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21. Strategic Influence Reconsidered: Defence Research and Combat Development in Canada's Early Cold War Army

Author:
Andrew Godefroy
Publication Date:
06-2014
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
Throughout the twentieth century, even when not at war, professionally-minded citizen armies continued to think about future conflicts; in particular what they might be like, where they might take place, against whom, and if possible, why. As well, armies that were smart enough to think ahead did what they could to be ready for the next conflict through engagement in strategic foresight activities, the investigation of new ideas and concepts, the examination and assessment of emerging trends, the creation of new doctrines, and the development of robust physical, intellectual, and social capital within their standing armies. Finally, commanders would often seek to train their soldiers for tasks both probable and possible, knowing all the while that despite the best efforts and preparations it would be impossible to fully anticipate every possibility, and therefore, mitigate all future risk.
Political Geography:
Canada

22. Preparing for the War of the Future in the Wake of Defeat: The Evolution of German Strategic Thought, 1919-1935

Author:
Mark Shannon
Publication Date:
06-2014
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
Germany's defeat in the First World War came as a profound shock. While the nation was stunned by the peace settlement that followed, the military was faced with the inescapable reality that their approach to fighting a prolonged industrialized conflict was flawed. The years following Germany's defeat found the army in search of reasons for its failure. The officer corps sought to analyze its experience with "total war" and to draw the correct lessons from it. In this way, the army could prepare for the war of the future, secure in the knowledge that any repetition of the First World War could be avoided. In short, the German armed forces began the detailed process of distilling relevant military lessons from the conflict and applying them to their perception of a future war. While many of the lessons learned and studied had to do with tactics and technology, it is the purpose of this analysis to examine the strategic debate that ensued. Regardless of how strategy would be formulated in the coming years, it maintained at its heart one simple objective that is best summarized in a conversation between General Walther Reinhardt and Colonel Albrecht von Thaer in January 1919. Thaer expressed his pessimism for the coming years but Reinhardt, a liberal officer who was about to assume command of the War Ministry disagreed. He openly stated that "the goal is and remains a free Germany, hopefully restored to its former borders, with [the] strongest, most modern army with [the] newest weapons. One must not let this goal recede from view for even one moment." Rearmament and conscription would return, he declared, but when Thaer suggested this might be possible in the distant future, Reinhardt assured him that "We must and will be in position to do so in 15 years." Clearly, planning for the next war began at the moment defeat in the First World War was realized.
Political Geography:
Canada and Germany

23. It is Time to Start Talking about Mitt: Mitt Romney and the Issue of Missile Defence

Author:
Dr. Matthew Trudgen
Publication Date:
10-2012
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
In the weeks since he has secured the Republican Presidential Nomination, Mitt Romney has gone from being a long shot challenger for the presidency to being a legitimate contender. The result is that it is now time to discuss what a Romney presidency could mean for the Canada, and one issue that could surface as flash point in the bilateral relationship is ballistic missile defence (BMD). Consequently, it is important to ask the question of what level of interest will a President Romney have in this issue. This article argues that Romney will be a strong supporter of expanding America's missile defences for a number of reasons.
Topic:
Security
Political Geography:
United States, America, and Canada

24. Nobody Knows Anything: Canada's Cyber Insecurities

Author:
John Ferris
Publication Date:
10-2012
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
This special issue of The Journal of Military and Strategic Studies stems from papers presented to the conference, “Nobody Knows Anything: Canada's Cyber Insecurities”, held in Calgary during May 2012. The conference focused on Canada, but tackled problems, solutions, conditions and dilemmas which are international. It was hosted by The Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute; The Centre for Military and Strategic Studies and The School of Public Policy, at The University of Calgary; and The Journal of Military and Strategic Studies. The organising committee was Cam Ross, Major-General ( retired) and Dr. Jack Mintz, of The School for Public Policy; Dr Jörg Denzinger, from The Department of Computer Science, The University of Calgary; and Dr. David Bercuson, Dr. John Ferris and Nancy Pearson Mackie, from The Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. A list of the speakers is attached in Appendix A.
Political Geography:
Canada

25. A Middle Power on the World Stage: Canadian Grand Strategy in the Twentieth Century

Author:
Michael S. Neiberg
Publication Date:
10-2012
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming. Before I say another word, I'd like to thank David Bercuson for this great honor to be here today and Nancy Pearson Mackey for all the hard work that she has done to help me get here. I'd like to begin with three quick caveats. The first, as I reminded David when he invited me to give this lecture, is that I am not an historian of Canada. David seemed to think that my lack of formal training in this field would not pose an insurmountable obstacle to my delivering such a distinguished lecture in Canadian history, and I am putting my faith and trust in him that this is in fact so. It is not my intention here today to tell Canadians anything about their own history that they do not know. It is instead to perform the task David has given me: to place the history of Canada at war in the 20th century into a wider context and to train an outsider's eye onto the problems of Canada and its approach to war and strategy.
Political Geography:
Canada

26. Editorial

Author:
Terry Terriff, James Keeley, and John Ferris
Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
The May election brought substantial change to Canada, with both a majority Conservative government and the emergence of the New Democratic Party as the Official Opposition. Whether the Liberals can, over the longer term, recover from their historic defeat remains to be seen. For the time being, however, barring a major misstep from either the Conservatives or the NDP, the Liberals, necessarily focused on rebuilding, will be less of a factor in defence policy.
Political Geography:
Canada

27. The Patrol: Seven Days in the Life of a Canadian Soldier in Afghanistan

Author:
Ryan Flavelle
Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
Nothing can prepare a person for the reality of bloody, concussive warfare. . . . Those who like war are aptly named warriors. Some, like me, are fated never to be warriors, as we are more afraid of war than fascinated by it. But I have the consolation that I have walked with warriors, and know what kind of men they are. I will never be a warrior, but I have known war.
Topic:
War
Political Geography:
Afghanistan and Canada

28. Endings Of Eras

Author:
James Keeley
Publication Date:
05-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
Two significant periods seem to be coming to an end for students of security in Canada – one local, relatively brief and certain, while the other is somewhat longer, world-historical in nature, and somewhat less certain.
Topic:
Security
Political Geography:
Canada

29. Canada and 9/11: Ten Years On - Editorial Note

Author:
Gavin Cameron
Publication Date:
05-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
Did, as was frequently claimed in the following months and years, everything change on September 11, 2001? The following four articles focus on parts of Canada's security environment in the ten years since 2001. Each describe significant developments in that time, whether in perceptions of threat or in the responses that were pursued in reply but, for the most part, these changes are best characterized as evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The changes occurred and may have reflected radical shifts in emphasis, but they often represented dynamics that were present before September 2001.
Topic:
Security and Climate Change
Political Geography:
Canada

30. The Canadian Intelligence Community After 9/11

Author:
Greg Fyffe
Publication Date:
05-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
After September 2001, the Canadian intelligence community gained substantial new resources and revised mandates. Institutional structures were modified to focus on new threats and improve coordination. Agencies gained in impact because they had more capacity to deal with potential terrorists and gather information in a world which was more chaotic, more threatening, and more unpredictable.
Political Geography:
Canada