Conference of Defence Associations Institute

Could a swarm of cheap drones launched from hidden trucks inside Russian territory mark a turning point in the Ukraine war? Nearly a week ago, Ukraine carried out a covert drone operation inside Russia, striking five military air bases and damaging or destroying a significant number of strategic bombers. The attack, codenamed “Spider’s Web,” involved 117 small, explosive-laden drones that were smu...

As Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on and tensions rise along NATO’s eastern flank, Lithuania is sounding the alarm, not just for itself, but for the entire transatlantic alliance If countries like Lithuania or Latvia are tested and Canada—or other members of the Alliance—hesitate, it could damage the credibility of NATO's collective defence. This would not only undermine the Alliance, but emb...

As maritime security environments grow increasingly complex, particularly in remote and contested regions like the Arctic, the RCN is considering adoption of maritime autonomous systems (MAS) to enhance surveillance, extend operational reach, and reduce risk to personnel. VAdm (Retd) Bob Davidson CMM, MSC CD, Cdr. Ryan Bell, and Kate E. Todd discuss the application of MAS, or 'Ghost Fleets&ap...

With tensions rising in the Indo-Pacific and the global economy vulnerable to disruption, Canada faces growing pressure to define its role in a region that is central to future global security and prosperity. As great power competition intensifies, and China ramps up military activity and rhetoric around a potential invasion of Taiwan, Canada must confront the limitations of its naval capacity, th...

In this week's installment of The Geopolitical Update podcast, we discuss intensifying tit-for-tat drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia amidst a substantial prisoner swap and Donald Trump’s call with President Vladimir Putin, President Trump’s unveiling of the United States’ planned Golden Dome initiative—a $175 billion space-based missile defense system designed to intercept hypersonic,...

What do recent changes in the United States’s strategic posture mean for the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance?  Over the past several months, allies within the Five Eyes have flagged an alarming level of polarization within the U.S. intelligence community. While the alliance has faced challenges before, new difficulties regarding intelligence-sharing dynamics, as well as domestic politics,...

Dr. Rob Huebert joins today's Expert Series podcast to discuss the implications of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada is exploring participation in the United States' “Golden Dome” defence initiative, unveiled by Donald Trump earlier this week. The Golden Dome, designed to intercept hypersonic, ballistic, and space-based threats, would mark a major expansion of America...

How did the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine reawaken strategic thinking in the West?  Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine poses challenges for the future of international security. Joining us today is Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London, to discuss the ways in which the global system is increasingly being shaped by hard-power confrontation...

How should Canada increase its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region?  The South China Sea has become a global flashpoint for economic and military tensions. Despite Canada itself being a Pacific nation, our regional engagement and relations with regional partners remain limited. Jonathan Berkshire Miller and Stephen Nagy joined the Expert Series to discuss the challenging context Canada now faces...

Faced with heated threats in the Arctic and American uncertainty in bilateral cooperation, Arctic sovereignty and security has emerged at the forefront of security concerns in the recent Canadian federal election. We met with Dr. Andrea Charron and Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer to discuss Canada’s answer to the Arctic question. With the 51st narrative still looming high on Canada’s mind, NORAD cooperati...

What is driving Canada's ongoing military recruitment and retention crisis, and how can the CAF address the challenges that are preventing it from meeting its personnel needs in an increasingly unstable global security environment? In this Expert Series episode, Charlotte Duval-Lantoine outlines the underlying causes of the CAF’s personnel crisis: outdated recruitment processes and delayed se...

In today’s episode of the Expert Series, moderator Benjamin Ofosu-Atuahene talks with Dr. David Black, Dr. Marie-Joelle Zahar, Dr. Yolande Bouka, and Dr. Andrew Grant about the highs and lows of Canada’s Africa Strategy. Amidst talk of Canada diversifying its alliances, Canada’s Africa Strategy sets the scene for potential expansion of Canada’s relationships. An opportunity arises for Canada to do...

In today’s episode of the Expert Series, we meet with Egidijus Meilūnas, Ambassador of Lithuania to Canada. Through conversations regarding Lithuania’s current defence buildup, Ambassador Egidijus Meilunas highlights the ways in which Canada-Lithuania defence cooperation can transform the alliance’s north.  As Lithuania plans to increase its GDP spending on defence to nearly 5-6% by 2032, it is po...

What are Canada’s major political parties promising when it comes to defence, sovereignty, and foreign policy—and where do key questions and challenges remain? In today’s Expert Series episode, Vincent Rigby compares the two major party platforms on defence and security issues. Together, we highlight three crucial areas from both aspects of the Liberal and Conservative platforms: the commitment to...

Will NATO and its allies—including Canada—be able to mobilize quickly enough to address the evolving threat of Russia and China’s alliance? In order to prevent further escalation, political will must support our military capacity. In today’s Expert Series episode, we hear from Julia Soldatiuk-Westerveld, Justin Massie, Olena Snigyr, and Colonel (Ret’d) Michel Drapeau about the importance of Canadi...

In today’s Expert Series episode, Toms Rostoks, Director of the Centre for Security and Strategic Research at the National Defence Academy of Latvia, discusses Latvia’s evolving approach to national defence in the face of Russian aggression. The 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea was a turning point for Latvia’s national defence strategy. With the understanding that Russian aggression towards Europe...

In this Expert Series episode, we unpack the Liberal Party’s April 14 defence pledge, announced by Mark Carney, which outlines significant reinvestment in Canada’s military and defence industry. Key proposals include a centralized procurement agency, a new research bureau focused on emerging technologies, and efforts to boost domestic defence production and international partnerships—particularly...

In today's Expert Series episode, we speak with Peter MacKay, former Minister of National Defence, to discuss the defence and security challenges Canada faces today. From Normandy to Afghanistan, the Armed Forces have long been a source of pride for Canadians. While recent challenges in domestic procurement and recruitment have limited the CAF, it’s still possible to get back to the impactful...

In this Expert Series episode, we meet with Dr. Rob Huebert and Dr. Philippe Lagassé to discuss this year’s Strategic Outlook: a timely and essential survey of the emerging and existing security challenges facing Canada at this dangerous inflection point. Building on his analysis for the CDA Institute’s 2025 Strategic Outlook publication, Dr. Huebert discusses several pressing challenges facing Ca...

In this Expert Series episode, we meet with Major General (Ret’d) Colin Keiver, Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Andre Deschamps, and General (Ret’d) Tom Lawson to discuss the potential cancellation or readjustment of the F-35 procurement deal, its impact on the Canadian defence sector, and its broader implications for the bilateral relationship. With defence and security issues making headlines ahead o...

In today’s Expert Series episode, we meet Dr. Daniel Araya, Dr. Kurtis Simpson, Dan Ciuriak, Dr. Roberto Mazzolin, and Dr. Amos Fox to discuss how AI and robotics are redefining the future of national security. At a time when Canada faces the daunting dual task of improving its defence capability while ensuring economic security, our panellists explore national security in the age of artificial in...

In today’s Expert Series episode, we meet with Robert Baines, President and CEO of the NATO Association of Canada, to discuss the impact of the U.S.'s shifting stance towards NATO and how this affects US-Canada tensions and NATO dynamics with European allies.  Our conversation covers the importance of Canada reaching the 2% GDP defence spending benchmark and the need for enhanced strategic fo...

In today’s Expert Series episode, we sit down with Xavier Delgado to examine the evolving Canada-US relationship amid rising tariffs, trade disputes, and shifting economic policies. Within the context of President Trump's priorities since inauguration and Canada's economic future under Prime Minister Mark Carney, we discuss the broader implications for bilateral dialogue and continental...

In today’s Expert Series episode, we meet with Mrs. Laura Thornton, Senior Director of the McCain Institute; Dr. Balkan Devlen, Director of the Transatlantic Program at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute; and Dr. Leonard Schütte, Senior Researcher at the Munich Security Conference to discuss the future of NATO amidst recent shifts in the transatlantic democracy and security cooperation. This panel ex...

In today’s Expert Series episode, we meet with Col (Ret’d) Terry Chester, LGen (Ret’d) Andre Deschamps, MGen (Ret’d) Colin Keiver, and Richard Shimooka to discuss the pressing recruitment and retention challenges facing the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Highlighting a personnel shortfall unable to meet modern demands, the panel emphasizes the need for agile recruitment strategies, improved equi...