The Torch: Upcoming Events

Conference. Copenhagen, Denmark. Cost involved. See link for registration.
As climate change creates new routes through the Arctic, allies must reassess their approach to the region’s security to maintain their readiness to act in such a specialised environment. Arctic Security 2024 will bring together key stakeholders working in the Arctic to discuss emerging issues, including the protection of sovereignty and the challenges associated with the use of patrol vessels in Arctic waters, as well as offering ample opportunities to engage with other military leaders and industry experts throughout the event. With increasing interest in Arctic waters from nefarious actors, now is the ideal time to create new dialogues with allies that will protect the region and those who operate within it.

In person in Ottawa at the University of Ottawa. 1130-1300 hrs ET. See link for more details.
Since 2012, the global proliferation of drones has increased by 88.3 percent. Inspired by the American pioneering of ‘pin-point’ precision strike and remote-control technologies during the early 2000s and 2010s, a total of 113 nation-states have now developed a military drone program (2023). These drones are transforming the character of war around the globe, from Ukraine to Yemen and most notably with the Houthis over the Red Sea. Yet, how did drones and precision technologies rise up to become the ‘go to’ weapons for nation-states and increasingly violent non-state actors? In this talk, James Patton Rogers (Executive Director of the Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute, Cornell University), takes us back to 1917 and the origins of this quest for ‘precision’ in war within American strategic thought. Along the way, he will outline how precision developed throughout the 20th Century and highlight what the contemporary proliferation of precision weapons and drones means for the future of international security.

1700-1830 GMT. Registration at link.
How can humanitarian arrangements contribute to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance? ...

Online. 0900 - 1200 ET. Registration at link.
Please join RAND National Security Research Division (NSRD) and the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) on Thursday, April 25, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET, for a public event to discuss why 2024 is a hinge year for assuring Ukraine’s victory and the containment of Russia. Through a blend of long-term strategic analysis and actionable policy recommendations, leading American and Polish experts, together with invited guests from other allied countries, will provide an outline for how America, Poland, and allies can assure that the rules-based international order is effectively defended in Ukraine, Europe, and elsewhere.

Webinar. 1500-1600 EDT. Registration at link.
Recent advances in AI have convinced a growing number of experts that these technologies will have a profound impact on the nature of work. But questions of the depth and breadth of this impact remain unanswered: Will AI support or replace workers? Which sectors will be most affected? Are there policies that can improve outcomes for workers in the age of AI?
... the Brookings Center on Regulation and Markets will host an event on the transformative impact of AI on labor markets. ...

Webcast - 0900-1000 EDT. Registration at link.
Launched in 2013 by Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China's flagship overseas investment project, encompassing agreements with over 150 countries and summing to around $1 trillion in projects. As the BRI enters its second decade, the initiative faces several hurdles. High-profile projects have run into challenges, many countries’ ability to borrow has declined, and skepticism of China’s broader geopolitical intentions has grown in partner countries.
How are Chinese scholars assessing the state of the BRI 10 years in? What risks and opportunities do they envision for its future develoPlease join the Interpret: China project for a discussion of these and other important questions with a panel of experts who will unpack recently translated primary source materials. ...

Online. 1400-1530 GMT. Registration at link.
What can international allies do to advance Ukraine’s long-term recovery?

In person event at Westin Hotel Ottawa. Registration at link. (Cost involved.)
Examining the advanced capabilities and technology aspects of NORAD modernization and how connectivity can help better defend the continent.

Online. 1300-1400 EDT. Registration at link.
Please join the CSIS International Security Program (ISP) and the U.S. Naval Institute for a Maritime Security Dialogue event featuring ADM Christopher Grady, USN, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. ADM Grady and RADM Raymond A. Spicer, USN (Ret.), chief executive officer and publisher, U.S. Naval Institute, will discuss how the Navy is helping to implement Joint Warfighting Concept 3.0, a renewed framework for addressing emerging threats and protecting America’s interests abroad. The Vice Chairman will share insights into how the joint force is working to innovate combat-ready capabilities faster than U.S. competitors.

Webcast. 1400-1700 EDT. Registration at link.
Join the Americas Program and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce for a discussion on the opportunities to strengthen North American economic security in an era of geopolitical uncertainty.

At Wilford Laurier University. More Information available at link.
The CMHC is the largest gathering of military historians in Canada, bringing together academics, students, independent scholars and members of the public to share the latest work in Canadian military history and war and society.

Online (Zoom). 1800 hrs MT. Registration at link.
Join the Royal Alberta United Service Institute (RAUSI) for the 2024 Keynote Lecture with LGen (Ret'd) The Honourable Roméo Dallaire, OC, CMM, GOQ, MSC, CD, who will discuss the key strategic challenges facing Canadian leadership in the current geopolitical landscape.

1400-1730 GMT. Registration at link.
Even while fighting a full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia seeks to position itself as a global power in the non-western world, engendering scepticism towards the US interventionism or grievances over the Europe’s colonial past.
But unlike the Soviet Union, Russia is not exporting its political or economic models – focusing instead on trade deals and local security affairs. The term ‘Global South’ suggests a unified approach. Yet Russia tailors its involvement depending on local networks and needs.
This two-panel event discussion will explore Russia’s foreign policy goals in these parts of the world, and what appeals to the different countries. Can Russia’s pivot have any impact on the outcome of the war or on the global distribution of power?

Webinar - 1600-1730 ET. Registration at link.
What would it feel like To Run the World? The Soviet rulers spent the Cold War trying desperately to find out. In this panoramic new history of the conflict that defined the postwar era, Sergey Radchenko provides an unprecedented deep dive into the psychology of the Kremlin's decision-making. He reveals how the Soviet struggle with the United States and China reflected its irreconcilable ambitions as a self-proclaimed superpower and the leader of global revolution....

In person. Ottawa. See link for registration.
This colloquium seeks to analyze the strategic implications of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections on the landscape of international relations, with a particular focus on Canada’s position and strategies. At a time of significant political change in the U.S., we will explore how the election results could reshape global alliances, foreign policies, and international security frameworks by exploring different possible scenarios.

See link for more information.
Canadian Naval Review will be holding its annual essay competition again in 2024. There will be a prize of $1,000 for the best essay, provided by the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust. The winning essay will be published in CNR. (Other non-winning essays will also be considered for publication, subject to editorial review.)

Riga, Latvia. See link for more information including registration. Costs involved.
Can strategic communications serve as a vital conduit, forging cohesive narratives that fortify our societies and navigate us through these turbulent times? This is the question we aim to explore at our annual conference Riga StratCom Dialogue 2024 dedicated to the future of strategic communications.