Report on Panel Discussion “Alliances and Partnerships in Shifting Geopolitical Landscapes”
By Colonel (Ret’d) John L. Orr, 5 November 2025
The Canadian Maritime Security Network (CNSM) held a panel discussion - "Alliances and Partnerships in Shifting Geopolitical Landscapes" - at Saint Mary’s University on 15 October in partnership with the Royal Canadian Navy. Participants included the Chiefs of Navy of Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Norway, and Pakistan. The panel discussion was moderated by CNR Editorial Board members Dr. Rob Huebert of the University of Calgary and Dr. Adam Lajeunesse of St. Francis Xavier University. Further details are at https://www.cmsn.ca/chon
Why hold this panel in Halifax?
The panel was originally scheduled to be held in the United States but after their withdrawal, the CNSM offered to hold the event in Canada.
Who attended?
In addition to the Chiefs of Navy mentioned above, the audience was mainly composed of naval personnel drawn from the Headquarters, Maritime Forces Atlantic, including Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander MARLANT and an in-house course from Fleet School Halifax. There were a few civilians, mostly retired personnel, along with a number of students.
Discussion
Post continues on the Broadsides Forum
Trending now:
- Report on Panel Discussion “Alliances and Partnerships in Shifting Geopolitical Landscapes”
- The Canadian Coast Guard and National Security
- The Promised Government Support for DND – Where Do We Begin?
- Under ICE Pact, the United States announces it will build their Arctic Security Cutters (ASC) first - October 9, 2025
- The Critical Influence on Future Canadian Military Planning
- Will the New DIA Optimize Defence Procurement?
- Submarines for Canada
- Well Played, Admiral!
- Potential Military Gaps within NATO
- Can DND think outside the US defence box?
- Thinking about Op Caribbe
- Announcing the 2026 CNMT Essay Competition
- Kingston Class Gets Paid-Off
- CNR sponsors: visit page
Latest Issue: Canadian Naval Review Vol. 21 No. 2 - Canadian Coast Guard Theme Issue
We have a special treat in store for CNR fans. Given the exciting changes that have occurred recently, including a change in its institutional home, we’ve produced a theme issue focused on the Canadian Coast Guard. This theme issue is sponsored by the Canadian Maritime Security Network.
This issue of CNR contains a variety of articles, by high-level and well-known authors, examining different elements of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). We start with quick overviews of the traditional roles the CCG has performed, particularly in the Arctic, and the new era for the CCG – in terms of new ships, new threats, new opportunities and new environment.
Our first article, “The Canadian Coast Guard and National Security,” looks at how the CCG can contribute to the national security environment after its move to DND. The second article, “Canada’s Coast Guard at a Crossroads: Safeguarding Shores and Security,” examines how the CCG move to DND can leverage “the CCG’s assets and capabilities to close gaps in the country’s common operating picture and deliver a more holistic national defence.”
The third article, “The Cost of Success: Rebuilding the Coast Guard’s Arctic Capabilities,” outlines that, despite the welcome addition of new ships for the CCG, the Canadian government is perpetuating the boom-and-bust cycle of shipbuilding. As well, the government is ensuring that the CCG will be ironing out wrinkles for years because of (a) the problems inherent in the first-of-class builds, (b) the different maintenance, crewing and training needs for the different ships, and (c) the fact that, once again, the fleet will have to be replaced wholesale in 30(ish) years. The fourth article, “The Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region: Transforming Arctic Search and Rescue,” takes a close look at how the CCG has worked to improve its relationships in the North, and in this way to improve its response, and the response of local communities, to search-and-rescue operations. The final article, “How US Coast Guard Failures can Inform Canadian Success,” examines the recent USCG experience recapitalizing its fleet. In particular the article focuses on the need for strategic planning and getting the support of politicians, and examines hard lessons the USCG has learned about recruitment – with the hope that the CCG can learn from these lessons.
We don’t have our usual Making Waves commentaries, or “A View from the West” or “Warship Developments” but we do have “Dollars and Sense.” In this issue, “Dollars and Sense” looks at how the move of the CCG to DND affects defence spending, and can contribute to enhanced maritime domain awareness.
In addition to all this great information, we have our usual amazing photos – this time with a focus on CCG red and white ships!
Assuming that the Canada Post strike ends in the near future, the fall issue will be in your mailbox soon. E-subscribers will receive copies soon too. See the Table of Contents here.
CNR resources
- Previous Issues
- CNR Archives (2005-2025)
- Subject Index for CNR Articles
- Broadsides Forum - Join the Discussion
- Submissions to Canadian Naval Review
- Subscriptions - unlock access to all CNR materials
- Sponsor page
- Book Reviews
- Free CNR articles and PDF downloads
- Follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn
- Donate to CNR
- Special offer
Read more: CNR Archives (60+ magazines in PDF) and Subject Index (600+ articles)
Looking for Books about Maritime Matters?
Over the last 20 years, Canadian Naval Review has published over 180 book reviews. These books cover a variety of topics but they all relate to maritime matters, history, or security and defence at sea. This is an amazing resource. Go through the list of reviews, pick out a few books that look interesting, read the reviews, and then order the books from your nearest bookstore or from the publisher. See the list of book reviews at https://www.navalreview.ca/book-reviews/