Navigating a Changed World: Security Challenges for Canada, Eurasia, and the Arctic

• Hybrid event
• Richcraft Hall, Carleton University
• 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
• Meeting link to follow

Event Description:

Security and defence issues continue to mount and intertwine internationally in an ever more tenuous geopolitical situation. Both Eurasia and the Arctic act as global pivot points, implicating the world’s major powers alongside regional ones. This conference will examine key security and defence issues in these two regions that will shape Canada’s strategic landscape in 2025, particularly amid the uncertainty of a new U.S. presidential administration. As an Arctic country and NATO member, Canada has critical interests in evolving Northern and Eurasian security and defence environments. Canada has pledged to continue assistance to Ukraine and to safeguard its interests in the Arctic, has expanded its diplomatic presence in the Caucasus and must account for China’s ever-shifting global role, including in Central Asia. Bringing together scholars and practitioners, this conference will explore regional and global trends, identifying both emerging challenges and new opportunities for Canada in this complex security environment.

Schedule

8:45-9:00AM: Registration and Coffee

9:00-9:15AM: Opening Remarks

• Dr. Crina Viju-Miljusevic, EETN, Carleton University
• Olga Eaton, MINDS, Department of National Defence

9:15-10:45AM: Panel 1: Ukraine’s and Eastern Europe’s Future amid War and President Trump

• Chair: Balkan Devlen – Macdonald-Laurier Institute
• Dr. Toms Rostoks (National Defence Academy of Latvia)
• Dr. David Marples (University of Alberta)
• Neil Hauer (Journalist/ Regional Analyst)
• Dr. Milana Nikolko (Carleton University)

10:45-11:00AM: Break

11:00-12:30PM: Panel 2: Understanding and Combatting Russia’s Disinformation Campaigns

• Chair: Dr. Paul Goode – Carleton University
• Marcus Kolga (Macdonald-Laurier Institute)
• Dr. Charlotte Wagnsson (Swedish Defence University)
• Dr. Florian Töpfl (University of Passau, joining remotely)
• Dr. Sergey Sanovich (Stanford University)

12:30-1:30PM: Lunch

1:30-3:00PM: Panel 3: The Caucasus and Central Asia: European Security, Canada’s Role and a Russo-Chinese “Great Game?”

• Chair: Dr. Jeff Sahadeo – Carleton University
• Dr. Magdalena Dembinska (Université de Montréal)
• Dr. Erica Marat (National Defense University, Washington DC)
• Dr. Natia Chakvatadze (Harvard University)
• Dr. Edward Schatz (University of Toronto)

3:00-3:15PM: Break

3:15-4:45PM: Panel 4: Arctic Security: Navigating Geopolitical Risks and Emerging Challenges

• Chair: Dr. Crina Viju-Miljusevic – Carleton University
• Alexander Dalziel (Macdonald – Laurier Institute)
• Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer (Trent University)
• Cordelia Buchanan Ponczek (Finnish Institute of International Affairs)
• Chris Henderson (ex-Canadian Coast Guard)
• Dr. Jennifer Spence (Harvard University, Kennedy School)

4:45PM: Closing Remarks