Nathaniel Borins Society, Culture, and Security

Democratic Norms in Senegal: A Case for Optimism

Senegal has long been a rare positive exception to other trends in governance when analyzing democratic successes in Africa. In spite of former President Macky Sall’s authoritarian slide during his terms from 2012 to 2024, the opposition victory this past April, followed by a peaceful transfer of power are confirmations of Senegal’s democratic trajectory. This Read More…

Gleb Adamovych Society, Culture, and Security

Polarization Blues

Despite the world being interconnected in a way it has never been, civilization finds itself torn apart by civil strife and disagreement. “Polarization” is the word of the day, and it has hit Canada hard. Recent years have seen the issue reflected in the rise of hate crimes, distrust of the government, and general violence. Read More…

Clara Lachman Society, Culture, and Security

Continuing Navalny’s fight: towards a Democratic Russia.

It’s been over two months since Alexei Navalny died in prison. Internationally recognized as Vladimir Putin’s leading critic, Navalny led a bold and courageous journey of challenging the corruption of the Kremlin. In 2011, he founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation to expose the government’s deceitful activities and actively led protests rallying against Putin’s regime. Navalny believed Read More…

Clara Lachman Society, Culture, and Security Women in Security

A feminist approach to navigating a world in flux.

VUCA. An acronym commonly used by organizational leaders within the business environment has now become all too relevant in the context of international affairs. V. Volatile. U. Uncertain. C. Complex. A. Ambiguous. This is the state that humanity currently finds itself in. Ranging from realities such as increasing levels of political polarization to the rise Read More…

Clara Lachman Society, Culture, and Security

Forever Putin? The Greater Implications of Russia’s Election Results.

A fifth term secured in power. Another six years claimed as the country’s head of state. On track to becoming the Kremlin’s longest serving leader since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Welcome to the world of Mr. Vladimir Putin. Last month, Russia held its eighth presidential election, although it was predetermined who would emerge victorious. Yet, Read More…

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Touraj Riazi

Who Will Save the Internet from China?

The Geopolitics of the Internet Threats to an open internet have been increasing over the past decade. China, Russia, and other authoritarian states have stepped up attempts to exert greater global top-down control over the network architecture that enables the data flows internet operations rely on. If authoritarian states shape the future of the internet in Read More…

5. Authors of the NCC Arash Toupchinejad Society, Culture, and Security

Deciphering the Russia-Ukraine War – A Discussion with Professor Marta Dyczok

In this article, Arash Toupchinejad interviews Professor Marta Dyczok from Western University about the socio-cultural and economic implications of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the heightened tensions to better assess the status of the situation in Eastern Europe.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats

Colombia Protests, NATO Partnership, and Democratic Principles

Over the last two decades, NATO has advanced its enlargement policy, welcoming new members and partners. Colombia was the first – and currently, the only – Latin American country to become a NATO global partner, cooperating on issues such as cybersecurity and corruption. Both sides of this partnership work together to further their goals. Personnel Read More…

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Eastern Europe and Russia Europe Griffin Cornwall Russia Security Trade

Lukashenko’s Gambit: Embattled Belarusian President Risks National Sovereignty Amidst Increasing Isolation from the West

In this article Griffin Cornwall examines the impact of the Belarusian Government’s dramatic arrests of Roman Protasevich and Sofia Sapega, the increased sanctions pressure from the West this action has brought, and the potential risks to Belarus’ national sovereignty brought by President Lukashenko’s retrenchment of his relationship to his longstanding ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin