Security – NAOC

Is NATO Ready for the Brain Battlefield? Navigating the Governance Window for Neurotechnology

In the shadow of artificial intelligence, governments are pouring billions into technologies that collapse the distinction between human thought and machine computation. If NATO does not intervene early, it risks ceding strategic influence to competitors who view the mind as a domain for military advantage. Yet the strategic promise of neurotechnology is matched by questions about control, accountability, and exploitation that the Alliance cannot afford to ignore. NATO must move quickly, but through a phased approach that balances innovation with the protection of cognitive integrity.

Canadian Armed Forces

2 Years On: What “Our North, Strong and Free” has — and hasn’t — Delivered

This April marks two years since the Department of National Defence released its updated policy titled “Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence,” which pledged $8.1 billion over five years and $73 billion over 20 years in national defence, signifying a new commitment to a military that had previously been underfunded Read More…

Morgan Singer Women in Security

The Parity Imperative: Why Women’s Political Representation is Imperative to NATO’s Peace and Security Agenda

Women’s political representation is an integral condition for achieving durable peace, however, progress toward parity has begun stalling recent years. This article examines the mechanisms through which women’s substantive political representation produces positive outcomes for NATO’s peace and security agenda. The NATO Alliance must cultivate a political order where women lead, not only as a gender equity imperative but as a peace imperative, as women’s leadership presents the surest defence against adversaries seeking to destabilize the Alliance.

Canadian Armed Forces Jasmine Doobay-Joseph

Canada’s C7 and C8 Transition in the Context of NATO Modernization

This article examines Canada’s decision to replace the Canadian Armed Forces’ C7 and C8 rifles alongside similar service rifle modernization efforts in France, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. It examines that the replacement is not driven by age alone, but by the need for greater adaptability, compatibility with modern accessories, and continued effectiveness across different operational settings. Rather than pointing to a single NATO-wide process, these cases reflect a broader pattern among several allies seeking to update the equipment carried by frontline personnel. Together, they show that service rifle replacement has implications not only for readiness, but also for interoperability, training, maintenance, and longer-term defence planning.

Security, Trade and the Economy Uncategorized

Canada’s Dual Exposure to the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is barely 30 miles wide at its narrowest point, yet it is arguably one of the most consequential stretches of water on earth. Through this narrow corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman flows approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day (b/d); roughly 20% of global petroleum Read More…

Security, Trade and the Economy

Caught between Allies and Autonomy: What the F-35 vs Gripen Dilemma means for Canada’s Defence and Security

Canada’s decision to replace its aging CF-18 fleet has taken on new geopolitical weight. Initially committed to procuring 88 F-35s, Ottawa began reconsidering further orders in 2025 amid deteriorating US-Canada relations, turning its attention to Sweden’s Gripen as an alternative. This article evaluates the two programs across four dimensions: homeland defence, alliance interoperability, industrial sovereignty, and combat performance. It finds that while the F-35 offers superior stealth and NATO integration, the Gripen presents compelling advantages in Arctic operability, cost efficiency, and supply chain independence. Ultimately, the right choice depends on whether Canada prioritizes allied commitments or long-term defence autonomy.

Security, Trade and the Economy

Europe’s Rearmament and the Question of Allied Market Access

As the European Union moves to a more structured defence-industrial strategy, its new programmes are beginning to shape who gets financed to produce what, and on what terms. Canada has secured rare, privileged access to this emerging system through SAFE, but access alone does not guarantee durable industrial relevance. Are Canada, and allies, able to be meaningfully included?

Indo-Pacific and NATO

Not Just a Submarine: South Korea’s Bid and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy

As Ottawa weighs its next submarine fleet, the stakes extend far beyond procurement. Tasneem Gedi argues that South Korea’s KSS-III could help Canada restore its undersea capabilities, strengthen its Indo-Pacific posture, and lay the foundation for a deeper defence relationship with Seoul. In a more demanding world, that makes this a strategic decision with consequences well beyond the navy itself.

Security, Trade and the Economy

The power of Atom, shared: Future of Canada’s extended nuclear deterrence within NATO.

Recent shifts in US defence policy have cast doubt on the reliability of the American nuclear umbrella that Canada and NATO allies have relied on for decades. While European states explore alternative deterrence arrangements through possible nuclear sharing by France and the UK, Canada’s access to these options is limited by its geography. This article argues that Canada can address this vulnerability without compromising its non-proliferation commitments by deepening its role in NORAD. Canada’s strategic importance to North America’s Arctic defence gives Ottawa unique leverage – which it should actively use to reinforce its membership within the American extended nuclear deterrence in face of mounting global security challenges.

Canadian Armed Forces Jasmine Doobay-Joseph

Can External Recruitment Address Skill Shortages in the Canadian Armed Forces?

As the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) continue to operate below authorized strength, the Government of Canada has announced plans to create a pathway for skilled foreign military recruits to help fill shortages in critical occupations. This reflects a broader challenge facing allied militaries: how to fill urgent personnel gaps without creating new long-term problems. This article examines whether foreign recruitment is becoming a lasting part of force generation or whether it is being used to respond to ongoing personnel pressures.
Drawing on examples from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, the article argues that external recruitment works best when it is connected to broader personnel planning, domestic training systems, and retention efforts. While it can help ease pressure in high-skill occupations such as aviation and medicine, its long-term value depends on whether it strengthens the force over time. The analysis suggests that foreign recruitment can support capability, but its overall value will depend on how well it fits within Canada’s wider workforce approach.