What does the war in Ukraine mean for Russian foreign policy under President Vladimir Putin and how is it being leveraged to drive a wedge between “the West and the Rest”? How did the Cold War-era great power competition between the United States and the former Soviet Union influence Putin’s worldview and inform his foreign policy ambitions? 

Dr. Angela Stent traces the underpinnings of contemporary Russian foreign policy under Putin to their origins in the Cold War and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union and dissects how Putin views Russia through the lens of its history of competition and confrontation with United States. Stent contends that the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union was never truly accepted as a result of its own weaknesses by some of those in its administration, and that ideations of its former glory fuel a desire to restore its great power status, pursued by means of war and frozen conflicts.

Dr. Angela Stent is a distinguished expert on Russian foreign policy and has published several award-winning books on the subject, including her latest book, Putin’s World: Russia Against the West and With the Rest, for which she won the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy’s prize for the best book on U.S.-Russian Relations. Dr. Stent is senior adviser to the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies and professor emerita of government and foreign service at Georgetown University. She is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and co-chairs its Hewett Forum on Post-Soviet Affairs. From 2004-2006 she served as national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council. From 1999 to 2001 she served in the Office of Policy Planning at the U.S. Department of State.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

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In this week’s episode, J. Michael Cole, Jude Blanchette, Shelley Rigger, and David Sacks join us to discuss the history of Cross-Strait relations, Taiwan’s military and logistical capabilities, the role of the United States in deterring conflict in the Taiwan Strait, CCP influence strategies and PLA activities in the Taiwan strait, and Taiwan’s strategic significance to the PRC. The panel dissects the defence capabilities needed by Taiwan in response to China's military posture, the Chinese Communist Party's use of political warfare, sharp power, and ideological narratives in shaping international order and influencing Taiwan.

J. Michael Cole discusses various strategies employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under Xi Jinping, extending beyond military capabilities to include covert influence through economic leverage and engagement. Jude Blanchette focuses on China's strategic interest in Taiwan, Taiwan’s ideological significance for the Communist Party, as well as the reunification narrative, which Beijing sees as crucial to rectifying historical humiliations. 

Shelley Rigger provides a historical backdrop of cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan, emphasizing the stark disparities in their perceptions of key events. David Sacks argues that Taiwan, confronted by China's formidable military capabilities, must invest in a broad spectrum of defence capabilities. He also stresses the global implications of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing the economic, geopolitical, and democratic consequences.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

Learn more: CDA Institute

As the prospect of a Trump or a MAGA leader returning to the White House looms, how can Canada proactively safeguard its national security amidst potential trade turmoil? What implications would a MAGA-led America have on global alliances like NATO and, specifically, Canada's strategic positioning?

Kim Nossal dissects the potential ripple effects of a MAGA resurgence, particularly under Donald Trump, touching on the role of trade in Canada's national security concerns, emphasizing the potential fallout of an "America First" agenda and the personal vendettas that may ensue. MAGA loyalists infiltrating key positions in the American state apparatus could potentially have profound consequences for American democracy and American allies. The consequences are far-reaching, potentially altering the landscape of international relations and reshaping global security alliances.

Nossal anticipates a shift in American foreign policy under a MAGA administration, predicting potential withdrawals from international commitments such as NATO. This would also have indirect impacts on Canada's strategic interests, both in Europe and the Western Pacific. Canada must navigate these challenges strategically and proactively.

Kim Richard Nossal, a distinguished academic and expert in international relations, has left an indelible mark on Canadian academia. Holding a PhD from the University of Toronto, Nossal's career spans decades, with key roles at McMaster University and Queen’s University. His editorial leadership and academic contributions, notably in Canadian foreign policy and international affairs, have garnered recognition, including an honorary doctorate from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2017.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

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A US criminal indictment recently revealed an alleged plot connected to the Indian government to carry out multiple assassinations in North America. The indictment accuses Indian national Nikhil Gupta of attempting to arrange a killing in New York, linked to a case that strained Canada-India relations. The targets included Sikh separatist activists, sparking concerns about potential implications for India's Sikh minority and prompting high-level inquiries from the Indian government.

In this week’s episode, Lisa Curtis and Sumit Ganguly joined us to discuss these recent assassination allegations and their consequences for U.S-India relations, India’s standing in geopolitics, Indian foreign policy, and Indo-Pacific security.

Lisa Curtis, of the Center for New American Security (CNAS), discusses the geopolitical implications and India's handling of the allegations, which potentially pose questions about India's commitment to democracy and potentially impact on US-India collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, notably in countering China.

Dr. Sumit Ganguly, Indiana University, highlights diplomatic challenges, India's role in the Indo-Pacific, and domestic concerns related to secularism. The incident has introduced a degree of friction to US-India relations, especially as India's global significance continues to grow. Responses to respective Canadian and US allegations have also revealed the varying importance of these relationships, as well as the general position of all three parties in the global sphere.

Major challenges for India include countering the China threat, maintaining domestic stability, and developing a coherent strategy for dealing with its neighbors. Domestically, India faces challenges regarding its commitment to secularism.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

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In the wake of allegations made by Mr. Spavor and their implications for Canadian security, this panel delves into the intricacies of the Global Security Reporting Program (GSRP) and whether it requires more accountability and oversight. 

Artur Wilczynski, Wesley Wark, and Philippe Lagassé discuss Spavor’s allegations against the GSRP, the evolution of the program in the context of emerging global threats, concerns raised regarding transparency and accountability, the difference between foreign intelligence collection and diplomatic reporting, strengthening cooperation between, GSRP, CSIS, and the foreign ministry, as well as the implications for placing the program on a statutory footing.

The panel discussed the creation and purpose of the GSRP post-9/11, highlighting its role in providing diplomatic reporting on diverse security issues globally. The diplomatic reporting process involved officers openly engaging with embassy contacts, focusing on country-specific topics. 

The discussion also delved into allegations by Mr. Spavor and their potential implications for Canadian security. The panel also explored existing accountability and oversight mechanisms, debated the need for statutory changes, and considered the possibility of establishing a Foreign Intelligence Service, emphasizing the importance of defining GSRP's role before determining a legal framework.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

Learn more: CDA Institute