Episode 18: Diversity & Inclusion

In the 18th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and our guest co-host this week, Jean-Christophe Boucher, fellow co-director of the CDSN and lead of the Civil – Military Relations theme, discuss NATO in the Middle East, the Munich Security Conference and Macron’s vision for a European nuclear defense strategy. Our Capstone Preview features Emerging Scholar Victoria Tait [24:30], a PhD candidate in the Political Science Department at Carleton University, who presented her paper at the last inter-university Seminar on Armed Forces and Society-Canada.  Our Feature Interview this week is with Year Ahead guest, Shawn Skelly [33:35] Co-founder of Out in National Security and Commissioner, National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service, 2017-2020. This week’s Peeve is on hiatus as Steve is in Japan this week. Mentioned: Jean-Christophe Boucher and Kim Richard Nossal’s The Politics of War: Canada’s Afghanistan Mission, 2001–14; David Pugliese’s Ottawa Citizen piece, Canadian Forces nixes post about military "bling” but moves ahead with other initiatives to recruit women.

Episode 7: Extreme Embedding

In this episode of Battle Rhythm, Steve and Stef start by discussing the security implications of the recent attack on the Saudi oil facility. They move on to analyze Trump’s decision to cancel Camp David talks with the Taliban and oust John Bolton as National Security Advisor. Returning closer to home, they discuss Trudeau’s interview with comedian, Hasan Minhaj and the impact of foreign policy on the impending federal elections. Steve and Stef also respond to a listener’s question on the role of the Canadian Armed Forces in shaping Canada’s foreign policy. The Emerging Scholar interview is with Aden Dur-e-Aden [21:45] who talks about her fascinating research on Islamist and white supremacist extremism. In the feature interview, Steve speaks with Tone Danielsen [29:15] about her work on embedding with the Norwegian Naval Special Operations Forces, “Making Warriors in a Global Era.” Finally, in Steve's Peeves a word about cancel culture and de-platforming.

Episode 4: Women Influencing Foreign Policy

In this episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef reveals she has been named Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel (HLCol) of the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment. Discussing the news, Steve and Stef ponder the significance of Canada not being invited to join the British fleet amidst tensions with Iran. They go on to discuss Canada's efforts to replace the F18 as well as Turkey’s procurement of Russian air defence systems and its implications for NATO. They also analyse and offer their thoughts on the Heyder Beattie Sexual Misconduct Settlement. This episode features listener questions with responses from Steve and Stef. The Emerging Scholar segment is with Meagan Shoemaker [21:45] who discusses her research on how women’s deployment decisions and motivations are gendered. In the feature interview, Stef speaks with Sylvia Bashevkin [27:45] about her award-winning book Women as Foreign Policy Leaders. Finally, in Steve's Peeves, Steve discusses the problem of sexual misconduct in the US armed forces and the role of Congress on addressing it.

Episode 2: Feminist Futures for the CAF

In this episode of Battle Rhythm, Steve and Stef provide updates on their research projects and recent travel. Discussing the news, Steve offers perspective on the political challenges of current Canada-China tensions and Stef highlights the recent appointment of Brig.-Gen. Jennie Carignan to command the NATO training mission in Iraq. In the emerging scholar segment, Stef speaks with Andrea Lane [8:10] about her research examining the experience of female combat soldiers in Canada. This episode’s featured interview is with Brig.-Gen. Jennie Carignan [18:10] who talks about leadership and affecting change in the military. Finally, in Steve’s Peeve’s, a plea about force.