CDSN Podcast Network

Welcome to a new episode of Battle Rhythm, with co-host Anessa L. Kimball, Ph.D., Professor at Université Laval; Steve Saideman and Anessa discuss Canada’s new National Security Strategy, The Plan for a Stronger Canada: National Security for Canadians; and what it means for the CAF to defend Canada and it’s ‘interests”, along with implications for the Defence Investment strategy and NORAD modernization efforts.

Today’s feature interview is with Dr. Stephanie Bonnes, Stephanie Bonnes is the Oskar Schindler Humanities Endowed Associate Professor of Criminal Justice & Criminology at the University of New Haven. Her research is qualitative and broadly focuses on gender, the intersections of victimization, identity, inequality, violence, and organizations. Her book Hardship Duty: Women’s Experiences with Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, and Discrimination in the U.S. Military, focuses on the puzzle of how sexual abuse remains highly prevalent in an organization that has dynamic policies, prevention strategies, and evolving education programs designed to combat sexual violence. Drawing primarily on in-depth interviews with fifty servicewomen, Hardship Duty uncovers how masculinity and misogyny are entangled in the organization’s structure, policies, values, physical spaces, and culture in ways that create sexual abuse vulnerability.

Her scholarship on military harassment and sexual violence has won awards from the Sociologists for Women in Society, the Sex and Gender Section and the Peace, War, and Social Conflict Section at the American Sociological Association, The Victimology Section at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, The Crime & Justice Division at the Society for the Study of Social Problems, as well as the Division of Feminist Criminology and the Division of Victimology at the American Society of Criminology. Her work has been published in American Sociological Review, Gender & Society, Feminist Criminology, and Violence Against Women as well as media outlets such as the Washington Post. In 2026, she was recognized as a Harry Frank Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar.

Her work has been funded by the American Council of Learned Societies, the American Political Science Association, and The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation.

Personal Website: www.stephaniembonnes.com

Welcome to a new episode of Battle Rhythm, with co-hosts Dr. Wendy H. Wong (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair at the University of British Columbia) and Steve Saideman. Steve and Wendy discuss Alberta Referendum results; Elon Musk's Starshield and Ukraine; along with how to regulate social media companies through different accountability tools. Today’s feature interview is also with co-host of the Battle Rhythm, Dr. Wendy Wong. Wendy discusses international cooperative incentives for big tech companies to behave more responsibly in addition to punishment once trust (and law) have been broken.

Wendy H. Wong studies global governance. She is particularly attentive to how non-state actors (e.g. nongovernmental organizations, civil society actors, social movements, corporations) govern at the global and domestic levels. Her areas of interest are emerging technologies like AI, Big Data, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. Dr. Wong has written two award-winning books, penned dozens of peer-reviewed articles and chapters, and has contributed to outlets such as The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, and The Conversation. She has been awarded grants from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, among other granting agencies.

Websites

www.wendyhwong.com

All the Stars We Cannot See

This installation is designed for a 270-degree panoramic screen, and opened to the public in April 2022, at the Visualization & Emerging Media Studio at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Canada. This work has also been presented at EVA London 2021, and Technarte Bilbao 2022. The artwork is an immersive experience that makes visible a veiled political space.

https://allthestarswecannotsee.space/

Welcome to Episode 3 of Unequal Dialogues, part of the CDSN Podcast Network. In this episode, host Dr. Manaswini Ramkumar is joined by Lucas Schleusener to examine the intricacies and dynamics of civil-military relations.

Lucas F. Schleusener is a writer, educator, and national security strategist whose work examines service, institutional trust, democratic legitimacy, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion in national security institutions. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Out in National Security (ONS), where he leads a global community of LGBTQIA+ national security and foreign policy professionals

Under his leadership, ONS has grown into a national professional association and advocacy organization for LGBTQIA+ people working across defense, diplomacy, intelligence, foreign policy, and public service. Its work combines community-building, leadership development, policy advocacy, and public engagement, with a particular focus on strengthening the institutions in which LGBTQIA+ Americans serve. Schleusener has led ONS’s work on military and veterans policy, the legacy of the Lavender Scare, and the protection of LGBTQIA+ public servants facing renewed political and institutional pressure.

Earlier in his career, Schleusener served as Speechwriter to three U.S. Secretaries of Defense, helping shape the Department’s message during a period of significant strategic and cultural change. He contributed to communications around the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the extension of full equity to lesbian, gay, and bisexual servicemembers, partners, and families, the Women in Service Review that opened all combat roles to women, and the end of the first ban on open transgender military service. He also served in the Obama White House, worked on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign, and began his career in the office of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

In 2026, Schleusener was selected as a 2026–2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader, joining a national cohort of leaders recognized for their commitment to advancing the common good.. His other honors include the Knights Out Leadership Award at West Point, the Award for Excellence from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, and recognition on Washingtonian magazine’s “500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy” list in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

A frequent speaker and commentator, Schleusener has written for Foreign Policy, Defense One, The Hill, Just Security, Law360, Inkstick, and the Canadian Journal of Human Rights. His media appearances include FedUpward, Press the Button, the Canadian Defence and Security Network’s Battle Rhythm, Gayish, This Queer Book Saved My Life!, The Gaily Show, and Queer News. He has presented at EuroPride 2025, the Canadian Defence and Security Network Summer Institute, and the 2025 Ruby Sachs Symposium on Global 2SLGBTQI+ Legal Advocacy at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. His writing and research focus on institutional trust, military service, democratic legitimacy, LGBTQIA+ citizenship, and the relationship between inclusion and national security effectiveness.

Schleusener holds an M.A. in Middle East Studies from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in History and International Affairs from Wesleyan University. He has studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the American University in Cairo, is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and previously served as Chairman of the Board of No One Left Behind

Listen in as they explore critical issues influencing military and civilian engagements, analyze recent developments, and share insights from field experts. Whether you're a political science enthusiast, a defense professional, or simply intrigued by the topic, this episode provides valuable viewpoints.

Join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments below. Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!

Unequal Dialogues is part of the Civil Military Relations Network and is funded by a SSHRC partnership Grant.

Welcome to a new episode of Battle Rhythm with co-host Dr. Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mount Allison University. Steve and Thomas discuss the RAF Fairford incident that led to five UK nationals being arrested and later released; Canadian decisions on developing anti-drone capabilities; and a discussion of retired former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre as he has recently published his memoir, Into the Breach: A Soldier’s Journey By Wayne Eyre.

Today’s Feature Interview is with Dr. Vanessa Brown as she hosts the upcoming Inter University Seminar on the Armed Forces in Society - Canada Conference in Ottawa from Oct 23-25th. Vanessa Brown holds a PhD in Sociology from Carleton University. Her PhD thesis investigates the integration of gender and cultural perspectives in Professional Military Education and its relationship to organizational culture change. Dr Brown is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Defence Studies at Canadian Forces College. Dr. Brown assumes a variety of defense research and advisory roles. Dr. Brown is an Adjunct Professor at the Inter-American Defense College in Washington DC and serves as Program Chair for Canada’s Inter-University Seminar on the Armed Forces and Society. In recent years Dr. Brown was an Assistant Professor with the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security developing curriculum and research on Mainstreaming Gender Perspectives in Operations for the United Nations Chief Heads of Defense Network on Women, Peace and Security. Additionally, Dr. Brown was the first Gender Advisor to Commander of the Canadian Defence Academy. Dr. Brown has received a commendation from the Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff for her commissioned report which applied gender-based and intersectional analysis to military education and culture at Canadian Forces College. Dr. Brown teaches in the areas of leadership, military sociology, and institutional policy with a focus on gender and cultural equity. Her current research focuses on organizational culture change, advancing gender and intersectional perspectives in and through defence organizations, and the use of military Gender Advisors and Gender Focal Points to create transformational change institutionally and operationally. Dr. Brown is also researching gender-based violence facilitated by small arms and its relationship to international law, norms and policy on arms trade.

More information on IUS-C and registration here: https://www.iusafs.org/ius-canada-region/

News:

https://bbc.com/news/articles/cjwyz59k5y75o

https://globalnews.ca/news/12077678/canadian-military-anti-drone-defences/

https://globalnews.ca/news/12075653/canadian-forces-rebuilding-wayne-eyre/

Fighting Spirit: The Profession of Arms in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/fighting-spirit.html

Book Launch - Dr. Thomas Hughes: The Department of Politics & International Relations invites you to attend the book launch of Dr. Thomas Hughes’ new book entitled Military Exercises and Threat Perception in Europe: NATO, Russia, and the Politics of War Games, 1975-2018 (Routledge, 2026). Dr. Hughes will talk about the book, entertain questions/comments, and then snacks and drinks will be enjoyed informally. Organization: POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT. Event Locator: 2026-AASZMF. Thursday, October 8, 2026, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Windsor Hall Grand Room, Mount Allison University (Sackville, NB)

Welcome to a new episode of Battle Rhythm with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior Fellow at GPSIA, University of Ottawa; Artur and Steve Saideman discuss aging punks and the meaning of EU associate membership for Canada, while Artur provides insights on the benefits of a closer Canada-Norway relationship.

In today’s feature interview, Steve talks to his Colleague Michael Manulak who is writing a new book on the history of the League of Nations, to be published by Penguin in 2027. The book argues that the League was far more successful and consequential than its reputation suggests. It stopped wars, solved economic crises, and aided refugees. Because of its successes, it established practices and institutions that later shaped the United Nations. Its demise offers a stark cautionary tale for our current moment: international order cannot be defended when states are unwilling to assume the responsibilities and costs of collective action.

He also has a new article in Policy Magazine responding to Mark Carney and Alexander Stubb’s recent Economist essay on “values-based realism.” Arguing that international institutions are not a “hopeful” alternative to realism—they are the essential mechanism for making it sustainable.

You can read the full article here: https://www.policymagazine.ca/the-false-choice-behind-values-based-realism/

Welcome to a new academic term and a new episode of Battle Rhythm, Steve Saideman and Dr. Linna Tam-Seto (Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto) discuss updates on civil military relations from the American Political Sciences Association (APSA) Conference in Boston; why Canada is turning its back on our peacekeeping traditions; along with a lesson in leadership from Gen. Jennie Carignan while Hegseth leaves his troops stranded aboard the USS Lincoln along with commemorating 9/11. For today’s feature interview, Linna speaks with Surgeon General MGen Scott Malcolm about health security cooperation. Both Dr. Tam-Seto and MGen Malcolm will be speaking at CIMVHR’s Annual Forum from October 19-21, 2026 – in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Welcome to a new episode of Battle Rhythm, with co-host Anessa L. Kimball, Ph.D., Professor at Université Laval; Steve Saideman and Anessa discuss the Canada - US trade war and its implications for defence, a review of the 2026 Summer Institute including the briefing from NDHQ, along with a NATO Summit post mortem.

For today’s feature interview, Anessa Interviews 4 Student Delegates about their Model NATO experience, Emma Breton-Chénier, Xavier Antonuk, Adrien Risch, Amal Belhaj share the highlights and opportunities of participating in this international learning experience.

The Laval University Delegation for NATO Simulation, founded in 2007, is mandated to represent Laval University at the International Model NATO, which takes place annually in Washington DC. These events bring together around a hundred students from various universities, mainly North American, who represent the different member countries of the organization. The delegates embody the diplomats of the Member State they represent through various committees and address various topics submitted to the agenda by the organizers.

This simulation presents an incredible opportunity to study the structure and functioning of NATO, as well as to better understand the various challenges and problems the organization faces. It also allows us to learn more about the states they represent.

Welcome to the first episode of “Unequal Dialogues,” a podcast on civil-military relations by the Civil-Military Relations Network. Hosted by Dr. Manaswini Ramkumar, this episode features Dr. Stephen Saideman discussing the evolution from the Canadian Defence and Security Network to the Civil-Military Relations Network. We explore the complexities of civil-military relations, the importance of maintaining democratic norms, and the challenges posed by political and military dynamics worldwide. This engaging dialogue aims to inform and spark conversation on the vital role of civil oversight in military affairs. Join us in understanding the intricate relationship between civil authorities and military forces.

This episode is brought to you by the 9 of Spades, to view all the cards and learn more, visit our partner’s website: the Centre for Military Ethics at Kings College London. www.militaryethics.uk/en/playing-cards/military/spades/9

For further reading into this topic, we recommend the book: Supreme Command: Soldiers, Statesmen, and Leadership in Wartime by Eliot A. Cohen

Welcome to a new episode of Battle Rhythm with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior Fellow GPSIA, University of Ottawa; Artur and Steve Saideman discuss Canadian spies and security clearances, recruitment gains for the Canadian Armed Forces and what may be motivating more Canadians to join. For today’s feature Interview, Steve speaks with Al Vigier, CEO of Caseway.

Caseway was founded by Alistair Vigier, a former Canadian Army soldier turned legal-tech entrepreneur. Raised in a military family, Alistair spent seven years in the Canadian Armed Forces, including passing pre-selection for JTF2. That experience instilled a discipline-first mindset and a bias toward action—qualities that continue to define Caseway’s culture. After an injury ended his military career, Alistair transitioned into the legal world, working as a law firm business development manager. There, he helped grow a firm’s revenue to over $3.5M and earned BC Business 30 Under 30 recognition. But he also saw how resistant the legal industry was to change. That frustration led him to entrepreneurship.

In 2021, Alistair founded Clearway, which became the largest lawyer-review platform in Canada and the UK, serving hundreds of thousands of users per month. That experience revealed an even bigger opportunity: legal research itself was the bottleneck. In September 2024, he founded Caseway with a clear vision—to use technology to make legal information radically more accessible.

Welcome to a new episode of Battle Rhythm with co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mount Allison University. Steve and Thomas discuss UK politics and the upcoming NATO Summit along with submarine procurement and the progress on a Defence, Security and Resilience Bank in Canada (or elsewhere). Today’s feature interview is with CDSN Post-Doctoral Fellow, Dr. Sanjida Amin.

Sanjida Amin is the CDSN Postdoctoral Fellow (2025–2026) at the Centre for International and Defence Policy (CIDP) at Queen’s University. She is currently completing her PhD in Political Science at the University of Toronto, where her research focuses on foreign sponsorship of insurgent groups, insurgent-state relations, and the international dimensions of civil war.

Her book project examines how external support from foreign states shapes internal conflict dynamics, particularly by driving insurgent fragmentation during peace negotiations. Her broader research interests include international peacebuilding, alliance politics, and Canadian foreign and defense policy. Her current postdoctoral project investigates how U.S.-Canada security relations influence Canada’s evolving engagement with UN peacekeeping, situating this within the broader context of multilateralism and shifting global security priorities.

Sanjida’s research has been supported by Fulbright Canada, the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (SSHRC), and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. She aims to contribute to more effective peacebuilding and mediation strategies in protracted conflicts, as well as to informed debates on Canadian international security policy.