International Security

Information Might be the Key to Dealing with North Korea’s Nuclear Threat 0
- Analysis
- February 18, 2016
By David Slinn

Dealing with North Korea is not easy. Dealing with a dictatorship never is. It took the West 45 years to overcome the challenges posed by the Soviet Union.

North Korea has now developed into a serious threat …
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A Smart IS Strategy — Except for the Air Strikes 0
- Analysis
- February 18, 2016
This week, the Trudeau government released its strategy to confront Islamic State. On balance, it is a good strategy, one that is consistent with Canada’s interests, with one important exception: the decision to stop the air strikes.

Every element in …
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Canada in Afghanistan: A Role Model for Canada’s Middle East Mission?0
- Analysis
- February 17, 2016
While recalling six fighter jets from the bombing mission in the Middle East, Canada promises to provide military training, humanitarian aid, and diplomacy in fostering a peace process. The Liberal government’s promise of humanitarian assistance and intent to find a …
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Where’s the government’s longer-range vision on ISIL?0
- Analysis
- February 9, 2016
Prime Minister Trudeau wants to put a new Liberal stamp on the Canadian mission to Iraq and the region. His press conference on Monday marked an expected shift away from a direct Canadian contribution to air attacks against Islamic State …
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The Forgotten Vision of Co-operative Security from Vancouver to Vladivostok 0
- Analysis
- February 8, 2016
A few days ago, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced that advanced weaponry, a reinvestment in Europe, and an overall focus on great-power rivalry would define the final defense budget of the Obama Administration. The proposed budget is designed to …
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Canada’s spy watchdogs: Good, but not good enough 0
- Analysis
- February 5, 2016
The tabling in Parliament this past week of the annual reports of Canada’s two spy watchdog agencies conveys a hidden message. The message is that the existing system to hold intrusive intelligence gathering agencies to account is working; in fact, …
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The AU Summit: Do Not Be Fooled 0
- Analysis
- February 1, 2016
If your main source of information about the world is the Canadian media, you probably did not register that the African Union’s 26th Summit took place in Addis Ababa this weekend. Causing barely a ripple on the Canadian airwaves, it …
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Why Resuming Ties with Tehran will be Slow Going for Canada 0
- Analysis
- January 30, 2016
The Liberal government says it will soon begin lifting some sanctions imposed on Iran and will gradually implement its campaign pledge of re-establishing diplomatic relations with Tehran.

This is sound policy: It is in Canada’s interest to regain its foothold …
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Liberal Government Must Sign Treaty Regulating Arms Industry 0
- Analysis
- January 27, 2016
by Jennifer Erickson, Srdjan Vucetic, and Amanda Alcamo

In his campaign, Justin Trudeau promised to sign the Arms Trade Treaty if elected. Now is the time for the new prime minister to follow through on his election promise.

The treaty …
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Turbulent Times: Volatility in Foreign Policy 0
- Analysis
- January 20, 2016
By Eleonora Mattiacci, Amherst College

In 2015, two momentous rapprochements took place on the international stage. In July, the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations. In December, Pakistan hosted a surprise visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, …
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Reconcilable differences? Rethinking NATO’s Strategy 0
- Analysis
- November 16, 2015
By Alexandra Gheciu

NATO has just announced that it will soon put forward proposals for a new “southern strategy,” in response to growing instability in the Middle East and Russia’s growing military presence south of the Bosphorus. According to the …
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How Ottawa Fails to Meet the Security Challenge 0
- Analysis
- October 13, 2015
By Kent Roach and Craig Forcese

In responding to last year’s terrorist attacks, Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised his government would not over-react, but also would not under-react, to the ISIS terrorist threat. Unfortunately his government proceeded to do
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