Battle Rhythm — CDSN-RCDS

Meet the hosts of Battle Rhythm:

Stephen M. Saideman

Director of the CDSN-RCDS and Paterson Chair in International Affairs at Carleton University. His research focuses on NATO, civil-military relations, and international security.

Anessa Kimball (They/Them)

Anessa L. Kimball is an associate professor of political science at Université Laval where They have been on the faculty since 2006. They received their doctoral degree in political science from Binghamton University, SUNY, after earning a BA in international relations (2000) from Kent State University, OH. Dr. Kimball employs principally quantitative methods in the study of international security cooperation and the design of security institutions using rationalist and institutionalist approaches. They teach courses on international relations theory, international institutions, U.S. Foreign Policy, and security issues as well as political science methodology. Dr. Kimball’s research on international alliances has appeared in the Journal of Peace Research and They have published numerous chapters in edited volumes with university presses, most recently on NORAD institutional adaptation. Dr. Kimball’s theoretical model of legalization was developed from an original a dataset of Canadian-US defense and security agreements from 1950-2005 and appears in the pages of International Journal. They are also a member of the Centre pour la sécurité internationale at the École supérieure des études internationales at Université Laval.

Artur Wilczynski (He/him)

Dedicated National Security expert and former diplomat, Arthur Wilczynski has served as Canada’s Ambassador to Norway. Arthur is a Canadian Public Servant with over 25 years of diverse senior leadership experience in several Federal Departments and Agencies. As the Director of International Relations at Canadian Heritage, Arthur played a key role in the negotiation of the UNESCO Conventions on Cultural Diversity and Against Doping in Sport. At Public Safety Canada, he was one of the lead negotiators of Beyond the Border - Canada's perimeter security and prosperity agreement with the United States. Arthur also played a coordinating role on Public Safety portfolio civilian capacity building in Afghanistan and led the establishment of the department's first International Strategic Framework.

Over the past 8 years his work has focused on diplomacy and international engagement culminating in his appointment as Ambassador to Norway. He is pleased to now be a member of Canada’s security and intelligence community.

Dr. Linna Tam-Seto

Dr. Linna Tam-Seto is Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Science (Queen’s), Master of Science, Post-Professional Occupational Therapy (Dalhousie), Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy (Queen’s), and Bachelor of Arts, Women’s Studies (Queen’s). She is a registered occupational therapist with experience working in child, adolescent, and family mental health and supporting evidence-based professional practice. Dr. Tam-Seto was the inaugural Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Canadian Defence and Security Network completing her work at the Centre for International and Defence Policy (Queen’s) developing a mentorship program aimed at supporting women in the Canadian Armed Forces. She led the Military Health and Wellbeing Research Group in the Trauma and Recovery Research Unit (McMaster) and a Research Scientist with the Families Matter Research Group. Dr. Tam-Seto’s research interests include understanding the health and well-being of Canada’s military members, Veterans, public safety personnel, and their families with a focus on life transitions and changes.

Dr. Thomas Hughes

I received my doctorate from Queen's University, where I specialized in International Relations, International Security, and Comparative Politics, and my Master's Degree from the University of Denver. Prior to taking the McKenna Postdoctoral Fellowship, I was the Canadian Defence and Security Network Postdoctoral Fellow, where I worked primarily on Arctic defence policy. My dissertation examined the political effects of military exercises in Europe since 1975, exploring how "threat" is understood, and focusing on the role of openness and transparency in building relationships. My current research and teaching interests are in international security, with particular emphasis on Arctic politics, North American and European defence policy, and confidence-building measures.

Dr. Wendy Wong

I am currently Professor of Political Science and Principal's Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan (located on Sylix Okanagan Nation Territory). I am the author of the forthcoming book, We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age, to be published by MIT Press in October. I have written two other award-winning books, Internal Affairs and The Authority Trap (with Sarah S. Stroup), both published by Cornell University Press. I have penned dozens of peer-reviewed articles and chapters, and have appeared in outlets such as the CBC, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, and The Conversation. I have been awarded grants from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, among other granting agencies.

Thank you to Kingston, ON based band Tighten Up for our theme music!

ask us questions! send us comments!

Episode 3.23: Civil Wars

4 December 2024

In episode 23 of Battle Rhythm season 3, with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior Fellow GPSIA, University of Ottawa; Artur and Steve Saideman discuss the Halifax Security Forum debate about women in combat roles, hashtag#Trump, hashtag#Trudeau, hashtag#Tariffs and US asylum seekers along with martial law in South Korea. Today's feature interview is with Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security researcher Dr. Dustin Johnson and Mount Saint Vincent University's Dr. Catherine Baillie Abidi on their recent volume of Civil Wars, Volume 26, Issue 3 (2024): https://lnkd.in/gPJh3Qh7

Dr. Catherine Baillie Abidi is a scholarly practitioner in the Department of Child and Youth Study at Mount Saint Vincent University and has specialized in children and armed conflict for over two decades. She has worked in collaboration with dozens of Defence Forces and with international organizations such as the United Nations, Red Cross, and the International Labour Organization. She has over twenty publications in the field of peace and security and was the editor of Allons-y: Journal of Children, Peace and Security for five years. Dr. Baillie Abidi was awarded a Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Governor General of Canada for her work in children, peace and security. At Mount Saint Vincent, she is leading research focused on conflict-related early warning, moral injury, and children and youth as agents of peace. Dr. Baillie Abidi is also the Co-Director of the Children, Peace and Security International Network, an active and collaborative group of international scholars, committed to researching inter-disciplinary, community-based, inclusive, and prevention-oriented approaches for protecting children and preventing their use in violence.

Dr. Dustin Johnson, PhD Johnson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Defence Studies at the Royal Military College of Canada, and he is based within the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security at the Canadian Defence Academy, where he researches child protection and gender dynamics in armed conflict and peacekeeping with a focus on Ukraine. He holds a PhD in peace and development studies from the School of Global Studies at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and has previously published in journals such as International Peacekeeping, Civil Wars, and Global Responsibility to Protect.

Episode 3.22: NATO Diplomacy with SNMG2 Comdr, Cmdre Matthew Coates

20 November 2024

In the twenty-second episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 3, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss upcoming NATO Parliamentary meetings in Montreal, communications espionage in European waters and Canadian implications for Trump’s cabinet picks. Today's feature interview is with Cmdre Matthew Coates.

A native of Halifax Nova Scotia, Cmdre Coates is a Naval Warfare Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada Kingston, with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1998, and from Salve Regina University in 2010 with a Masters in Management.
Cmdre Coates has held numerous staff and sea-going appointments, deploying multiple times on operations around the globe. Memorable highlights include a 2011 deployment as Executive Officer in HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN in support of NATO operations off the coast of Libya, and his appointment in 2013 as the Commanding Officer of HMCS IROQUOIS, a Tribal Class Destroyer. After his time in IROQUOIS he assumed command of Sea Training Atlantic where he was responsible for at-sea ship readiness and certification training. He is a two-time graduate of the United States Naval War College in Newport Rhode Island where he attended the Naval Staff College (class of 2010) and Naval Command College (class of 2017). In July 2017, he assumed the post of Director Naval Strategy, providing Force Development guidance in support of the future Navy. During this time Cmdre Coates was selected to participate in the RIMPAC 2018 Executive Steering Committee, responsible for planning major aspects of the multi-national exercise. He then deployed with the Chilean Navy as Deputy to the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander for the exercise. In July 2019, he assumed the post of Director Human Rights and Diversity within Chief Military Personnel, working to ensure the Canadian Armed Forces, along with the Defence Team, are an inclusive, equitable and diverse organization. After two rewarding and educational years in CMP, he returned to Navy lines, moving to Victoria BC to take up the appointment as Commander, Naval Personnel and Training Group. Evolving the Naval Training System to be best positioned to meet the needs of the RCN’s future fleet, Cmdre Coates completed three busy years prior to his appointment as Commander Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, during a ceremony 1 July 2024 in Toulon, France. When not at work, Matthew and his wife Meghan, enjoy time camping with their two boys, and cheering them on at the ball park and hockey arena.

Episode 3.21: The Cookie Crumbles: US Election and Canadian Security

6 November 2024

In our twenty-first episode of Battle Rhythm season 3, Steve Saideman and Dr. Wendy H. Wong (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair at the University of British Columbia) trade baking schedules and recipes before diving into US election campaign strategies, Canada’s 2% defence spending prospects, plus the US and China relationship. Today’s feature interview is with co-author Stephane Leman-Langlois of “The Great Right North: Inside Far-Right Activism in Canada” written by Stéphane Leman-Langlois, Aurélie Campana and Samuel Tanner.
Stéphane Leman-Langlois is professor of criminology at Laval University, Québec. He holds the Canada Research Chair on Surveillance and the Social Construction of Risk. He is director of the Terrorism and Counterterrorism Research Group and of the Centre on International Security at Laval University. He is also co-director of the Observatoire sur la radicalisation et l’extrémisme violent (OSR).
As a co-investigator of the Big Data Surveillance project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Stéphane Leman-Langlois is co-leading (with Valerie Steeves) research Stream Three: Governance. This stream will examine the use of big data for policing and other forms of social control.

Episode 3.20: Development - Security Nexus

23 October 2024

In episode 20 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve Saideman travels to Pennsylvania, discussion on campaign spending ensues. Co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mt. Allison University and Steve also discuss New Brunswick's recent election, Canada-India relations, North Korean - Russian military cooperation and the escalation risk of US troops in Israel. Today's feature interview is with Rhonda Gossen, a former diplomat with Global Affairs Canada about her new book "The 12th of February."

Rhonda Gossen is a former diplomat with Global Affairs Canada, assigned to Philippines,Pakistan, Afghanistan and Ghana. She iscurrently a senior consultant with UNDP, working onearly recovery, forced displacement and refugee response, resilience, stabilization, developmentsolutions to internal displacement and strategic planning. She worked as development advisor tothe humanitarian coordinator for the Rohingya Crisis in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and toUNHCR Lebanon on the Syrian refugee crisis. In addition to UNDP, she has undertakenassignments with the World Bank, UNICEF, UNHCR, in Pakistan, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria,South Sudan, Southern Africa, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan Afghanistan, and Iran. She is the authorof an upcoming book with McGill-Queens University Press.

Episode 3.19: Conventional War & Means of Control

9 October 2024

In episode 19 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve has an agreeable discussion with David Pugliese on Canadaland’s Backbench podcast. Co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mt. Allison University and Steve discuss conventional war readiness, along with analysis of the Military’s domestic propaganda story and potential implications. Today's Feature interview is with Byron Tau. Byron Tau is an investigative and enterprise journalist who specializes in law, courts, and national security. He reports for and teaches at the Allbritton Journalism Institute, a journalism nonprofit launched in 2023 that trains and mentors early-career reporters. He previously worked at The Wall Street Journal and Politico. A native of Holliston, Massachusetts, Tau has degrees from McGill University in Montreal and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Links:

Episode 3.18: Military Ethics Education and Application

25 September 2024

In episode 18 of BattleRhythm's third season, Steve Saideman testifies at the Parliamentary Defence Committee, discussion ensues. Co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mt. Allison University and Steve also discuss the submarine procurement announcement, security clearances for provincial and territorial leaders and newly released intelligence priorities from the federal agencies. Today’s feature interview is with David Whetham, Professor of Ethics and the Military Profession in the Defence Studies Department of King’s College London.
David Whetham is the Director of the King’s Centre for Military Ethics and delivers or coordinates the military ethics component of courses for between two and three thousand British and international officers a year at the UK’s Joint Services Command and Staff College. Before joining King’s as a permanent member of staff in 2003, David worked as a BBC researcher and with the OSCE in Kosovo, supporting the 2001 and 2002 elections.
David supports military ethics education in many different countries and has held Visiting Fellowships at the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, US Naval Academy Annapolis, the Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics at the Australian Defence College in Canberra and at the University of Glasgow. He was a Mid-Career Fellow at the British Academy in 2017-18 and is currently a Visiting Professorial Fellow at the University of New South Wales. He was appointed as the Jeffrey Grey Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Australian Defence College in 2023. David is a founding member of the European Chapter of the International Society for Military Ethics (Euro ISME) which holds an annual conference for military practitioners, academics and defence policy-makers.In 2020, David was appointed as an Assistant Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force to contribute to the Afghanistan Inquiry into allegations of war crimes committed by Special Forces personnel. His contribution was published as an annex to the Brereton Report in November 2020, with all of the recommendations being accepted by the Chief of the General Staff and Prime Minister. He currently sits on the UK Defence Medical Services Ethics Committee, the UK MoD AI Ethics Panel, the 77X Ethics Advisory Panel, and the Australian Defence Force's International Standing Panel of Experts in Ethics. David is married with two children, and sits as a Magistrate on the Wiltshire Bench. In his spare time, he plays trombone with the 41º Big Band and enjoys epée fencing.

Episode 3.17: Change Agent, Soldier-Scholar Dr. Alan Okros

11 September 2024

In episode 17 of season 3, Co-hosts Linna Tam-Seto (Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto) and Steve Saideman discuss the US Justice Department indictment of Russian funded media in North America (including Tenet Media in Canada), immigration backlash and hate crimes increase and lastly the UN campaign to provide Polio vaccines to children in Gaza. Today’s feature interview is with Dr. Alan Okros, a full professor at the Royal Military College Department of Defence Studies and has been supporting Chief Professional Conduct and Culture initiatives. He is also a co-director of the CDSN. Dr. Alan Okros holds a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Waterloo. He was appointed Associate Professor in the Department of Military Psychology and Leadership at the Royal Military College of Canada in 2004 and appointed as Full Professor to the Department of Defence Studies at CFC in 2008. In 2019, he assumed responsibilities as Deputy Director Research in the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security within the Canadian Defence Academy.

Episode 3.16: Pride and Politics

28 August 2024

In our sixteenth episode of Battle Rhythm, season 3 Steve Saideman and Dr. Wendy H. Wong (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair at the University of British Columbia) discuss the National Security Transparency Advisory Group’s recommendations on AI, the controversy over the new Army logo and the US Presidential candidates' use of pop culture. Today's feature interview is with Ottawa based freelance journalist, Dale Smith.
Dale Smith is a freelance journalist in the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, writing about politics full-time since the 2008 federal election. He has written for the Ottawa Citizen, the National Post, Maclean’s, Canadian Business, the Canadian Press, iPolitics.ca, and the Hill Times. Dale lives in Ottawa.

Episode 3.15: Medium Risk, Medium Reward

14 August 2024

In episode 15 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve and co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mt. Allison University, discuss the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the arctic, Canadians intercepting Chinese naval ships sailing through Arctic international waters along with far-right riots in the UK and with a final twist, Ukraine’s incursion into Russian territory.
Today's feature interview is with our new Visiting Defence Fellow, Col Nick Roby.
Colonel Nickolas Roby joined the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserves in the rank of Gunner in 1997, and was commissioned into The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery in 2002. He has since commanded at the Troop, Battery, Rifle Company, as the Commandant of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School, and more recently, was the Commander of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group (2022-2024).

Serving in a variety of key staff assignments in Ottawa, Colonel Roby served as the Canadian Army analyst at Chief of Program, Executive Assistant to Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, as the coordinator to Deputy Chief-of-Staff Operations at the Canadian Army Headquarters, and as the Senior Military Assistant to the Minister of National Defence. Colonel Roby was employed as the Director of Army Personnel Management (G1) at the Canadian Army HQ from 2020 to 2022.

Operationally, Colonel Roby deployed to Afghanistan with the International Security Assistance Force as the Deputy Commander of Brigade Troops, and Operations Officer of Combined Team Kandahar City Brigade HQ in 2009-10. In support of the United Nations, he deployed twice with the Mission de l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO) in 2013 and 2016.

Colonel Roby is a graduate of the Joint Command and Staff Program at the Canadian Armed Forces College, Toronto. He holds a Baccalaureate in Arts from St. Thomas University, and a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.

Colonel Roby is married to Jessica, and they lead an active lifestyle racing from one sporting activity to another with their four young children: Chloé, Maëva, Félix, and Kallee.

Episode 3.14: Leadership in times of crisis

31st July 2024

In episode 14 of Battle Rhythm season 3, with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior Fellow GPSIA, University of Ottawa,Steve asks Artur what’s going on with CSIS and the new Interim Director, they discuss sabotage at the Olympics in Paris and Canadian disaster response coordination in the wake of the devastating Jasper fire.
This episode’s featured interview is a throwback to Episode 2 of Battle Rhythm from July 10, 2019, Co-Director Stéfanie von Hlatky interviews (then) Brig.-Gen. Jennie Carignan who talks about leadership and affecting change in the military. General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, has had a distinguished career since commissioning into the Canadian Military Engineers in 1990. She commanded two Combat Engineer Regiments, Royal Military College Saint-Jean, and the 2nd Canadian Division. She participated in multiple international and domestic deployments, led NATO Mission Iraq and most recently held the position of Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture. General Carignan holds two master's degrees and has received several honours, including the Commander of the Order of Military Merit and an honorary doctorate. She was promoted to her current rank in July 2024.

Episode 3.13: the venn diagram of policy, experience and research

24th July 2024

In episode 13 of Battle Rhythm season 3, Steve and Wendy (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair at the University of British Columbia) discuss Kamala Harris as the new Democratic presidential nominee and the implications for US foreign policy; Chief of Defence Staff Change of Command Ceremony; the CrowdStrike outage as well as Korean laser drones.

Today's feature interview is with this year's CDSN postdoc, Manaswini Ramkumar. She is completing her PhD in International Relations at the School of International Service, American University in Washington DC, where she examines civil-military relations in the context of democratic erosion. She also studies postcolonial statebuilding, subnational democracy, and authoritarian resistance. Her work has been funded by American University, The Association for Documentary Editing and the American Political Science Association. She received her MPhil in IR from American University and MSc in Strategic Studies from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore where she previously worked as an Associate Research Fellow in the Military Studies program and was a lecturer in Professional Military Education to the Singapore Armed Forces.

Episode 3.12: Authoritarian Military Careers

3rd July 2024

In episode 12 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve and co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mt. Allison University, discuss Thomas's trip to Nunavut and the civilian - military relationship implications for Canada's newest Chief of Defence Staff (and former Battle Rhythm guest), Lt. Gen Jennie Carignan. In today's feature interview, Steve speaks with Christian Gläßel, a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for International Security and principal investigator of the research project “The Anatomy of the Authoritarian Security Apparatus” (AASAP), funded by the German Research Foundation DFG. Christian obtained his PhD from the Mannheim Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences in 2020. His PhD on subversion, repression, and regime stability was awarded the Lorenz von Stein Prize. Before joining the Hertie School, Christian was a lecturer at the University of Mannheim and researcher in the ERC project "Repression and the Escalation of Violence" and the Collaborative Research Center "Political Economy of Reforms". In 2022, he substituted Nils-Christian Bormann as Professor of International Political Studies at Witten/Herdecke University.

In his research, Christian investigates fundamental questions of authoritarian politics and touches new grounds on the inner workings of dictatorial regimes. His findings help us understand when autocracies develop, how they cement their rule, and why they break down. Christian’s work on autocratization processes, repressive organizations, information manipulation, and the death toll behind authoritarian soft power and sportswashing strategies has been published in all leading international political science outlets, including in the American Journal of Political Science, American Political Science Review, Journal of Politics, Journal of Conflict Resolution, European Journal of International Relations, and Comparative Political Studies, among others.

Episode 3.11: Interference

19th June 2024

In the eleventh episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 3, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss the Canadian business community push to reach the NATO 2% target, US security agreement with Ukraine and foreign election interference. For today's feature interview, Thomas Hughes interviews Rob Clark about foreign interference in the UK and what it means to him along with the debate around the practicalities of mandatory military service inclusion in the UK’s upcoming election.

Robert Clark is Policy Director at Curia UK, Fellow at Yorktown Institute, Washington DC and director of defence and security at Civitas. Prior to this he served in the British Army for fifteen years, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Watch out for our next episode on July 10th!

Episode 3.10: Domestic Politics and International Relations

29th May 2024

In the tenth episode of Battle Rhythm, season 3 – Steve and Wendy (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair at the University of British Columbia) discuss ICC warrants, Canada’s decision to abstain from recognizing Palestine in the UNSC and CSIS’s TikTok spying warning. This week, Wendy interviews Abe Newman about his new co-authored book, Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy.
Professor Newman received his BA in International Relations from Stanford University and his PhD in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a professor in the School of Foreign Service and Government Departments at Georgetown University. His research focuses on the ways in which economic interdependence and globalization have transformed international politics. He is the co-author of Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy (Holt/Penguin 2023); Of Privacy and Power: the Transatlantic Struggle over Freedom and Security (Princeton University Press 2019), co-author of Voluntary Disruptions: International Soft Law, Finance, and Power (Oxford University Press: 2018), author of Protectors of Privacy: Regulating Personal Data in the Global Economy (Cornell University Press: 2008) and co-editor of How Revolutionary was the Digital Revolution: National Responses, Market Transitions, and Global Technologies (Stanford University Press: 2006). His work has appeared in a range of journals including Comparative Political Studies, International Organization, International Security, Nature, Science, and World Politics.

Episode 3.9: The Hidden Costs of War

8th May 2024

In episode 3.9 co-hosts Steve and Artur discuss the Election Interference Commission of Inquiry and legislation along with Gaza protests on university campuses and a call for empathy. This week Steve interviews Dr. Tanisha Fazal about her new book, Military Medicine and the Hidden Costs of War.
Tanisha Fazal is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Minnesota. Her scholarship focuses on sovereignty, international law, and armed conflict. Fazal’s current research analyzes the effect of improvements in medical care in conflict zones on the long-term costs of war.
She is the author of State Death: The Politics and Geography of Conquest, Occupation, and Annexation (Princeton University Press, 2007), which won the Best Book Award of the American Political Science Association’s Conflict Processes Section, and Wars of Law: Unintended Consequences in the Regulation of Armed Conflict (Cornell University Press), which won the Best Book Award of the International Studies Association's International Law Section and the American Political Science Association's International Collaboration Section. Her work has also appeared in journals such as the British Journal of Political Science, Daedalus, Foreign Affairs, International Organization, International Security, International Studies Review, International Studies Quarterly, and Security Studies.
A frequent commentator on international relations and foreign affairs, she has been a fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University and at the Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University. In 2002 she was awarded the Helen Dwight Reid Award of the American Political Science Association. From 2021-2023, she is an Andrew Carnegie Fellow.

Episode 3.6: Bridging the Gap, One Post-Doc at a Time

28th March 2024

In episode 6 of BR Season 3, Co-hosts Linna Tam-Seto and Steve Saideman discuss new legislation proposed to address the abuse of power crisis within DND; military to civilian transition issues for veterans transferring to public service and Tik Tok! Steve interviews our Post-Doc, Ryan Atkinson about his research on emerging technologies and NATO Centers of Excellence.
Ryan Atkinson is Postdoctoral Fellow at Carleton University where his research focuses on defence policy. He previously worked at NATO and has experience in the private sector as a cybersecurity consultant. Ryan completed a PhD from Western University and an MA from the University of Toronto.

Learn more about the CDSN PostDoc Opportunity

Episode 3.4: A View From Finland & Germany on Defence Strategy

28th February 2024

In the fourth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 3, Steve is joined by our new co-host and former CDSN postdoc, Dr. Thomas Hughes. Steve & Thomas discuss the motivations and implications behind a new allowance for Permanent Residents to join the Canadian Armed Forces, Hungary votes Sweden into being a NATO member & Canadian based company starts supplying drones to Ukraine. Today's feature interview is with Minna Ålander.
Minna Ålander’s research focuses on NATO, security in Northern Europe, Nordic defence cooperation, Arctic security, as well as German and Finnish security and defence policy. Previously, Ålander worked at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin. She holds a joint master’s degree in international relations from the Free University of Berlin, the Humboldt University of Berlin and the University of Potsdam. Since August 2023, Ålander is a Non-resident Fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).

Episode 3.8: Confidence Building Measures & Arms Control

24th April 2024

In the 8th episode of our 3rd season, Steve and Thomas discuss NATO perspectives in Artic Security from his recent visit to the NATO Defence College in Rome, Arctic threats in the Defence Policy Update along with procurement investments and timelines PLUS FBI Director Wray’s analysis of Chinese hacker threat on critical infrastructure as well as US aid to Ukraine. In this week's feature interview Thomas speaks with William Alberque; Director of Strategy, Technology and Arms Control at the International Institute for Strategic Studies focusing on preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction and related delivery systems, as well as risk reduction and arms control.
William previously served as the director of NATO’s Arms Control, Disarmament, and WMD Non-Proliferation Centre (ACDC), with more than 25 years' experience in arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation.

Episode 3.5: Janice Stein, Canada’s Dean of International Relations

13th March 2024

In episode 5 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve and our newest co-host Dr. Wendy Wong (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair at the University of British Columbia) discuss strudel surveys, mark the 4 year COVID pandemic anniversary, Nikki Haley vs Donald Trump & Sudan’s human rights crisis. in Today's feature interview, Wendy asks Janice Stein about how we should be thinking about the 120 year old conflict in Gaza, deterrence theory and the challenges for academics studying security in the past and today along with barriers for defence policy makers in Canada compared to its counterparts.
Janice Gross Stein is the Belzberg Professor of Conflict Management in the Department of Political Science and the Founding Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. She was the Massey Lecturer in 2001 and a Trudeau Fellow. She was awarded the Molson Prize by the Canada Council for an outstanding contribution by a social scientist to public debate and has received Honorary Doctorates of Laws from universities in Canada and abroad. She is also an Honorary Foreign Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Senior Fellow of the Kissinger Center at SAIS at Johns Hopkins University. Her current research focuses on technology and public policy in the context of great power competition. Last year, she co-chaired the National Advisory Committee on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy for the Minister of Global Affairs

Episode 3.3: Czech Future Forces

14th February 2024

In the third episode of our third season, hosts Steve and Linna discuss Trump's threats on the safety of NATO allies, Minister Joly's launch of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and the facts behind the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft. In today’s feature interview Anessa asks Petr Tichý about lessons learned from his career as a pilot during the cold war, language training in Borden to his current role with the NATO Future Forces International Exhibition and his predictions for the future of the Czech Armed Forces.
Colonel Retired Petr Tichý is the program director at the NATO Future Forces International Exhibition. He is an experienced Sales Project Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the electrical and electronic manufacturing industry. Skilled in Crisis Management, Negotiation, Analytical Skills, Government, and Operational Planning. Strong sales professional with a PhD focused in management from Defence University. His other positions include the NATO AGS project manager within Retia company. He worked as an independent researcher at the Population Protection Institute and an academic researcher at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Defence University. Petr Tichý retired from a career in the Czech Airforce with an educational background from the Military Academy (Master Pilot), Kosice, Air Force University (International Studies & Leadership), USAF Air Command and Staff College (Military Science & Operational Studies) and the NATO Defence College

• www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump…ill-blair-1.7113129
• www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/i…aspx?lang=eng
• www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-c…ng-auto-theft.html

Episode 3.2: When Rambo Meets the Red Cross

31st March 2024

In the second episode of our third season, hosts Steve & Artur discuss implications for Trump's win in New Hampshire Primary, the federal ruling on inappropriate use of the Emergency Act in Ottawa and domestic political pressure to increase the role of the Canadian Armed Forces in Disaster Response requires culture change and more money for CAF personnel; plus Steve and Arthur set the bar for civil discourse when discussing Israel, the ICJ and Canada's role.
In our feature interview, Steve stays on the topic of civ-mil relations when he interviews Stanislava Mladenova about her dissertation turned book about the working relationships between America Special Operations Forces and International Non-Governmental Organizations in fragile states.

Stanislava is a Global Fellow at Brown University’s Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies. She recently completed her doctoral research at King’s College London, Department of War Studies, where she explored the functional relationship between SOF Civil Affairs Units, NGOs, and populations, in settings affected by low-intensity conflict and state fragility. Stanislava’s operational experience includes assignments in Afghanistan, where she served as a Political Adviser to the NATO Senior Civilian Representative on economic issues, governance, corruption, disaster management, gender, humanitarian assistance, and the recruitment of child soldiers. At the US Institute of Peace, she implemented programs that established dialogue and cooperation between the police forces, gendarmerie, and local communities in six West African countries. She holds a Master’s of Public Administration from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs at the University at Albany, New York.

Episode 3.1: Inside the Strategic Joint Staff

4 January 2024

In the first episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 3, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss Sweden in Latvia, CAF sexual misconduct reporting increases for men and the implications for Chief f Defence Staff General Eyre's retirement announcement. Today's feature interview is with Brigadier-General Errington, Strategic Joint Staff Director General Plans.

For more information on culture change in the Canadian Armed Forces see our previous interviews:

Episode 2.26: Transforming Military Cultures: feature interview Steve asks Nancy Taber, Tammy George & Maya Eichler about their experience setting up a MINDS network focused on Transforming Military Cultures

Episode 49: Healthy Tension: Feature Interview with guests Deputy Minister of the Department of National Defence, Jody Thomas and Acting Chief of the Defence Staff Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre. Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre

Episode 2: Feminist Futures for the CAF: Feature Interview with Brig.-Gen. Jennie Carignan

Brigadier-General Errington’s command experience includes two years as a Rifle Platoon Commander in 2 PPCLI followed by a year as Recce Platoon Commander. He commanded an Airborne Platoon in both the Canadian Airborne Regiments (CAR) and the PPCLI Parachute Company, before commanding Anti-Armour Platoon. As a Major, he enjoyed two years as Officer Commanding A Company (para) in 3 PPCLI, then another two years in the Operations Squadron at Dwyer Hill Training Centre (DHTC). Following his promotion to LCol, he was appointed as the Special Operations Task Force Commander in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2010–2011, earning the Meritorious Service Medal. He assumed command of 3 PPCLI in June of 2012, and held the appointment until after the Regiment’s 100th Anniversary Ottawa Commemoration in September 2014. As a Colonel, he commanded the Combat Training Centre in Gagetown from July 2017–July 2019 when he was promoted to BGen. Brigadier-General Errington is very proud and humbled to have had the opportunity to command twice at the platoon, company, and unit levels in various Light, Airborne, and Special Force units.

Brigadier-General Errington held a variety of staff jobs within the Battalion. However, he has predominantly been employed in current operations from the rank of Capt to BGen (Brigade G3 Operations (Ops), J35 in Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, DHTC Ops O/COS, CA G33, Director current Ops at Strategic Joint Staff and Chief of Staff Ops for the CA).

Brigadier-General Errington’s operational experience includes overseas deployments to Croatia, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. His domestic operations have included those deployed to floods in Winnipeg and Medicine Hat; forest fires in British Columbia; and providing security for the G8 Summit in Kananaskis and the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.

Brigadier-General Errington has had some unique honours throughout his career, serving in the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace in 1998, leading the Canadian parachute contingent to Normandy, France, in honour of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, and commanding 3 PPCLI during the 100th Anniversary Commemoration. He has also held the appointment of Director of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps from February 2016 to July 2019.

Brigadier-General Errington was appointed Strategic Joint Staff Director General Plans in July 2022.

Episode 2.34: Learning Lessons at the Year Ahead with Lama Mourad

December 2023

In the thirty-fourth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss the infamous legacy of Henry Kissinger, F-35 procurement and interoperability and new allegations of a toxic workplace at CSIS.
Our feature interview is with Lama Mourad, who will be joining us as a panel moderator for the Year Ahead on Dec 7th. Lama is an assistant professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. Her research focuses on the intersection of forced migration, local governance, and the politics of borders, with a regional focus on the Middle East.

Episode 2.33: Throwback -> 2019 Peace with Women Fellows

22nd November 2023

In the thirty-third episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Steve and Linna discuss CAF members access to benefits, the repercussion of burn pits and supressing lessons learned from Afghanistan.
Our guests are the 2019 Peace with Women Fellows who discuss a wide variety of issues from leadership and learning to recruitment and retention.

Fellows in order of appearance:

23:20: BG Lisa Ferris, NZ Defence Legal Services & Paz Magat, Director, Peace With Women Fellowship

29:10: Colonel Tracey Onufer, USAF, CoS SOF South & Commodore Solveig Krey, Norweigan Navy, Dep ACOS Ops

34:00: Colonel Debra Lovette, USAF, Human capital, Joint Force Space & Air Commodore Elanor Boekholt-o’Sullivan, Netherlands, Cyber Defence

38:20: LtColonel Joana Polekauskiene, Lithuania, instructor mil academy & Colonel Lysane Martel, RCAF professional development

42:30: Colonel Dr. Lale Baroschek, Germany, Recruitment & Colonel Solene le Floch, French Air Force, Human Resource manager

48:00: Captain Rachel Durbin, Australia, Navy, Future Force & Captain Fiona Shepherd, RN, ACOS Logistics, Operations and Plans

Episode 2.32: Battle Rhythm x Conseils de sécurité: Visiting Defence Fellow Colonel MC Harvey

8th November 2023

In the thirty-second episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies, and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Erin discuss an increase in hate crimes across Canada, the war in Israel/Gaza & sexual misconduct in Latvia.
Today's feature interview is en francais with Conseils de sécurité hosts Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé & Artur Wilczynski interviewing this year's NPSIA/CDSN Visiting Defence Fellow Colonel Marie Christine Harvey.
La Colonel Harvey nous parle de son parcours, des défis liés aux postes qu'elle a occupés, notamment comme instructeur et lors de commandement d'opérations domestiques et internationales. Elle démantèle des mythes liés à l'armée et nous explique en quoi les Forces Armées canadieenne se distinguent des autres armées.

Episode 2.31: Open by Default Project

25th October 2023

In the thirty-first episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Steve and Linna discuss her presentation on how men exposed to sexual trauma in the military access support services for that trauma at CIMVHR, the Meeting of MINDS event organized by the CDSN for the nine networks and ADM Policy, the Ombudsman criticizing Ottawa for not supporting military advisers and CSIS chief raises concerns about China's interest in Canadian universities.

For our Feature Interview, Steve speaks with Matt Malone, Assistant Professor at Thompson Rivers University, and he researches the laws that protect secret information, especially trade secrecy, confidential information, access to information, privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity. They discuss Matt’s recent project, the Open by Default Project.

Episode 2.30: Resilience podcast Meaghan Wilkin and Lobna Cherif

10th October 2023

In the thirtieth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Associate Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss Anessa’s research at the NATO Centers for Excellence in Europe, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the potential cut in the defense budget, Low artillery supplies and Europe’s perception of Canada’s NATO 2% commitment.
For our feature interview, Steve speaks with Professors Meaghan Wilkin and Lobna Cherif (Department of Military Psychology and Leadership Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston) about the Resilience Plus podcast that is a new addition to the CDSN Podcast Network. The Resilience podcast provides resources on responding to trauma, empowering individuals to maximize their productivity and effectiveness in pursuing personal and professional goals.

Episode 2.29: Security vs. Populism

27th September 2023

In the twenty-ninth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2, with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior Fellow GPSIA, University of Ottawa. Steve & Artur discuss Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s revelation of intelligence that the government of India was involved in the murder of a prominent British Columbia Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil and the risk of diaspora protestations being perceived as threats by home governments. The lack of vetting, which led House Speaker Anthony Rota to invite and recognize a man who fought for a Nazi unit in the Second World War during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Parliament, the diplomatic and international embarrassment as well as Russia using this incident as propaganda to justify the war in Ukraine. The final discussion focused on the weaponization of parental rights in anti-trans protests and far right involvement, which has the potential to turn violent, and its implications for security in Canada.

Episode 2.28: Training Exercises

13th September 2023

In the twenty-eighth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director, Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies at University of Calgary. Steve & Erin discuss the public inquiry into foreign election interference and its new commissioner Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s trip to Asia for the ASEAN summit, India among the top sources of foreign interference in Canada, the break down of Trudeau’s plane in India, and China raising concerns about New Cold War.

For our Feature Interview, Steve speaks with Thomas Hughes a former postdoc for the CDSN. Thomas is currently a McKenna Postdoctoral Fellow at Mount Allison University.

Episode 2.27: Servicewomen's Salute

30th August 2023

In the twenty-seventh episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Steve & Linna discuss the just ended Summer Institute, the Canadian Armed Forces changing housing benefits for troops, a Survey about the Canadian public’s perception of the military, the current challenges the CAF faces due to Domestic and Emergency Operations given the increasing wildfires and Climate change events over the Summer especially the evacuation of Kelowna and Yellowknife.

For our Feature Interview, Linna speaks with Rosemary Park, the founder of Servicewomen's Salute, which promotes and celebrates women's contributions to the Canadian Military. The CDSN is one of the partners helping with the upcoming Aspire & Inspire workshop series and Gala dinner organized by Servicewomen's Salute in October.

Episode 2.26: Transforming Military Cultures

2nd August 2023

Summary

In the 26th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations, Canada. Steve & Artur discuss rumors and personalities in the Defence & Public Safety cabinet shuffles; ongoing coup in Niger and civil disobedience in Israel in response to justice reforms.

For our feature interview Steve asks Nancy Taber, Tammy George & Maya Eichler about their experience setting up a MINDS network focused on Transforming Military Cultures. Transforming Military Cultures is a network of Canadian and international academic researchers, defence scientists, military members, veterans, and people with relevant lived experience who are collaborating to challenge, reimagine, and transform the Canadian Armed Forces culture into one that embraces inclusivity and difference. The Network employs an anti-oppression framework in drawing on diverse critical perspectives and international lessons learned. Our activities aim to determine the root causes of the problematic military culture and provide practical insights to help transform Canadian Armed Forces culture into one that serves the future needs of Canada and Canadians. Centre for Social Innovation and Community Engagement in Military Affairs (SICEMA)

Episode 2.25: Vice Admiral Angus Topshee on Canada’s Global Deployment

19th July 2023

Summary

In the twenty fifth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Anessa L. Kimball, author of the new book, Beyond 2% – NATO partners, institutions & burden management: Concepts, risks & models. Steve & Anessa discuss the recent NATO summit in Vilinius: membership, arctic, expectations and Ukraine. Today's feature interview, Steve interviews Vice Admiral Angus Topshee. The Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy answers questions about personnel shortages, Canadian arctic security, human security as the heart of the Indo-Pacific strategy, the role of leadership in culture change.

Episode 2.24: Visiting Defence Fellow, Col Cathy Blue

5th August 2023

Summary

In the twenty fourth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies, and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Erin discuss the wildfires and climate change, protests triggered by police violence in France; Wagner vs Putin; and the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius. Today's feature interview, Steve interviews Col. Cathy Blue, the CDSN/NPSIA visiting Defence Fellow for 2022/2023, about her experience in the program.

Episode 2.23: From Battalion to Brigade

7th June 2023

Summary

In the twenty third episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with special co-host, Justin Massie, Full Professor of political science at the Université du Québec à Montréal, Associate Director of the Network for Strategic Analysis, and Codirector of Le Rubicon; Steve & Justin record from Riga, Latvia where they provide highlights from their Stakeholder Visit to Task Force Latvia.

For our Feature Interview, Co-host Dr Linna Tam-Seto (She/Her) talked with Dr. Alexandra Heber (She/Her) about her work on a glossary titled: “Glossary of Terms: A shared understanding of the common terms used to describe psychological trauma.” Dr. Heber explained the importance of the project as a shared language around Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is essential and she hopes that the upcoming version will serve as a source of information and a communication tool that facilitates discussions around mental health concerns within the Defence and Security community.

Episode 2.22: The Trust Factor: Chat Apps

24th May 2023

Summary

In the twenty second episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at McMaster University, and former post-doc fellow of the CDSN; Steve & Linna discuss the External Monitor’s Report on progress of addressing the Arbour Report, university labs come under government scrutiny for national security risks.
For our Feature Interview, Steve speaks with Dr. Bessma Momani about her research on mal/dis and mis information shared via multinational chat app groups.

Episode 2.21: Climate Science & Policy

10th May 2023

Summary

In the twenty-first episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies, and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Erin discuss use of force amongst Canadian policing agencies, the end of the COVID emergency & the Civil War in Sudan.
In today's feature interview, Anessa speaks with Pauline Pic about her post- doc research on the intersections of human geography and human security in the Arctic.

Tracking Injustice Project: trackinginjustice.ca

Episode 2.20: Canada's NATO Burden Sharing

26th April 2023

Summary

In the 20th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Anessa L. Kimball, author of the new book, Beyond 2% – NATO partners, institutions & burden management: Concepts, risks & models. Steve & Anessa discuss NATO defence spending, intelligence leaks, Chinese police stations in North America and the civil war in Sudan. This week's interview is with Jānis Garisons, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia. During the interview, Steve & Jānis discuss Operation Enhanced Forward Presence, conscription and resilience.

Episode 2.19: Senator Rear-Admiral Rebecca Patterson

12th April 2023

Summary

In the nineteenth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at McMaster University, and former post-doc fellow of the CDSN; Steve & Linna discuss the Pope's rejection of the Doctrine of Discovery, repatriation of Canadian women and children from Syria & Star Wars Celebration weekend. For our Feature Interview, Steve speaks with Senator Rebecca Patterson, the first female CAF veteran to be appointed to the Senate.

Episode 2.18: Responsible Democracy

29th March 2023

Summary

In the 18th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman &Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations, Canada. Steve & Artur discuss foreign interference and intelligence, government leaks vs whistle blowing & protests in Israel.
Note from the Producer: CDSN was so busy these past 2 weeks, we didn't have time for a Feature Interview! If you are thirsty for new content and perspectives, check out our YouTube Channel with new presentations via our Capstone Seminar in Calgary, feature topics including:
1. Effective Disaster Management and Multi-Stakeholder Role: A Case of Bangladesh. (Mohammed Sadman Sakib)
2. Next Wave of Jihadists or Deradicalized Citizens?: A Controlled Narrative From A Human Security And Social Identity Perspective. (Haval Ahmad)
3. Trauma, Culture, and Militarism: Multidimensional Healing in the Canadian Armed Forces. (Ash Grover)
4. Approches alternatives afin de comprendre et surveiller la culture au sein de l’Équipe de la défense (Isabelle Richer)
5. “Functional Actors” and Canadian Defence & Security Policy: Lessons from the Arctic 1985-2010. (Ryan Dean)
6. Cold Comfort: Threat Perception and Confidence-Building in Europe and the Arctic (Thomas Hughes)
7. The Canada-U.S. Permanent Joint Board on Defence (PJBD): Legacy and Relevancy in the 21st Century. (Nicholas Glesby)
8. Women, Peace & Security: Military Application and Beyond (Ye Hee (Leona) Ahn)

Episode 2.17: Interference & Oversight

15th March 2023

Summary

In the seventeenth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies, and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Erin discuss Chinese government election interference and police stations in Canada, oversight of the RCMP in BC and across Canadian communities & concerns about lagging progress for Canadian women in international defence roles.
Today's feature interview is with author of World War Z, Max Brooks and Daveed Gartenstein-Ross of Valens. Steve, Daveed and Max discuss their work in national security, specializing in the simulation and gaming world. They explain the creation process of Sleeping Giants’ simulation, Valens Global’s approach to war game simulations, and the benefits and purposes of their war games aiming to develop situational research skills and negotiation abilities.

Links
National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians: www.nsicop-cpsnr.ca
The Modern War Institute: www.mwi.usma.edu

Episode 2.16: Mitigating Risk

1st March 2023

Summary

In the sixteenth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at McMaster University, and former post-doc fellow of the CDSN. Steve & Linna discuss the Emergency Act Inquiry - who was responsible, asset freezing, Doug Ford, US funding & PR of China activities in Canada. For our Feature Interview, Linna speaks with Dr. Ashley Williams about her findings on military to civilian transition and access to health services and some misconceptions about veteran health. She is also working on a veteran led project writing guidelines for healthcare providers project on chronic pain as well as a project on equine assisted learning for Public Safety personnel dealing with PTSD.

Dr. Ashley Williams is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences as well as Co-Chair, Student and Post-Doctoral Engagement Committee (SPEC) with the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research/ L'Institut canadien de recherche sur la santé des militaires et des vétérans (CIMVHR). CIMVHR is a partner with the Canadian Defence and Security Network, students who would be interested in being part of CIMVHR’s Students and Postdoctoral Engagement Committee (https://cimvhr.ca/student-and-postdoctoral-engagement-committee/). looking for candidates interested in policy making, there are opportunities to submit proposals submitted to the upcoming forum (https://cimvhrforum.ca/trainees interested in knowing more about SPEC outreach they are welcome to sign up for their distribution list to receive all future invitations and information.https://cimvhr.ca/student-and-postdoctoral-engagement-committee/ (the mailing list sign up is located at the base of the page)The deadline to apply for the CDSN Post-Doctoral position is March 15th! https://www.cdsn-rcds.com/postdoctoral-fellows

Episode 2.15: Visionary Thinking

15th Feburary 2023

Summary

In the 15th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations, Canada. Steve & Artur discuss balloon responses, U.S. Air Force Gen. Minihan’s memo & Chinese "police stations" in Canada. For our Feature Interview, Steve speaks with Major-General Lise Bourgon, currently the Women Peace and Security Champion for the CAF.

During the interview, Steve spoke with MGen Lise Bourgon about her position as Chief of Personnel, the challenges she faces as CMP’s current priorities are reconstitution, recruitment, and personnel retention. MGen Bourgon also explained the housing strategy for the CAF members, their protocol for managing problematic behaviors of members in leadership positions, and their efforts to reduce movements & relocations as a way to retain personnel.

Episode 2.14: NATO(ish)

1st February 2023

Summary

In the 14th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Anessa L. Kimball, author of the new book, Beyond 2% – NATO partners, institutions & burden management: Concepts, risks & models. Steve & Aneessa discuss sending offensive equipment to Ukraine, the threat of Russian cyber attacks and Turkish resistance to NATO expansion. For our Feature Interview, Steve speaks with Stéfanie von Hlatky, the Canada Research Chair on Gender, Security, and the Armed Forces, associate professor of political studies at Queen's University, Associate Dean of Research in the Faculty of Arts and Science and co-director of the Network for Strategic Analysis and the Canadian Defence and Security Network (including co-host of Battle Rhythm, season 1!)

During the interview, Stefanie and Steve discuss her new book: Deploying Feminism, The Role of Gender in NATO Military Operations. Topics include the context of the project idea, the research process, and fieldwork trips leading to the book. Stefanie also explained her previous research and the importance of focusing the book’s research on Women, Peace, and security, trying to convey gender equality as a key element to more stable security outcomes. The book is available at all the usual outlets, including the publisher Oxford University Press, and on amazon.

Episode 2.13: Welcome to 2023

18th January 2023

Summary

In the thirteenth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies, and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Erin discuss the Brazilian election protests, Canadian purchase of a U.S.-made National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) for Ukraine and a quick summary of F-35 procurement efforts. Today's feature interview is with Conseils de sécurité podcast host, Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé.

Episode 2.12: Domestic Emergency Operations

14th December 2022

Summary

In the twelfth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at McMaster University, and former post-doc fellow of the CDSN. Steve & Linna discuss highlights from the CDSN's Annual Year Ahead event, takeaways from the Arbour Report's Stakeholder Engagement event, the recent RWE coup plot in Germany as well as Peruvian President Castillo's successful self-coup.

Episode 2.11: A National Force

30th November 2022

Summary

In the eleventh episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies, and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Erin discuss information sharing and other takeaways from the Emergencies Act Inquiry and implications for policing in Canada, Indo-Pacific strategy and allyship. Steve speaks with Peter Kasurak, Fellow the Centre for International Defence Policy (CIDP) at Queen’s University about his book “A National Force: The Evolution of Canada's Army, 1950-2000”

Episode 2.10: Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM)

16th November 2022

Summary

In the 10th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Anessa L. Kimball, Ph.D. discuss messaging faux pas at the Vimy Gala, missile scare in Poland and #COP27. For our Feature interview, Steve speaks with Major-General (MGen) Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Command and Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Episode 2.9: Leading By Example

2nd November 2022

Summary

In the ninth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at McMaster University, and former post-doc fellow of the CDSN. Steve & Linna discuss the CDSN mid-term Conference, her research on mentorship presented at CDSN partner CIMVHR’s annual Forum; Doug Ford testifies before the Public Order Emergency Commission, rumors of a potential new Haiti Mission for Canada. This week’s Feature Interview is from the archives, revisiting a November 2020 episode with Major-General Lise Bourgon who is now Acting Commander Military Personnel Command, Canadian Armed Force Women, as well as Peace and Security Champion.

Episode 2.8: Researching the Middle East

19th October 2022

Summary

In the eighth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies, and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Erin discuss the Emergencies Act Inquiry, Russian targeting of energy & water infrastructure with remote weapons systems and the use of propaganda from both sides as well as the Chief of Defence Staff’s plea to the public to help with capacity building. Today’s feature interview is with Gianmarco Fontana, PhD student at Universite Laval, he speaks with Anessa about his research on the wars in the Middle East, including Iran.

Episode 2.7: Operation UNIFIER

5th October 2022

Summary

In the seventh episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations, Canada. Steve & Artur discuss the implications of the Nord Stream pipeline burst, Russian strategy in Ukraine, domestic emergency operations during Hurricane Fiona and protests in Iran. Steve speaks with LCol Gilbert about Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) mission in support of Ukraine's security forces.

Episode 2.6: MINDS

22nd September 2022

Summary

In the sixth episode of Battle Rhythm, Steve Saideman & Anessa L. Kimball, Ph.D. discuss developments in the war in #ukraine #Germany’s obligation to meet #NATO’s 2% spending target and #northkorea 's new law on Preemptive Use of Nuclear Weapons. For today’s feature interview, Steve speaks with Ehren Edwards, Manager of the Department of National Defence MINDS program. They talk about the vision, goals and funding of the program

Episode 2.5: The Prisoners Dilemma

7th September 2022

Summary

In the fifth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations, Canada. Steve & Artur discuss the mass casualty tragedy in Saskatchewan, harassment of Minister Freeland and the rise of political hate with comments on government intelligence gathering tools along with Artic Security. Steve speaks with Danielle Gilbert, Assistant Professor of Military & Strategic Studies at the United States Air Force Academy about her article in this month’s Foreign Affairs journal, “The Prisoners Dilemma”.

Episode 2.4: Excellence Scholars

24th August 2022

Episode 2.3: America's Great-Power Opportunity

10th August 2022

Summary

In the third episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at McMaster University, and former post-doc fellow of the CDSN. Steve & Linna discuss the CDSN Summer Institute highlights, Veterans Affairs MAiD recommendation and the CBSA discrimination survey. For today’s feature interview, Steve speaks with last year’s Undergraduate Excellence scholars, Safia Hafid and Alex Rizkallah about their MINDS funded projects.

Summary

In the third episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies, and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Erin discuss state secrets and SCIFs vis a vis Mar-a-Lago; Canada’s rising hate crime problem, and the US-Russia prisoner exchange. For today’s feature interview, Steve speaks with @Ali Wyne, senior analyst with @Eurasia Group's Global Macro-Geopolitics practice about his new book "America's Great-Power Opportunity: Revitalizing U.S. Foreign Policy to Meet the Challenges of Strategic Competition" (Polity, 2022)

Links:

Washington Quarterly: https://twq.elliott.gwu.edu/files/2022/07/Wyne_45-2_TWQ-1.pdf

Episode 2.1: The Ones We LeT Down

13th July 2022

Summary

Today is the first episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations, Canada. Artur shares his view on the Rogers outage and protecting critical infrastructure and national security implications; Steve and Artur discuss responses to dissident Reservist James Topp, flags and you guessed it, the NATO Summit. For today’s feature interview, Artur speaks with our network partner Charlotte Duval – Lantoine about her newly published book “The Ones We Let Down.”

Episode 2.2: Covering Canadian Defense & Security

27th July 2022

Summary

Today is the second episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Anessa Kimball, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, director of Centre sur la sécurité internationale (CSI, Centre on International Security), and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Anessa discuss NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept, Canada’s turbine-related sanctions on Russia & GoC’s push for more airspace privacy. For today’s feature interview, Steve speaks with Senior political reporter for @GlobalNews, Amanda Connolly about her experiences as one of Canada’s few national security and defense journalists.

Anessa’s book recommendation: ENTITLED - Kate Manne

Season 1 Hosts

Stéfanie von Hlatky: Co-Director of CDSN-RCDS & Associate Professor of political studies at Queen’s University and Director of the Queen’s Centre for International and Defence Policy (CIDP). Her research focuses on NATO, armed forces, military interventions, and defence policy.

Stephen M. Saideman: Director of the CDSN-RCDS and Paterson Chair in International Affairs at Carleton University. His research focuses on NATO, civil-military relations, and international security

Episode 75: The Present of Canadian Security and Defence

22nd June 2022

Summary

In the season finale of Battle Rhythm: Season 1, Steve and Stef discuss the Arbour Report as stakeholders in the project and as op-ed writers; the upcoming NATO Summit in Madrid, NORAD Modernization and a Q&A session with Stéfanie in her last episode as co-host as she steps aside for another important and exciting role as Associate Dean Research within the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen's University.

Recommends

Links

Stéfanie von Hlatky op-ed
Episode 49: Healthy Tension with guests Deputy Minister of the Department of National Defence, Jody Thomas and Acting Chief of the Defence Staff Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre

Episode 74: The Military Industrial Complex

8th June 2022

Summary

In the 74th episode of Battle Rhythm, guest host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot and Steve talk about Sexual Misconduct in the military and civilian cops & prosecutors, the new handgun regulations and CANSEC. Today’s feature interview guest is with Executive Director of Project Ploughshares Canada, Cesar Jaramillo [19:30]. This week’s RnR segment [55:40], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: Breaking Bad, Operation Mincemeat, Obi-Wan

Links:

Guest Biographies

Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot is co-director of the CDSN Security theme and the Director of the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies as well as Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary, Canada. Erin is also co-director, with Jean-Christophe Boucher, of CANIS (Canadian Network on Information and Security). Her research focuses on the concept of risk as it primarily applies to criminal offending and victimization. Her current research projects include an examination of how past experiences with various types of hazards influence self-protective behavior and expectations for the future, and the means by which individual and institutional efforts to enhance security work together and/or at cross-purposes.

Cesar Jaramillo’s work has focused on such program areas as nuclear disarmament, outer space security and conventional weapons control. As an international civil society representative, Cesar has addressed, among others, the UN General Assembly First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), the UN Conference on Disarmament, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), as well as states parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). He has also given guest lectures and presentations at academic institutions such as the National Law University in New Delhi, the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing, and the University of Toronto. An occasional columnist on matters of disarmament and international security, Cesar graduated from the University of Waterloo with an MA in global governance and has bachelor’s degrees in honours political science and in journalism. Prior to joining Project Ploughshares, Cesar held a fellowship at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).

Episode 73: NATO Burden Sharing

25th May 2022

Summary

In the 73rd episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about expectations for the upcoming Independent External Comprehensive Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, led by Madame Louise Arbour as well as Finland, Sweden and NATO expansion. Today’s feature interview is with Dr. Binyam (Ben) Solomon, Senior Defence Scientist at Defence Research and Development Canada | Recherche et développement pour la défense Canada [20:15]. This week’s RnR segment [41:45], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: Game Night, Multiverse of Madness, Sanford’s The Investigator.

Links

Summer Institute
Saideman’s Semi-Spew: Early Admissions, NATO Edition

Guest Biography

Dr. Binyam Solomon is Senior Defence Scientist at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). He is also an Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University. Previous appointments include Chief Economist, Department of National Defence and acting Chief Scientist at the Centre for Operational Research and Analysis (DRDC). He has published extensively in economics, statistics, and defence topics. His research interests include political economy, aspects of national security, peacekeeping economics, and time series methods. Dr. Solomon holds a PhD in Defence Economics from the University of York, United Kingdom.

Episode 72: Training in Ukraine

11th May 2022

Summary

In the 72nd episode of Battle Rhythm, guest host Linna Tam-Seto and Steve talk about her recent work on military sexual trauma within the Sexual Misconduct network, as well as her postdoc mentorship work in relation to the recent racism report, and a report on accommodating families. Today’s feature interview is with LCol Melanie Lake, Task force Commander Operation UNIFIER [26:30]. This week’s RnR segment [58:20], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: Metal Lords, Kids in the Hall, Moonknight

Guest Biography

Raised in Churchill Falls, Labrador, LCol Melanie Lake graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2002 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. She has been immensely privileged to serve in all three Combat Engineer Regiments in Canada. She began her career in 5 RGC as a Field Troop Comd, served as 2IC 23 Armd Sqn and Operations Officer at 1 CER and was Officer Commanding of 24 Fd Sqn and 25 Sp Sqn at 2 CER before returning to her current job as the Commanding Officer of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa, ON. She had the opportunity to learn from some of the best Sappers and Soldiers in the country and considers herself very lucky for these opportunities.

Outside of Combat Engineer Regiments, LCol Lake served as an instructor at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, spent time as a HUMINT operator, worked in the Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff as the Senior Staff Officer and oversaw Engineer Operations and Plans at the Canadian Joint Operations Command. She deployed to Afghanistan three times on Op ATHENA and on two domestic operations including as the JTF Comd for Op WINISK. In March 2021, she assumed command of Operation UNIFIER Roto 11. She will return as Commanding Officer of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment following this deployment.

She and her partner Jeff, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer, have a young daughter named Avigail.

Episode 71: Eating the Elephant One Bite at a Time

27th April 2022

Summary

In the 71st episode of Battle Rhythm, guest host Anessa Kimball and Steve talk about Finland, Sweden and NATO, US assurances, Ukraine’s borders along with Canada’s defence contributions and implications; finally the data within the Minister’s Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination Final Report. Today’s feature interview is with Major-General M.H.L. (Lise) Bourgon, CMM, MSC, CD, Acting Commander, Military Personnel Command [36:45]. This week’s RnR segment [1:03:30], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: Russian Doll, Outcasts, Barry

Links

Guest Biography

Major-General Lise Bourgon joined the military in 1987 under the ROTP training plan and was selected to attend Le College Militaire Royal de St-Jean where she graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. Following wings training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1994, she was posted to 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Shearwater where she served on HMCS Preserver, NCSM Ville De Quebec and HMCS Toronto. In 1998, she was transferred to 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron, where she served as a pilot instructor. Following her promotion to Major in 2001, she was posted to Ottawa in the Directorate of Air Requirements - Maritime as a Project Director working on projects such as the Maritime Helicopter Program and the Self-Defence Program. She was posted back to 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in 2004 to serve as the Detachment Commander on HMCS Montreal. Following her deployment, she was appointed as the Wing Plans and Tasks Officer in 2005. She graduated from the Joint Command and Staff Program at the Canadian Force College in Toronto in 2007. Following her promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel, she was appointed the Commanding Officer of 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron in 2007 and served in Shearwater, NS until July 2009 when she was chosen to be the Executive Assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff in Ottawa. In June 2011, she was promoted to Colonel and posted as the NATO Liaison Officer at the NATO Air Headquarters in Ramstein, Germany. After only two years in Germany, she was appointed as the new 12 Wing Commander in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. Following her tour as Wing Commander, she was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-general and deployed as the Joint Task Force Commander for OP IMPACT. Upon her return from deployment, she was assigned to Canada Joint Operational Command as the Chief of Operations. In August 2016, she was transferred to the Strategic Joint Staff as Director General Operations. In 2018, she assumed the duties of Chief of Staff, Operations at the Canadian Joint Operational Command. In 2021, she completed a one-year Defence Fellowship assignment with the Centre of International and Defence and Policy at Queens’ University. Since April 21, she is assigned as the Deputy Commander of Military Personnel Command. In addition to her daily job, MGen Bourgon is the Canadian Armed Forces Women, Peace, and Security champion.

Episode 70: Police Responses

13th April 2022

Summary

In the 70th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about NATO expectations & 2% aspirations, the defense review announcement and former CDS Vance’s guilty plea. Today’s feature interview is with Temitope Oriola, Associate Professor, Sociology at the University of Alberta [20:05].This week’s RnR segment [46:15], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: The Stranger, D-Day Girls, No Way Home

Guest Biography

Temitope Oriola is joint Editor-in-Chief of the journal African Security and associate professor at the University of Alberta. A recipient of the Governor General of Canada Academic Gold Medal (first awarded by the Earl of Dufferin in 1873), Oriola’s book Criminal Resistance? The Politics of Kidnapping Oil Workers is one of a small number of book-length sociological investigations of political kidnapping in the English language. Professor Oriola’s research expertise focuses on policing & use of force, terrorism studies and armed insurgencies. A decorated researcher and teacher, Professor Oriola is a two-time Carnegie fellow and president of the Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS).

What the ‘freedom convoy’ reveals about the ties among politics, police and the law

Episode 69: OSCE’s special monitoring mission to Ukraine (SMMU)

30th March 2022

Summary

In the 69th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the ISA, Steve’s appearance in a parliamentary hearing with discussion of the military personnel announcement, highlights from the NATO summit, and the F35 purchase announcement. Today’s feature interview [20:00] is with Christophe Fortier-Guay discussing his role as OSCE’s special monitoring mission to Ukraine (SMMU).This week’s RnR segment [57:40], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: Is it Cake?, Turning Red, Our Flag Means Death

Guest Biography

Christophe Fortier-Guay joined the OSCE’s special monitoring mission to Ukraine (SMMU) in 2017 where he served as a lead political advisor to the mission’s leadership in war-torn Donbas (Luhansk MT). In February 2021, he was promoted acting Deputy Team Leader of the Kharkiv MT, covering Kharkiv, Poltava and Sumy Oblasts. On 1 February 2022, he was appointed acting Team Leader of Kharkiv MT. Prior to his deployment to Eastern Ukraine, he assisted the Director of international cooperation of the French Ministry of Interior. From 2012 to 2014, he was the senior advisor to the Minister of International Relations and Foreign Trade of Quebec. Earlier appointments include serving in the Cabinet of the French Minister for Budget and Spokesman of the Government; in the Political Affairs Secretariat of the Organization of American States in Washington DC; and in the Global strategy firm of Hubert Védrine, former Secretary General of the French Presidency and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is a graduate of the University of Montreal (B.A. political science), the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Master’s in international affairs, conflict and security issues) and of the French National School of Administration (ENA – Promotion Louise Weiss). In 2019, he successfully completed the Senior Executives in National and International Security program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Episode 68: Talking to the Civilian in Canada's Civ-Mil

16th March 2022

Summary

In the 68th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the Conference of Defence Associations Institute's annual Ottawa Conference, Russia, Ukraine, foreign fighters & supply convoys. Today’s feature interview is with The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence [21:45]. This week’s RnR segment [55:20], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: Adam Project, Dead Eyes, Rick Atkinson

Guest Biography

Minister Anand is a devoted leader with a proven record of service. In her Oakville community, she has served on the Board of Directors of the Lighthouse Program for Grieving Children, the Oakville Hospital Foundation, and Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. Minister Anand has worked as a scholar, lawyer, and researcher. She has been a legal academic, including as a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto where she held the J.R. Kimber Chair in Investor Protection and Corporate Governance. She served as Associate Dean and was a member of the Governing Board of Massey College and the Director of Policy and Research at the Capital Markets Research Institute, Rotman School of Management. She has also taught law at Yale Law School, Queen’s University, and Western University.

Minister Anand has completed extensive research on the regulation of financial markets, corporate governance, and shareholder rights, and has appeared regularly in the media to discuss these topics. In 2015, she was appointed to the Government of Ontario’s Expert Committee to Consider Financial Advisory and Financial Planning Policy Alternatives. She has conducted research for Ontario's Five-Year Review Committee, the federal Wise Person's Committee, and the Task Force to Modernize Securities Legislation in Canada. In 2019, the Royal Society of Canada awarded her the Yvan Allaire Medal for outstanding contributions in governance relating to private and public organizations.

Minister Anand holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen's University, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford, a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University, and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1994.

Minister of National Defence Mandate Letter(December 16, 2021)

Episode 67: NATO (eFP) Battle Group Latvia

2nd March 2022

Summary

In the 67th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Today’s feature interview is with Lieutenant-colonel John Benson, MSM, CD, A de C, Commandant 2e Bataillon Royal 22e Régiment et La Citadelle de Québec [20:00]. This week’s RnR segment [46:35], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: All of Us Are Dead, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Resident Alien

The Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battle Group Latvia completed an evaluation of its capabilities as a “force package” to meet NATO standards during Exercise Silver Arrow in September. The multinational exercise involved almost 3,000 troops and 200 vehicles from 12 NATO allies and was designed to test the battle group’s ability “to plan and conduct operations with the Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade” and enhance their readiness, said its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel John Benson.

Guest Biography

Lieutenant-Colonel John Benson was born in Toronto, Ontario. After completing his studies at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment in 2004, where he was employed as a platoon commander during the build-up of TF 2- 06 as well as a reconnaissance platoon commander for a few months. He was also deployed to KANDAHAR in 2006-2007 as a mentor to an Afghan National Army (ANA) company commander as part of Roto 0 of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (ELMO/OMLT).

After a short assignment as Director Land Resource Requirement (DBRT/DLR), he was again deployed to KANDAHAR in 2009, this time as J33-3 of Task Force Kandahar (TFK), coordinating day-to-day operations at the brigade level until September 2010. Upon his return to Canada, he was again posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment as an operations officer. In this position, he participated in the domestic operation LOTUS during the floods in Montérégie. He also implements the TF 3-12 build-up training plan. Promoted to the rank of major in 2012, he had the privilege of commanding an infantry company during the build-up.

After completing his assignment as Company Commander, he held the positions of Study Group Director at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College, Deputy Director of the Center for National Security Studies at the Forces College Canadian Forces, Chief of Staff for the Commander of the 1st Canadian Division and Section Chief at the Army Doctrine Centre. He is also deployed to Baghdad for a year to initiate the NATO mission in Iraq from October 2018 to November 2019.

Lieutenant-Colonel Benson holds a bachelor's degree in military and strategic studies as well as a master's degree in defense studies. He is also a graduate of the Land Force Technical Staff Program (LMTP). His wife Caroline is a CELE officer, and they have a daughter (Mia) and a son (William) together. In addition to traveling around the world as a family, they enjoy practicing many sports.

Episode 66: Saving Democracy

16th February 2022

Summary

In the 66th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the internationalization of the trucker convoy and the impending Russian invasion of Ukraine. Today’s feature interview is with Ben Roswell, president of the Canadian International Council. [20:50]. This week’s RnR segment [54:30], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: Raising Dion, Reacher, Jack Reacher books.

Links:

Biography

Ben Rowswell has been President and Research Director of the Canadian International Council since November 2018. Prior to the CIC, Ben served as Canada’s Ambassador to Venezuela from 2014 to 2017. This capped a 25 year career as a professional diplomat including assignments in Canada’s embassies to Egypt, to the United States, and in Canada’s Permanent Mission to the UN. He served Canada’s first diplomatic envoy to Baghdad, Iraq, after the fall of Saddam Hussein from 2003 to 2005, as Deputy Ambassador to Afghanistan and as head of the NATO Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar between 2008 and 2010. As a practitioner of international relations, Ben’s thematic interest has been in human rights and democracy. He founded the Democracy Unit at Global Affairs Canada, and worked closely with human rights activists in Iraq and Afghanistan. As Ambassador to Venezuela, Ben was an outspoken advocate of the restoration of the popular sovereignty of Venezuelans after the suspension of constitutional order in early 2017.

These experiences abroad awakened an interest in the role of citizens in our own democracy. In Ottawa, Ben supported the Cabinet process as a member of the Privy Council Office during the tenures of Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper, experiences that exposed him to the far-reaching impact that public opinion has on decision-making at the highest levels of government. Ben brings that passion for the role of individual citizens to the CIC, a platform for everyday Canadians to participate in the national conversation about our nation’s role in the world.

Episode 65: It’s Not Just 700

2nd February 2022

Summary

In the 65th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about Civ-Mil protocol when it comes to domestic protests and Canada’s commitment in Ukraine. Today’s feature interview is with M.E. Sam Samplonius, Co-Chairperson of It’s Not Just 700, a volunteer run, non-funded organization that provides camaraderie, informal support, and advocates for those impacted by Military Sexual Misconduct and Military Sexual Trauma in the Canadian Armed Forces. [17:15]. This week’s RnR segment [43:40], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: Wolf like me, Witcher, Twilight of the Gods—Pacific War book

Guest Biography

M.E. Sam Samplonius has over 40 years of CAF Reserve Force service and is a Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivor. Like many other survivors, her first assault happened during her Basic Recruit training when she was 17 years old.

Sam was an active member of IJ700 since 2015 when she became involved in the Hands Project and maintained the IJ700 Instagram account for inspirational messages. At that time she felt she had dealt with her multiple sexual assaults and constant sexual harassment well, and was enjoying a successful Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) career happily married to a Regular Force CAF spouse. However in 2016 she was again a victim of MST that was so traumatizing that it caused the loss of her full-time military position. The mental and physical trauma of this incident also led to the breakdown of her marriage as she tried to cope with the added release of unresolved previous MST, depression and hypervigilance.

Diagnosed with complex PTSD in 2018, through regular therapy Sam has taken on the challenge of dealing with the sexual and gender harassment she has experienced, and the military sexual trauma inflicted from domestic violence, kidnapping and unlawful confinement incidents. She finds helping others is one her best healing practices.

As a Reservist, Sam maintained a federal Public Service career concurrently while serving in the CAF. While her career was in Materiel Management, she also volunteered for many workplace initiatives relating to Employee Wellness and Diversity, gaining extensive experience in Joint Occupational Health & Safety program development as a Master Trainer and Union Shop Steward. For ten years she co-facilitated for the Treasury Board JLP Anti-Harassment course for Managers. Collaboration not confrontation has been a personal mantra stemming from her Union Local Executive days.

As a Public Servant, Sam sought out many opportunities for full-time CAF contracts on regional and national projects that made full use of her repertoire of skills and experience in training development and facilitation, conflict management, policy review, ethics and diversity.

In May 2021 when IJ700 disbanded, Sam agreed to join Dr. Lori Buchart in creating a new informal peer support group to ensure MST survivors would still have a safe and secure place to go for peer support and healing resources. Through discussions they found a shared passion and professional experience in promoting and facilitating positive organizational change that has created an amazing synergy for influencing culture change and the creation of It’s Not Just 700.

Now retired from the Public Service and facing a medical release from the CAF, Sam will be increasing her work in the area of CAF Veteran advocacy that she began in 2007. In addition to volunteering as the Co-Chairperson with INJ700, she also volunteers as a Senior Advisor with the Canadian Military Sexual Trauma Community of Practice, and an Advisor for the Centre of Excellence on PTSD.

Episode 64: The 2021 Class of the Halifax Peace With Women Fellowship

19th January 2022

Summary

In the 64th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia. Today’s feature interviews are with The 2021 Class of the Halifax Peace With Women Fellowship, discussing education and instruction and field operations [20:40]. This week’s RnR segment [55:45], where we will provide some levity in these trying times with entertainment reviews and suggestions: Yellow Jackets, Alex Rider, Conquering Tide.

Guest Biography

The 2021 Class of the Halifax Peace With Women Fellowship convenes 12 diverse and accomplished women from 12 countries. All Fellows are senior, active-duty military officers from NATO member and partner countries. The 2021 Class represents more than 330 years of combined service to their countries and a wide range of expertise. HFX is proud to welcome its fourth class of distinguished leaders to the Halifax network.

Group 3: Education & Instruction

Lieutenant Colonel Monika Mertinaitė: Senior Advisor, Defense Policy Group, Ministry of National Defense, Lithuania
Brigadier General Catherine Bourdès: Deputy Director of French Higher Military Education, Directorate for Higher Military Studies
Colonel Anna Siverstig: Commanding Officer, Swedish Air Warfare Center, Swedish Air Force

Group 4: Field Operations

Group Captain Louise desJardins: Director Joint Effects/J3E, Royal Australian Air Force
Colonel Danielle Willis: Commander 93 Air Ground Operations Wing, United States Air Force

2022/21 Episodes