In this episode of Battle Rhythm, Steve and Stef talk about Turkey’s recent incursion against Kurdish forces in Northern Syria. They explore how the Trump administration’s foreign policy led to this moment and elaborate on the implications for NATO. In light of the impending Canadian election, Steve and Stef discuss the foreign policy positions of the main parties. In the Network Highlights segment, Steve speaks with Harleen Atwal about the NATO Field School and Simulation Program. The feature interview is with Dr. Alice Pannier who shares her expertise in European security politics. Finally, in Steve’s Peeves, some thoughts from Steve on the NBA pandering to China.

Participant Biographies:

• Stéfanie von Hlatky: Associate Professor of political studies at Queen’s University and the former Director of the Queen’s Centre for International and Defence Policy (CIDP). Her research focuses on NATO, armed forces, military interventions, and defence policy. Fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
• Stephen M. Saideman: Paterson Chair in International Affairs, as well as Director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network – Réseau Canadien Sur La Défense et la Sécurité, and Professor of International Affairs at Carleton University. Fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
• Harleen Atwal: an MA student at Simon Fraser University. She received the Alumni Association Outstanding Student Leadership Award for her service to Simon Fraser University. Atwal’s service involved volunteer work she performed for the 2018 NATO Field School and Simulation Program, of which she is now manager
• Alice Pannier: an expert on European security. Her research interests cover security and defense cooperation in Europe, transatlantic relations, and contemporary military interventions, with a particular focus on France, the UK and Germany. A graduate from King’s College London and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Alice received her PhD in International Relations from Sciences Po Paris, with joint supervision from King’s College London. Her work has appeared, inter alia, in International Affairs, the Journal of Strategic Studies, European Security, and Global Affairs. She is currently preparing a book, co-authored with Olivier Schmitt (University of Southern Denmark) on French defense policy since the end of the Cold War (under contract with Routledge) and a manuscript based on her dissertation on contemporary Franco-British defense relations.

Related Links:

• CDSN-RCDS