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.
Articles
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…
The Ethiopian Dam and its Effects on Egypt and Sudan
Ethiopia has officially completed its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). GERD is a $4.7 billion investment project located on the Blue Nile tributary, through which 85% of the Nile’s water flows. The dam is 30 kilometres long – Africa’s biggest hydroelectric project – producing 6,000 megawatts of electricity in a country where 66% of the Read More…
Canada’s Conundrum: Peace and Profits
Abstract: NATO’s recent discussion of arms control brings to light Canada’s role in the issue. Last year, NATO and the UN took part in the Eighth Biennial Meeting of State Parties to discuss how to combat the illicit sale of arms. During the meeting, the Deputy Director of Arms Control Directorate at the Political Affairs and Security Read More…
Ukraine’s Decades-Long Battle: Post-Independence Corruption and European Integration
In this article Bogdana Torbina traces the roots of Ukraine’s corruption and analyzes the future of anti-corruption reforms for continued Western support and Ukrainian accession to NATO and the EU in this time of war.
Mad Cow Disease – A Threat to Global Health and Food Security
Canada’s food crisis has been ongoing, with around 5.8 million Canadians experiencing some extent of food insecurity in 2021 alone. However, with the potential re-emergence of mad cow disease, this food insecurity could take another drastic turn. It was thought that we had seen the last of mad cow disease after the epidemic in the Read More…
Where in the Caspian Region Will Europe Get Its Gas?
In this article, NATO Association Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Energy Security program, Robert M. Cutler, discusses Europe’s Prospects for Caspian-region gas imports, including the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline Project (TCGP) project.
Special Report: From Operation Al-Aqsa Flood to Swords of Iron and Beyond
Israel & The Middle East Before October 7, 2023 Israel is “likely” to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia in a deal that will “change the Middle East forever” and create “a corridor of energy pipelines, rail lines, fiber optic cables, between Asia through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.” Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Read More…
NATO and Energy Security: Changing Times
In the face of the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, the existing Atlantic energy infrastructure has found its Achilles’ heel, namely a reliance on resources controlled by powers with interests that are inimical to the rules-based international order. According to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance’s goals in the face of this new crisis have Read More…
The Russia-Ukraine War’s INF Angle
Although there are no longer INF Treaty restrictions on the deployment of ground-launched intermediate-range missiles, and concerns about their deployment in Europe loomed large in the diplomatic brinkmanship leading up to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022, land-based INF-range missiles have yet to play a role in the Russia-Ukraine War. The scope of the Read More…
The Coup in Niger: What Comes Next?
In July, Niger’s democratically-elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was removed from office by a coup d’état led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the commander of the presidential guards, who appointed himself head of the country’s new military government. His official reason for his actions was his allegation that Bazoum’s government was not managing the deterioration of the Read More…
NATO Strengthens Energy-Security Ties with Azerbaijan
In this article, Senior Research Fellow Dr. Robert M. Cutler covers NATO’s July 5th Military Committee meeting, its select partners, and its challenges. Specific attention is paid to the strengthened energy-security relations between NATO and Azerbaijan.