2013 Papers

Homegrown Jihadists and the Evolution of al-Qaeda

by Barry Cooper

A new paper from Barry Cooper, CDFAI Senior Fellow and a professor of political science at the University of Calgary shows that an accurate assessment of the threat posed by al-Qaeda to Western interests and governments has been hampered by imprecise language and an absence of historical memory; however, we need to maintain a realistic understanding of the reduced nature of the threat that al-Qaeda can make to our interests.  

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2012 Papers

A Short Primer to Canada and the UN

by Colin Roberson

Asia-Pacific: Let’s Get Back in the Ring

by Hugh Stephens

In answer to the question, is it time for Canada to reorient itself from a predominately Euro-centric nation to a nation with a more significant Asia Pacific presence? Hugh Stephens, Principal of Trans-Pacific Connections, says yes - and the time to act is now.  

Defence After the Recession
by David Perry

This Policy Paper, from David Perry, concludes that cuts to defence spending in the 2012 Federal Budget will target operations and maintenance and it will be necessary to restore the balance between personnel, equipment, infrastructure and readiness sooner, rather than later as preserving "hollow" forces lacking the requisite operations and maintenance funding to conduct operations will make little sense over time.   

Should Brazil be "Special" for Canada?

by Jean Daudelin

In this new paper policy paper, Jean Daudelin, Assistant Professor with the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, examines Brazil's place in the world. As Brazil emerges as a relatively powerful and influential global player, shouldn't Canada try to build that increasingly fluid relationship into a strategic partnership? Daudelin concludes that such an option has little appeal and in fact few chances of success.

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2011 Papers

Budget 2011: Restraining Growth in Defence Spending

by Brian MacDonald

In this Policy Paper Brian Macdonald, President of Strategic Insight Planning and Communications, contends that the deep seated fear of massive cuts to defence spending being felt within the defence community may be exaggerated. Instead the 2011 budget will seek to prioritize defence spending without slashing the budget.

Farewell to the GWOT: What we Learned from the Global War on Terror

by Brian Flemming

In a new Policy Paper, Brian Flemming, Founding CEO and Chair of CATSA and founding member of the Federal Government’s Advisory Council on National Security, as well as Research Fellow with the Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute, examines the repercussions of the Global War on Terror.

Foreign Policy in the Election
by Derek Burney

This new Policy Paper, from CDFAI Senior Research Fellow Derek Burney, contends that foreign policy rarely plays a major role in Canadian elections and 2011 will be no exception. He stipulates that the major differentiation between the Liberals and the Conservatives will be on the purchase of new fighter aircraft, but regardless of the election "the main lines of Canadian foreign policy – the primacy of Canada-US relations, the need for greater attention to the Emerging Power and the perennial pursuit for balance between promoting values and defending interests – are unlikely to change significantly"

Getting Past the Bilateral-Trilateral Debate: A Pragmatic Functionalist Approach to North America by Brian Bow

Brian Bow, Associate Professor of Political Science at Dalhousie University, reviews and rejects some of the most common arguments for greater engagement with Mexico and trilateral diplomacy.  

Marshall Plan Needed for Middle East
by Michael Bell

A new Policy Paper from Michael Bell, the Paul Martin Senior Scholar on International Diplomacy with the University of Windsor, investigates the profound change that is taking place in the Middle East at this time. He reminds the West that it will be essential to our own interests, and theirs, to provide aid and assistance as the region faces a gamut of challenges.    

The New Terrorism: Understanding Yemen
by David Carment

In this new Policy Paper, David Carment, CDFAI  Research Fellow, reviews the situation in Yemen. Carment offers an explanation for the current turmoil within the region and suggests that if something is not done to bring stability to the region soon, the state will soon fail

The Panda Bear Readies to Meet the Polar Bear: China Debates and Formulates Foreign Policy Towards Arctic Affairs and Canada’s Arctic Sovereignty 
by David Curtis Wright  

A new Policy Paper from Dr. David Curtis Wright, CDFAI Research Fellow and Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Calgary, shows that China is now the latest major country to be annoyed with Canada over the Northwest Passage. With China's meteoric rise in the back of the minds of most world leaders, Canada must be aware of the impact China's Arctic policy will have on our country.   

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