Policy Talks

In this episode of Policy Talks, Eric Merkley discusses the changing landscape for the upcoming U.S. elections especially considering voting behaviour, political perceptions, and partisan identity. We'll discuss how this applies to a Canadian context, and what increased political polarization may mean for the future.

In this episode of Policy Talks, we sit down with Huda Mukbil to discuss her journey from intelligence to politics, and how her dedication to challenging institutional racism and advocating for equitable representation in national security has shaped her career and life experiences.

In this episode of Policy Talks, CFPJ Best Paper Award Winners, Matthew Rochat and George Tsouloufas, discuss the research, findings, and conclusions in their 2023 paper titled "Revisiting the effectiveness of economic sanctions in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine," published in Volume 29, Issue 3 of the Canadian Foreign Policy Journal. View the CFPJ Best Paper Award announcement here.

In this episode of Policy Talks, former foreign-policy advisor to Justin Trudeau, Roland Paris, discusses the recent public allegations made by Prime Minister Trudeau accusing the Government of India of being responsible for the alleged murder of Canadian national Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Jaime Webbe, President and CEO of the United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC) discusses the role of the United Nations in Canada's foreign policy, how the UNAC promotes UN values locally, Canada's bid for a seat on the Security Council, and UN reform.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Professor Achim Hurrelman discusses his recently released article "Did Brexit change perceptions of the EU and the UK in Canada? An analysis of Canadian newspaper commentaries" published in the Canadian Foreign Policy Journal.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Jim Stanford discusses the future of the cost of living crisis, Canada's corresponding fiscal and monetary policies, as well as economic transitions and their impacts on a sustainable economy.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Dr. Kirsten Van Houten discusses Canada's role in peacebuilding, analyzing the past, present, and future, and specifically Canada's engagement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In this episode of Policy Talks, Oksana Huss discusses the current state of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the presence of political corruption, and the role of local authorities, open governance, and political organizations in this crisis.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Sharon Zhengyang Sun discusses the Canadian Government's newly released Indo-Pacific Strategy and its economic implications for Canada. She also analyzes the impact on Canada-China relations, as well as Canada's hopes to improve relations with Indo-Pacific nations.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Diana DeVivo talks about stakeholder management and communication in a crisis, the crisis management toolbox, applying it specifically to ongoing events such as the Russia-Ukraine war. She also discusses what a career path would look like for those interested in such work, and about her time as a Fellow with the German Marshall Fund.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Dr. Zachary Paikin meets with Hadi Wess to discuss recent challenges facing Europe and the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict on the European Union, as well as explore current and future developments in Europe related to geopolitics, security, foreign policy, international order, and more.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Dr. Michael Manulak meets with Hadi Wess to explore the role of international institutions in addressing climate challenges and coordinating environmental action, as well as discuss his recent publication on the Change in Global Environmental Politics.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Professor Nour El Kadri meets with Hadi Wess to discuss the politics of the Arab world, analyze the issues of the Middle East, and explore Canada's role towards the region in a shifting global order.

In this episode of Policy Talks, Dr. Leigh Sarty meets with Michael Aronoff to discuss the history and origins of China-Russia relationship, the factors bringing and holding them together today, where their foreign policy goals converge and diverge, and what the Ukraine Crisis means for their relationship. They conclude by discussing broader implications and lessons learned from the Ukraine Crisis for Taiwan.

Jonathan Berkshire Miller, senior fellow at the Japan Institute on International Affairs and Director and Senior Fellow of the Indo-Pacific Program at the Macdonald Laurier Institute, meets with Michael Aronoff to discuss the concept of the Indo-Pacific, the impact of the current Ukraine Crisis on the region, and how Canada fits into this regional architecture.    About Jonathan Berkshire Miller

In Episode 54 of Policy Talks, we meet with Dr. David Zweig, an expert on Chinese politics and political risk, China's international and political economy, Chinese foreign policy, and US-China relations. Dr. Zweig discusses China's Thousand Talent Program, its implications for US security, and how the US government has responded to alleged espionage through its controversial China Initiative. This episode concludes with a brief analysis of US-China relations moving ahead in the future, the Uighur question, and how China may proceed with its claims on Taiwan.      

  This episode of the Policy Talks podcast dives into what post-Trump American foreign policy has been, and what's at stake for Canada and for the contemporary liberal international order at large in this shift. Professor Aaron Ettinger discusses what the Biden administration campaigned on in 2020 and later embraced in office when it comes to foreign policy. Analysis of Biden administration's policy reveals that nuances make it so that foreign policy choices cannot be chalked up to a “business-as-usual”, pre-Trump era approach, and the consequences of these nuances for Canada are discussed using historical Canada-U.S. relations as a framework. Later discussion talks about the emergence of progressive politics in recent years and its influence on American foreign policy and the current liberal international world order at large, ending with contemplations about what this could mean for foreign policy and international relations in the near future.

On March 25, the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University hosted former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lloyd Axworthy for a conversation on how COVID19, climate change and rising nationalism are changing Canadian foreign policy. In this special episode, we bring you excerpts from that event. You’ll also hear from Rebecca Tiessen, professor at the School of International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa and Richard Nimijean, professor at the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies at Carleton University.  The event was moderated by Dr. David Carment, professor at Carleton University and editor of the Canadian Foreign Policy Journal.

Recently, Global Affairs Canada released a new logo to brand its international aid and overseas development programmes. They claim that it will “raise awareness about Canada’s efforts to reduce poverty and build a more peaceful and prosperous world.” This move has drawn criticism from some, saying it sends the wrong message about aid. This month, I spoke with Themrise Khan, an independent research professional with over 25 years of experience in international development, social policy, gender and global migration to learn more. 

In this special bonus episode, we sit down with Wojtek Gwiazda, spokesperson for the Radio Canada International (RCI) Action Committee, about the fight to save RCI, which is at risk of losing its international broadcasting mandate and half its staff on April 1, 2021.  

It’s been one year since Canada shut down due to the COVID 19 pandemic. In that year there have been a host of challenges from a lack of PPE to a lagging vaccine rollout. But, lockdowns have posed an even greater challenge to those fleeing domestic violence.   This month we are focusing on what has become known as the ‘shadow pandemic.’ I spoke with Kaitlin Geiger-Bardswich of Women’s Shelter Canada to learn more. 

This month we take a look back at the tumultuous month that was January 2021 for the United States with Dr. Maxwell Cameron from the University of British Columbia. 

Part 2 of our two part series on Canada and China. In this episode, host Holden Thomas talks with Charles Burton about Meng Wanzhou, Hong Kong and the Uyghurs.  Note: This podcast was recorded over the summer, so some things may be out of date.  Host: Holden Thomas

Part 1 of our two part series exploring Canada's complicated relationship with China. We discuss the Meng Wanzhou case, Hong Kong, and the protection of the Uyghur people. Part 2 arrives in January. Host: Sarah Samwel

In this episode, we tackle diversity and inclusion in the highest levels of Canadian security. We speak with Huda Mukbil, a security expert, a former CSIS officer, and contributor to the Hill Times.     To see more of our content visit iaffairscanada.com. 

Guest: Dr. Jean Daudelin, Professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs

Guest: Dr. Harry Verhoeven, Associate professor at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Qatar

Guest: Professor Paul Adams, Professor of Journalism at Carleton University and former Middle East correspondent for the Globe & Mail

Guest: Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR representative in Canada

Guest: Dr. Michael Lettieri, Senior Research Fellow for the Council on Hemispheric Affairs

Producers Jyotsna Venkatesh and Kenneth Boddy summarize the commitments made by the G7 members at this year's summit that took place on June 8 - June 9, 2018 in Charlevoix, Quebec.

Guest:  Dr. Simon Palamar, Research Fellow of Global Security and Politics at the Centre for International Governance Innovation

Guest: Dr. Jez Littlewood, Assistant Professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs with expertise in proliferation and counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and counter-terrorism, international security, and intelligence.

Guest: Dr. Linda Freeman, a former professor of political science at Carleton University, and an expert on political affairs in South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Guest: Dr. Paul Evans, Professor, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia

Guest: Dr. Meredith Lilly, Associate Professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and former international trade advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Guests: Hamzeh Hadad and Alexandra Dufour, Graduate students at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs

Guest: Dr. Amarnath Amarasingam, Post-Doctoral Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Waterloo

Guest: Phil Gurski, CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting

Panelists: Jim Fergusson (University of Manitoba), and Christopher Sands (Johns Hopkins University) About:  A year after the election of President Trump, it is now time to take stock of the Canada-US relationship. May 2018 marks 60 years of NORAD and potentially big changes to NORAD’s command and control framework not to mention the negotiations to finance an upgrade of the North Warning System (NWS). As well, the borders are beginning to harden – joint border projects are stagnating and neither state is equipped to deal with the (re)emerging threat of cruise missiles. This panel was recorded at the Year Ahead: An International Security, Intelligence, and Defence Outlook for 2018. This is the annual flagship conference organized by the Centre for Security, Intelligence and Defence Studies at Carleton University.

Panelists: BGen David Anderson (Canadian Armed Forces), Monica Toft (Tufts University) and Steve Saideman (Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University) About: This panel presents the challenges for Canada’s ongoing missions and new missions, especially to Africa under a UN umbrella. This panel was recorded at the Year Ahead: An International Security, Intelligence, and Defence Outlook for 2018. This is the annual flagship conference organized by the Centre for Security, Intelligence and Defence Studies at Carleton University.

Panelists: Ankit Panda (The Diplomat), Barak Barfi (The Washington Institute) and Milana Nikolko (Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, Carleton University) About: This panel examines the immediate threats for Canada and its allies in 2018. All of these issues have a concomitant defence role whether it is the coalition efforts in the Middle East or Canada’s support to the US pivot to Asia or NATO operations in the Eastern Europe to demonstrate support for Western allies. This panel was recorded at the Year Ahead: An International Security, Intelligence, and Defence Outlook for 2018. This is the annual flagship conference organized by the Centre for Security, Intelligence and Defence Studies at Carleton University.

Policy Talks staff Bridget Healy, Somran Roy and Mark Haichin discuss highlights of the The Year Ahead 2018 conference hosted by the Centre for Security, Intelligence and and Defence Studies at Carleton University. 

Guest: Victoria Hermann, President and Managing Director of the Arctic Institute

Guest: Usama Khan, the Director of Finance and the Deputy CEO of Islamic Relief Canada

Guest: Bessma Momani, Senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and Professor at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the University of Waterloo

Guest: Aniket Bhushan Lead Analyst and Principal Investigator, Canadian International Development Platform

Guest: Dr. Achim Hurrelmann, Director of the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies and as the Associate Director of the Centre for European Studies at Carleton University

Guest: Barak Barfi, Research Fellow at the New America Foundation