Conference of Defence Associations Institute – Détails, épisodes et analyse

This week, Canada formally entered negotiations with Saab to purchase the GlobalEye airborne early warning system. The announcement comes amid growing political tensions between Ottawa and Washington, a review of the Lockheed Martin F-35 program, and broader efforts by the government to diversify Canada’s defence partnerships beyond the United States.

In this episode of the Expert Series, MGen (Ret'd) Colin Keiver examines the strategic, operational, and industrial implications of Canada’s potential GlobalEye purchase and what it could mean for the future of continental defence cooperation.

He discusses the role airborne early warning aircraft play in NORAD and Arctic surveillance, the operational differences between Saab’s GlobalEye and competing American systems such as Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail, and the extent to which political considerations may be influencing procurement decisions.

The episode also explores the tension between Canada’s push to diversify defence relationships and the enduring realities of geography, interoperability, and integration with the United States. Keiver argues that while deeper partnerships with European allies may strengthen Canadian industrial capacity and resilience, effective continental defence will continue to depend on close military and technological coordination with Washington.

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The Permanent Joint Board on Defence (PJBD), a long-standing but low-profile mechanism for Canada–U.S. defence coordination, has recently been suspended, raising questions about the state of institutional dialogue underpinning North American security cooperation. While operational channels such as NORAD remain in place, the pause in this advisory forum has prompted broader reflection on how Canada and the United States manage strategic coordination and trust.

On this week’s episode of the Expert Series, Dr. Chris Sands examines the suspension of the PJBD and what it signals for Canada–U.S. defence relations at a time of growing political strain and evolving security priorities.

He discusses the role of institutional mechanisms in shaping Canada–U.S. defence cooperation beyond day-to-day military operations, and how forums like the PJBD have historically supported alignment on emerging threats and capability planning.

The episode also explores the implications of the suspension for bilateral trust and predictability, and considers whether increasingly transactional approaches risk weakening the informal and institutional foundations of continental defence cooperation.

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As Canada seeks its security and operational capacity in the North, Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced a $35-billion federal plan to expand defence capabilities and infrastructure across the Arctic and northern regions, including upgrades to military bases, new operational hubs, improved airports, and road construction projects.

On today’s episode of the Expert Series, MGen (Ret’d) Michel Lalumiere, Dr. James Fergusson, and Dr. Rob Huebert joined us to discuss the significance of these investments, the distinction between Arctic development and defence spending, and what these initiatives mean for Canada’s Arctic security and northern communities.

We unpack upgrades to northern forward operating locations in Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Iqaluit, the role of infrastructure in Arctic defence, and the NORAD modernization and related capabilities. The panel also explores Canada–U.S. defence cooperation, the challenges of implementing ambitious projects amid cost pressures and community impacts, and the strategic implications of shifting threats from Russia and China for long-term Arctic defence policy.

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

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

Learn more: CDA Institute

What implications does Canada's defence spending deficit have for its relationship with NATO?

In this episode of the Expert Series podcast, we meet with Yves Giroux, Justin Massie, David Bercuson, and Christopher Sands to discuss Canada’s defence spending, its failure to meet the 2% GDP spending commitment and implications for the alliance, the historical role of Canada within the NATO alliance, and the future of Canada-US relations and NATO. 

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

Learn more: CDA Institute

Has Canada lost the respect of the NATO Alliance and its members? 

In this Expert Series episode, we meet with Hon. Peter MacKay, former Minister of National Defence, to discuss the ongoing NATO Summit in Washington D.C., Canada’s ongoing failure to meet the 2% defence spending target set by NATO, and the consequences this bodes for Canada behind closed doors at the Summit. This episode also highlights the need for Canada to prioritize fixing the substantial challenges our military faces, including military culture and respect for our forces.

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

Learn more: CDA Institute

Are the NATO Alliance and its European allies prepared for the possibility of a second Trump presidency? 

In this Expert Series episode, we meet with Jamie Shea, Steven Pifer, Julian Lindley-French and Leonard Schütte to discuss the implications of a second Trump term, the impact of European elections for NATO cohesion, and what continually shifting U.S. foreign policy means for the NATO alliance and the security of Europe. This episode also offers reflection on the health and purpose of the NATO alliance as it reaches its 75th anniversary amidst a changing global security landscape.

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

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In this week's episode of the "Geopolitical Update" podcast, Joe Varner, Deputy Director of the Conference of Defence Associations, discusses the poor performance of US President Joe Biden in last week’s national debate with former President, Donald Trump, instability in the Democratic party, and the geopolitical implications of a potential second Trump presidency. Varner also discusses Chinese aircraft carriers and warships operating in the South China Sea, Cuba’s upgrading of electronic spying facilities near Guantanamo Bay, which are believed to be linked to Beijing, China’s ambitions to develop naval bases in South America in the Caribbean, Russia’s chairing of the UN Security Council, and next week’s NATO Summit in Washington. Tune in to the "Geopolitical Update" every Friday for expert commentary on the latest global affairs.

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

Learn more: CDA Institute

How can NATO navigate internal disagreements and external pressures to effectively support Ukraine while maintaining unity and strategic stability amid global geopolitical uncertainties?

In this episode of the Expert Series, join Alexander Lanoszka as he explores the dynamics of the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington. This episode features discussion on Ukraine's recent tactical successes in the war against Russia, the need for increased NATO support, Ukraine's membership prospects and the symbolic significance of the 75th NATO Summit amidst uncertainties such as the potential return of Trump and the rise of populism in Europe. Lanoszka also discusses Canada’s defence spending and explores the broader implications of US political shifts for NATO’s future stability.

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

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What can today's leaders and NATO learn from the parallels between our current international security environment and that which preceded the Second World War?

In this episode of the Expert Series, join former Defence Minister David Pratt as he explores the critical stakes of the upcoming NATO Summit. Drawing chilling parallels between today's international security tensions and the prelude to World War II, Pratt delves into Vladimir Putin's aggressive moves in Ukraine, China's rising power, and other looming regional threats. Discover why NATO's support for Ukraine is pivotal in deterring global aggressors like China, North Korea, and Iran and gain insight into the pressing summit topics, including defence spending, military aid for Ukraine, and the potential ramifications of a second Trump presidency on NATO and European security. 

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

Learn more: CDA Institute

In this week's episode of the "Geopolitical Update" podcast, Joe Varner, Deputy Director of the Conference of Defence Associations, discusses North Korea’s recent failed missile launch, which was potentially a hypersonic weapon; the war in Ukraine, which has become a stalemate, with neither Russia nor Ukraine achieving their war aims; Israel’s ongoing operations in Gaza; Hamas’ attempts to rebuild its forces and the potential for a wider conflict involving Iran and its proxies; and amphibious drills undertaken by China in the South China Sea and their implications for regional security. Tune in to the "Geopolitical Update" every Friday for expert commentary on the latest global affairs.

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

Learn more: CDA Institute