces compromising between 16-17% of women actively serving in the military. Despite these achievements both countries continue to face significant challenges with recruitment and retention specifically amongst women with strong backgrounds in STEM and cybersecurity. The underrepresentation of women in defence and cybersecurity presents a critical challenge to long term defence readiness and resilience.
The Rollback of the Pentagon’s Women, Peace, and Security Program: What it Means for NATO and the Importance of Canadian WPS Leadership
With the U.S. rollback of the Pentagon’s Women, Peace, and Security program, the global WPS agenda appears to be at a crossroads. In the context of increasing geopolitical volatility, peacebuilding initiatives such as WPS must be at the forefront of NATO’s operational goals. Canada’s National Action Plan offers a leading example of how states can reinforce the global WPS agenda through comprehensive national policy.
At a Crossroads: Can Canada Meet the Moment For its Feminist Foreign Policy?
Canada’s new plan to name a new Women, Peace and Security (WPS) ambassador is a positive signal, considering WPS and Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) have historically been a reflection of Canadian values, as champions of peace and multilateral cooperation. Isabelle Zhu argues that Canada’s current “middle power” strategy would allow it to move forward as the new champion of FFPs and WPS, enhancing its position within the Alliance and on the international stage.
Democracy and Disinformation: A Structural Disadvantage
Can democratic states effectively counter disinformation without undermining the principles they seek to protect? Dominique Arseneau-Bruneau examines how legality, legitimacy, and institutional complexity shape democratic responses in the information environment.
The Future of the Frontline: Embedding Gender in the Transition to Drone Warfare
The transition toward drone warfare is transforming the frontline. Drawing on Ukraine’s experience, this article explores how remote warfare challenges conventional standards for combat effectiveness. These transformations create new opportunities and threats; the necessity for precision, composure, and critical thinking bolsters women’s greater capacity to perform as impressive drone operators. Alternatively, gendered stereotypes and psychological challenges persist. This article outlines pathways through which NATO can integrate gender perspectives into the deployment of uncrewed systems in order to optimize the integration of combat innovation.
Resilience Through Marketing, Dual‑Use Technologies, and the Power of Public Opinion
Whether it is NATO’s eastern front or the Persian Gulf, wars today have a variety of drivers that range from troops to weapons systems. Many of these advanced technologies are dual-use in nature, often switching between military and commercial (or civilian) settings. Bringing greater urgency to this matter, prominent defence technologies that are sensitive also Read More…
Encoded Bias: How Gender Analysis Benefits NATO’s AI Expansion
Military AI technologies have the potential to replicate gender bias due to the ways AI machine learning encodes patterns in data. In this article, Tessa McDermid argues that as NATO expands its investment in military AI technologies, it must equally commit to monitoring how these systems risk reproducing gender bias. By adopting corrective frameworks that align its AI Strategy with core Alliance values, NATO can meet its goals in advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
AI and Warfare: When Machines Make Decisions – Event Report
On Monday, May 25, 2026, the NATO Association of Canada hosted a panel discussion titled “AI and Warfare: When Machines Make Decisions”. The discussion brought together experts from defence, academia, policy, and industry to examine the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare. This report provides a detailed overview of the event’s discussions.
Delegating Destruction: AI and the Ethics of Warfare
As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in modern warfare, it is reshaping how states conduct war and raising urgent questions of ethics and accountability regarding the potential absence of human judgment in lethal decisions. If machines can decide when force is used, who ultimately remains accountable for the decision to take a human life in war?





































