Tone Danielsen speaks about her work on embedding with the Norwegian Naval Special Operations Forces.

Tone Danielsen is a principal researcher at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment with focus on special operations. Her recent book, Making Warriors in a Global Era describes and analyzes a unit of the Norwegian Special Forces.

Aden Dur-e-Aden talks about her fascinating research on Islamist and white supremacist extremism.

Aden Dur-e-Aden is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto. Her Ph.D. research focuses on comparing the recruits and non-recruits within the radical (far- right and Islamist) groups in Canada through a gendered lens. She is a SSHRC CGS Doctoral Scholar, a Junior Affiliate at the Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society (TSAS), and a Graduate Associate at University of Toronto’s Centre for Critical Development Studies. She obtained her MA and BA in Political Science from UBC.

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.

Nada Bakos about her new book, The Targeter, which chronicles her experiences at the CIA.

Nada Bakos is a highly-regarded national security expert with 20 years of in-depth knowledge base in global intelligence. As a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst, she was a key member of the team charged with analyzing the relationship between Iraq, al-Qaeda and the 9/11 attacks. Subsequently, during the war in Iraq, Ms. Bakos was asked to serve as the Chief Targeting officer tracking the world's most wanted terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. She has appeared as a guest commentator on CNN, ABC, FOX, MSNBC, BBC, CBC and as a resource for journalists at the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and other major international and national media outlets. Ms. Bakos' book, The Targeter, was released in June 2019.

Tanya Irwin talks about her fascinating research on rebel group taxation.

Tanya Irwin is pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Toronto. She holds an MA in International Affairs from the Norman Patterson School, specializing in Conflict Analysis and Resolution in August 2017. She also holds a BA in Politics (International Relations) from Queen's University. She is interested in state-building and the relationship between revenues (natural resources, taxes, foreign aid, industry, agriculture, etc.) and accountability in governance, usually in the Horn of Africa or sub-Saharan Africa.

Episode 6: The Interdisciplinarity of Insurgency / Return of the Students

In this episode of Battle Rhythm, Steve and Stef start by discussing the highlights of their summer and the start of the semester. They move on to a discussion of the recent G7 meeting in Biarritz. In particular, they explore Trump’s approach to such meetings and Macron’s efforts at diplomacy with Iran. In a bonus segment, fitness expert FitCafé - Véronique Malo Fitness offers some tips on adopting good habits at the start of the semester. The Emerging Scholar interview is with Tanya Irwin [18:00] who talks about her fascinating research on rebel group taxation. In the feature interview, Steve speaks with Nada Bakos [27:00] about her new book, “The Targeter”, which chronicles her experiences at the CIA. Finally, in Steve's Peeves, some commentary from Steve on former Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis’s new book tour.

Chris Ankersen considers the possibility that the international system may not bounce back from the Trump era.

Christopher Ankersen is Clinical Associate Professor at the Center for Global Affairs he teaches in the Transnational Security concentration. Prior to joining NYU, Christopher was the Security Advisor for the United Nations system in Thailand. Previously, he held positions at the UN Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; the UN Offices in Geneva and Vienna; and with the Department of Safety and Security in New York, where he was Desk Officer for Iraq in 2005 and 2006.From2002 to 2004, Dr. Ankersen was Ralf Dahrendorf Scholar at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has taught at the LSE, the London Centre for International Relations, King’s College London, Carleton University, and the Royal Military College of Canada and lectured at staff colleges in Canada, Australia, and Denmark. From 2000 to 2005, he acted as a strategy consultant to militaries, governments and private firms in the UK and Canada.From 1988 to 2000, Dr. Ankersen was an officer in the Canadian Forces, serving in Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, including on overseas missions with the UN and NATO. His current research interests include civil military relations, strategic studies and international security. He is particularly interested in the geopolitics and transnational security issues of Southeast Asia. Christopher Ankersen holds a BA (Hons) in International Politics and History from Royal Roads Military College (Canada) and an MSc and PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Alexander Salt explores how lessons learned from military operations in WWII affected US military organizational change.

Alexander Salt is a doctoral candidate at the University of Calgary Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies. His research interests include American Foreign Policy, Technological Innovation, International Relations, Organizational behaviour, Canadian security policy, and Strategic studies.

Episode 5: Learning and Adapting, or Not

This episode of Battle Rhythm is about adaptation and learning in international affairs. In the New and Noteworthy segment, Steve and Stef discuss the ongoing protests in Hong Kong and Canada’s response. They also examine the influence of celebrity diplomacy in light of the diplomatic crisis between Sweden and the US over A$AP Rocky and unpack Trump’s recent expression of interest in Greenland. As September approaches, Steve and Stef highlight what is exciting and challenging about a new academic term. Responding to a listener’s question, they recommend key readings for Canadians interested in defence and security. The Emerging Scholar segment is with Alexander Salt [19:30] whose research explores how lessons learned from military operations in WWII affected US military organizational change. In the feature interview, Steve and Stef speak with Christopher Ankersen [25:45] who considers the possibility that the international system may not bounce back from the Trump era. Finally, in Steve's Peeves, Steve offers his views on the gun debate in America.

Sylvia Bashevkin talks about her award-winning book Women as Foreign Policy Leaders.

Sylvia Bashevkin is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto. Her primary research focus is gender and politics, notably women’s impact as public leaders. She is the author most recently of Women as Foreign Policy Leaders, a comparative study of four American decision-makers since the Reagan years. Her edited volume on women premiers in the Canadian provinces and territories is forthcoming in spring 2019 from UBC Press. Sylvia Bashevkin has served as president of the Canadian Political Science Association, president of the women and politics research section of the American Political Science Association and principal of University College, the founding college of the University of Toronto. Her scholarly distinctions include fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada, the Jill Vickers Prize from the Canadian Political Science Association, the Mildred Schwartz Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Political Science Association, and the Ursula Franklin Gender Studies Award from the Royal Society.

Meagan Shoemaker discusses her research on how women’s deployment decisions and motivations are gendered.

Meaghan Shoemaker is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Studies at Queens University. Her research interests include NATO, human security, veterans, gender.

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.

Sara Moller talks NATO in the Trump era.

Sara Bjerg Moller is an Assistant Professor at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point. Her research interests include military interventions, alliances, and grand strategy. She uses a variety of methods to investigate the group dynamics and interplay of conflict and cooperation in wartime.

Sarah Greco speaks about her fascinating PhD dissertation on the salience of soft power mechanisms in power transitions amongst great power rivals.

Sara Greco is a doctoral candidate of political studies at Queen’s University, an R.S. McLaughlin Graduate Fellow, and a Student Fellow at the Centre for International and Defence Policy. Her most recent article, co-authored with Stéfanie von Hlatky, is entitled “Soft Contributions are Hard Commitments: NATO and Canada’s Global Security Agenda" and has been published in Canadian Foreign Policy Journal.

Episode 3: NATO, Boston for Berlin

In this episode of Battle Rhythm, Steve and Stef provide updates on their current research projects and recent travel to Israel (Steve) and Holland (Stef). Discussing the news, Steve and Stef talk about Secretary General of NATO, General Stoltenberg’s recent visit to Canada and Canada’s contributions to NATO. They also discuss the recent accidental disclosure of location of U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe. In the emerging scholar segment, Stef speaks with Sara Greco [21:15] about her fascinating PhD dissertation on the salience of soft power mechanisms in power transitions amongst great power rivals, “The erosion of American diplomacy.” This episode’s featured interview is with Sara Bjerg Moller [31:30] who talks NATO in the Trump era. Finally, in Steve’s Peeve’s, Steve argues that presidential tweets matter!

Brig.-Gen. Jennie Carignan talks about leadership and affecting change in the military.

Brigadier-General Jennie Carignan is currently the Commander 2nd Canadian Division and Joint Task Force (East) and was recently promoted to Major-Gen. and will take over the command of the NATO training mission in Iraq this fall. Commissioned into the Canadian Military Engineers in 1990, hercommand appointments include Commanding Officer of 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, Commandant of the Task Force Kandahar Engineer Regiment and Commandant of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean. Overseas, she served in deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Golan Heights, and Kandahar (Afghanistan). BGen Carignan earned a Master's degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies. She is a graduate of the National Security Studies Programme and earned a Master’s degree in business administration from Université Laval. BGen Carignan is the recipient of the Order of Military Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. She received the prestigious Gloire de l'Escolle medal which recognizes graduates from Université Laval who have distinguished themselves professionally and in service to their communities. She was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Administration from Université Laval.

Andrea Lane speaks about her research examining the experience of female combat soldiers in Canada.

Andrea Lane is a PhD Candidate in Political Science at Dalhousie University. She holds a BA (Hons) in Political Science from Dalhousie, and an MA in International Affairs from Carleton (NPSIA,) with previous studies in English Literature and Classics. Her MA thesis tested a theory of differential mobilization into non-Islamic terrorism, while her undergraduate thesis explored civil-military tension in the Auditor General’s review of defence procurement in Canada. Andrea’s research interests include maritime security, military cultures, civil-military relations, defence policy and procurement, gender in security, and Canadian foreign policy.

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.

James Anderson is a US Air Force intelligence officer and Fulbright Scholar on US-Canada security relations.

James Anderson is a Visiting Fulbright Fellow in Canadian-American relations at the Centre for International and Defence Policy (CIDP). He is concurrently working on a M.A. in Political Studies at Queen’s University. His research interests include US foreign policy, power transition theory, Canada-US and Canada-China relations. Against the backdrop of a rising China, James seeks to examine whether a historical inquiry of the formative processes of US-Canada relations can inform the future of Canada-China relations in the event that China supplants the US as the world’s ranking power. His keen interests in political-military affairs and veteran affairs led to past fellowships with the Washington, D.C. chapter Truman Project’s Defense Council (2018) and the Veterans in Global Leadership (2017). Furthermore, James was listed on the 2016 South Carolina Black Pages Top 20 Under 40 list for his role in uniting and empowering veteran graduates for advocacy in local and national initiatives at his alma mater. James holds a M.A. in International Relations from American University and B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Carolina.

Dr. Dan Drezner is a professor of International Politics at Tufts University and Washington Post Columnist who offers his perspective on the frayed state of the liberal international order.

Daniel W. Drezner is professor of international politics, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a contributing editor at The Washington Post. Prior to joining The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, he taught at the University of Chicago and the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has previously held positions with Civic Education Project, the RAND Corporation and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and received fellowships from the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Council on Foreign Relations, and Harvard University. Drezner has written five books, including "All Politics is Global" and "Theories of International Politics and Zombies," and edited two others, including "Avoiding Trivia." He has published articles in numerous scholarly journals as well as in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Politico, and Foreign Affairs, and has been a contributing editor for Foreign Policy and The National Interest. He received his B.A. in political economy from Williams College and an M.A. in economics and Ph.D. in political science from Stanford University. His blog for Foreign Policy magazine was named by TIME as one of the 25 best blogs of 2012, and he currently writes the Spoiler Alerts blog for The Washington Post.