Carleton Researcher Receives Funding to Support Security and Defence Network
Carleton University Prof. Stephen Saideman has received a $2.5 million Partnership Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for his work on the Canadian Defence and Security Network (CDSN) to create an inclusive and innovative defence and security community in Canada.
“Carleton researchers continue to produce cutting-edge research in public safety and security with SSHRC support,” said Rafik Goubran, vice-president (Research and International). “This generous funding is a vital addition to our already substantial research in this area which will lead to a safer Canada and ultimately a safer global community.”
At a time of rapid change on the world stage, Canada is facing new challenges in its relations with countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, and even the United States.
That prompted Saideman, at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), to create the network, which was officially launched May 24, 2019. The grant, with matching contributions from more than 30 partners, will allow the CDSN to connect across the globe with government agencies, the armed forces and civil society.
“The idea is to bring together people who are studying or working in defence and security throughout Canada to build a community,” says Saideman, who holds the Paterson Chair in International Affairs. “This is a big country and there are a lot of divides between academia, civil society and the military across the country. We want to have more interaction so we can anticipate the research interests of the government and the military.”
The centre will focus on five research themes, including defence procurement, military personnel, operations, security, and civil-military relations. Each theme will have a joint academic/government/civil society/defence team associated with it, assessing what Canada does well and what it does poorly on the defence and security front.
“A lot of assumptions about how the world works are up for grabs right now,” says Saideman. “The government is consumed by the day to day, but we as academics have longer time horizons so we can help think beyond tomorrow.”
In addition to research projects, the network is also focused on outreach. It’s planning a summer training institute for military officers and policy officials, an online portal for Canada’s international relations, a podcast, workshops, an annual conference, internships and exchanges, along with a social and traditional media plan.
The CDSN also hopes to advance knowledge of Canadian defence and security studies, adapting research initiatives to inform policy-making. It will improve cross-sector information and data sharing while improving the defence and security literacy of Canadians.
Source: Carleton Newsroom
KCIS 2019: Keynote Recap
By Bibi Imre-Millei, CIDP Intern
This year, the annual Kingston Conference on International Security (KCIS) focussed on the international order: whether it might change, and where that might lead world politics and security. The liberal international order led by the United States is being challenged not only by states such as Russia and China, but by new ideas, new capabilities, and new perspectives. KCIS set out to address the changes and challenges, and the variety of possible paths moving forward in this changing order. In this post, we focus on the keynotes of KCIS. We outline the insights from the speakers, and the corresponding conversations on Twitter!
Andrea Charron on CBC's The House
Russia and China act differently in the Arctic than in the rest of the world, experts say
By Chris Hall, host of The House
Canada is dealing with "two Russias" and "two Chinas" when it comes to the Arctic, according to two researchers.
Andrea Charron, director of the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at the University of Manitoba, says those two nations have very different approaches in the North, versus their abrasive approach to other multilateral world issues.
Russia, Denmark and Canada are currently jostling to see who gets sovereignty over the North Pole — a decision that will eventually be made by the United Nations.
While jurisdiction is still in question, Charron says Russia has been very cooperative in working with other nations in the Arctic.
"We have the Russia that we're very concerned about in Ukraine, we're very concerned about their activities in Syria, poisonings in the United Kingdom. There is a lot to be worried about," she said.
"But on the other hand when it comes to the Arctic, Russia is going to be essential for search and rescue."
Jennifer Spence, a fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation's Arctic Program, agreed.
Who gets to plant their flag at the top of the world? Andrea Charron, director of the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at the University of Manitoba, and Jennifer Spence, a professor of northern studies at Carleton University, talk about what's at stake and Canada's claims to the North Pole.
She added that China is also looking for partners as it watches the dispute from afar.
"You'll see you see that China's working very heavily with Russia because they have found that they have a very productive partnership that meets both their goals."
Spence added that kind of cooperation between China and Canada likely isn't possible.
"I'm not sure that will happen as easily in Canada especially with a partner with a close relationship with the United States who has its own concerns with China."
Charron said the same view could be applied to China, as to Russia.
"We have two Chinas. We have the China that can be cooperative in the Arctic [and] we have this other China whom we're very concerned about the advantage in the Arctic region."
However, no decisions on who claims the top of the world will be made in the immediate future.
Spence said it's likely going to be 30 to 50 years before any serious conclusion is reached — which could benefit China's political cycle.
"China has a 100 year plan. We have a four year plan, maybe."
