Recent Posts

Events

Our Programming

Featured

IPSF2023-Facebook-Event-Cover-1200X630-V2-2
Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum 2023

4-5 Dec 2023

The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) and the Canada West Foundation (CWF) were delighted to co-host the third annual Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum (IPSF 2023) on December 4-5, 2023 in downtown Ottawa.

Recent and Upcoming

All Events

52649714782_5ba05a88fb_b (1)
Panel — The Future of Canadian Diplomacy: Engaging Young Canadians and Civil Society
Copy of Canada Taiwan Forum on Economic Security
Canada-Taiwan Forum on Economic Security
48796158602_19457bda6f_o
Panel — What If Trump Wins? Consequences for Europe and Ukraine
9708754564_4b3c8a7505_k
Panel — Energizing Defence: NATO's New Era of Energy Security and Transition
9b7aec287048cfadae4a52f441e7dd6e_1703013330_extra_large
Panel — Confronting Uncertainty: Prospects for the Russia-Ukraine War in 2024
Nov 21 Panel — True North A Canadian Foreign Policy That Puts the National Interest First
Panel — True North: A Canadian Foreign Policy That Puts the National Interest First
IPSF2023-Facebook-Event-Cover-1200X630-V2-2
Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum 2023
F7ihpfzXsAA6FTG
Panel — Emerging Stronger and More Versatile: Canada's Army Modernization
IPD-Dialogue-on-Taiwan-5-scaled
Ottawa Dialogue on Taiwan
Middle East Strategy Forum, IPD-24
Middle East Strategy Forum 2023
52650647420_9343ace8c8_b
Colloquium — Canada in a Shifting International Order: Debating our National Interests
nato1
Panel — 2023 Vilnius Summit: Implications for Canada and NATO's Future
3238927961_7a46b65142_o
Panel — Canada's Arctic Agenda: A Changing Strategic Landscape
acf854d2a4f3a7ea73183c95667dd0ee_1649077950_extra_large
Panel — The Ukrainian Counteroffensive: Prospects and Scenarios
51926383296_a4c87a1494_b
Panel — Navigating New Challenges: A Roundtable on Canada’s Defence Policy Update
8269929
In-Person Symposium — The Future of European Security in the Wake of the Ukraine War
Feb 13 Panel One Year After Russia's Aggression What Future for NATO (3)
Panel — One Year After Russia’s Aggression: What Future for NATO?
Indo-Pacific
Book Event — Van Jackson’s ‘Pacific Power Paradox: American Statecraft and the Fate of the Asian Peace’
57
In-Person Dialogue — The Future of Canada-China Environmental Diplomacy
October 7 Panel Russia's Annexations Repercussions for European Security & the International Order (1)
Panel — Russia's Annexations: Repercussions for European Security & the International Order
EASF 2022 Slide Deck (1)
Panel — Two Years On: What Lies Ahead of the Abraham Accords & Middle East Security?
EASF 2022
East Asia Strategy Forum 2022
August 19 Panel Marginalisé réflexions sur l’isolement du Canada dans les relations internationales (1)
Lancement de livre — Marginalisé: réflexions sur l'isolement du Canada dans les relations internationales
August 11 Debate Should the West Push for a Negotiated Solution with Russia in the Ukraine War (1)
Debate — Should the West Push for a Negotiated Solution with Russia in the Ukraine War?
June 29 Panel The war in Ukraine How long will Western unity last (2)
Panel — The War in Ukraine: How Long Will Western Unity Last?
Banner - 3
Video Recordings: Middle East Strategy Forum 2022
April 27 Panel Defending North America After Putin's War in Ukraine (2)
Panel — Defending North America After Putin's War in Ukraine
April 21 Panel US-China Relations Amid War in Ukraine (1)
Panel — U.S.-China Relations Amid War in Ukraine
March 16 Panel Iran Nuclear Talks at an Impasse (2)
Panel — Iran Nuclear Talks at an Impasse
FNW1pYHWYAY_Vys
Panel — Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Short- and Long-Term Implications for Canada
40e5e66a54d33fc445e122716d8a71f5_1646830300_extra_large
Panel — The Ukraine-Russia War: Prospects for De-Escalation
March 15 Panel China's Position and Its Role in the Ukraine-Russia War (1)
Panel — China's Role in the Ukraine-Russia War
25020641953_6eaa27c910_h
Panel — A Year of Ups and Downs: President Biden's Foreign Policy at the One-Year Mark
Feb 17 Panel Global Aviation Policy Roundtable 2022 Regional Perspectives and the Common Path Towards Sustainability
Panel — Global Aviation Policy Roundtable 2022: Regional Perspectives and the Common Path Towards Sustainability
Flag_of_Ukraine
Panel — Russia-West Tensions Over Ukraine: Is There a Diplomatic Solution?
19504328348_7dbe3106f0_k
Panel — Iran Nuclear Talks at a Turning Point
photo-1578604665675-9aee692f6ddc
Panel — Canada-China Relations in a Changing Environment: Climate, Energy and the Arctic
9psiUg5YWkIeisYDVxNQQgzBbKFEnAzP
Panel — Russia’s Buildup Near Ukraine: What Are Canada’s Interests and Options?
university (1)
Panel — The Impact of Strained Ties With China on Canadian Universities
photo debate
Debate — Should the U.S. Seek to Contain China?
plane
Panel — Keeping the Skies Safe: Prospects for Global Cooperation
Evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport
Panel — Afghanistan: Understanding What Happened After 20 Years of International Intervention and How to Move Forward
multiculturalism
Panel — How Will Strained Ties With China Affect Multiculturalism in Canada?
5E9A12C2-0CC5-4427-84DB-49C81ED8B106
In Conversation — Demystifying 5G, Cyber Security and Hi-tech Regulatory Regimes
EASF-Banner-No-Name (2)
Video Recordings: East Asia Strategy Forum 2021
jcpoa flags-min
Panel — Prospects for Iran Nuclear Talks
Panel 4 easf 2021- youtube size (1)
Panel — Calculating the Relationship: China’s Economic Impact on Canada
Nov 1
Panel — China's Place in Canada's Vision of a "Rules-Based Order"
51522185464_10cba8450d_o
Panel — After the Two Michaels: How Should Canada Navigate the U.S.-China Rivalry?
US Treasury (1)
Panel — Can Sanctions Succeed: Reflecting on a Decade of Financial Coercion
Canada China Aug 25 panel
Panel — Impasse or Turning Point? Canada-China Relations at a Crossroads
Aug 24 Afghanistan panel
Panel — What’s Next for Afghanistan Amid Taliban’s Rise and US Withdrawal?
Youtube Highlight Thumbnails
In Conversation — The Sino-American Split: At Sea with a Broken Compass
FINAL-1
Panel — The Digital 'Great Game': the Technological Frontier in U.S.-China Strategic Competition
Old Panels
Panel — U.S. Perspectives on China and the Nature of the Chinese Challenge to U.S. National Interests
IPD-Banner-No-Name-3 (1)
Video Recordings: Middle East Strategy Forum 2021
canada-china relations webinar
Panel — Assessing Canada-China Relations: Challenges and Opportunities
Untitled design (14)
Panel — Privacy and Passenger Biometrics: New Developments and Perspectives
middle east map
Panel — Prospects for Iran-GCC Rapprochement in the Biden Era
US China
Panel — U.S.-China Relations Under the Biden Administration
Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of may 22, 2020
Panel — China's Vision of International Order
2740759
Panel — The Future of Iran Nuclear Deal Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions
june 15, 2020
Panel — Canada's Bid for UN Security Council
Copy of may 22, 2020 (3)
Panel — The Future of Canada-China Relations
may 22, 2020 (1)
Panel — The New Government in Iraq: Challenges and Opportunities for Peace and Security
11-13
In Conversation — Economic Sanctions and Protection of Fundamental Human Rights: A Perspective from Tehran
ipd panel
Parliamentary Briefing — Middle East Security and Human Rights in Iran
maxresdefault-3
Parliamentary Briefing — Canada's Role in the Middle East and Its Iran Policy
Panel 4: Pathways to Manage Non-Proliferation in the Middle East (4:30 PM - 5:45 PM ET)

The Western powers have failed to effectively manage the increasing threat of proliferation in the Middle East. While the international community is concerned with Iran’s nuclear program, Saudi Arabia has moved forward with developing its own nuclear program, and independent studies show that Israel has longed possessed dozens of nuclear warheads. The former is a member of the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), while the latter has refused to sign the international agreement. 

On Middle East policy, the Biden campaign had staunchly criticized the Trump administration’s unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), more commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal and it has begun re-engaging Iran on the nuclear dossier since assuming office in January 2021. However, serious obstacles remain for responsible actors in expanding non-proliferation efforts toward a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East. 

This panel will discuss how Western powers and multilateral institutions, such as the IAEA, can play a more effective role in managing non-proliferation efforts in the Middle East.  

Panelists:

Peggy Mason: Canada’s former Ambassador to the UN for Disarmament

Mark Fitzpatrick: Associate Fellow & Former Executive Director, International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)

Ali Vaez: Iran Project Director, International Crisis Group

Negar Mortazavi: Journalist and Political Analyst, Host of Iran Podcast

David Albright: Founder and President of the Institute for Science and International Security

 

Closing (5:45 PM – 6:00 PM ET)

Panel 3: Trade and Business Diplomacy in the Middle East (3:00 PM - 4:15 PM ET)

What is the current economic landscape in the Middle East? While global foreign direct investment is expected to fall drastically in the post-COVID era, the World Bank reported a 5% contraction in the economic output of the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries in 2020 due to the pandemic. While oil prices are expected to rebound with normalization in demand, political instability, regional and geopolitical tensions, domestic corruption, and a volatile regulatory and legal environment all threaten economic recovery in the Middle East. What is the prospect for economic growth and development in the region post-pandemic, and how could MENA nations promote sustainable growth and regional trade moving forward?

At the same time, Middle Eastern diaspora communities have become financially successful and can help promote trade between North America and the region. In this respect, the diaspora can become vital intermediaries for advancing U.S. and Canada’s business interests abroad. Promoting business diplomacy can both benefit the MENA region and be an effective and positive way to advance engagement and achieve foreign policy goals of the North Atlantic.

This panel will investigate the trade and investment opportunities in the Middle East, discuss how facilitating economic engagement with the region can benefit Canadian and American national interests, and explore relevant policy prescriptions.

Panelists:

Hon. Sergio Marchi: Canada’s Former Minister of International Trade

Scott Jolliffe: Chairperson, Canada Arab Business Council

Esfandyar Batmanghelidj: Founder and Publisher of Bourse & Bazaar

Nizar Ghanem: Director of Research and Co-founder at Triangle

Nicki Siamaki: Researcher at Control Risks

Panel 2: Arms Race and Terrorism in the Middle East (12:00 PM - 1:15 PM ET)

The Middle East continues to grapple with violence and instability, particularly in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. Fueled by government incompetence and foreign interventions, terrorist insurgencies have imposed severe humanitarian and economic costs on the region. Meanwhile, regional actors have engaged in an unprecedented pursuit of arms accumulation. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have imported billions of both Western and Russian-made weapons and funded militant groups across the region, intending to contain their regional adversaries, particularly Iran. Tehran has also provided sophisticated weaponry to various militia groups across the region to strengthen its geopolitical position against Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Israel. 

On the other hand, with international terrorist networks and intense regional rivalry in the Middle East, it is impractical to discuss peace and security without addressing terrorism and the arms race in the region. This panel will primarily discuss the implications of the ongoing arms race in the region and the role of Western powers and multilateral organizations in facilitating trust-building security arrangements among regional stakeholders to limit the proliferation of arms across the Middle East.

 

Panelists:

Luciano Zaccara: Assistant Professor, Qatar University

Dania Thafer: Executive Director, Gulf International Forum

Kayhan Barzegar: Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the Science and Research Branch of Azad University

Barbara Slavin: Director of Iran Initiative, Atlantic Council

Sanam Shantyaei: Senior Journalist at France24 & host of Middle East Matters

Panel 1: Future of Diplomacy and Engagement in the Middle East (10:30 AM-11:45 AM ET)

The emerging regional order in West Asia will have wide-ranging implications for global security. The Biden administration has begun re-engaging Iran on the nuclear dossier, an initiative staunchly opposed by Israel, while also taking a harder line on Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen. Meanwhile, key regional actors, including Qatar, Iraq, and Oman, have engaged in backchannel efforts to bring Iran and Saudi Arabia to the negotiating table. From a broader geopolitical perspective, with the need to secure its energy imports, China is also expected to increase its footprint in the region and influence the mentioned challenges. 

In this evolving landscape, Western powers will be compelled to redefine their strategic priorities and adjust their policies with the new realities in the region. In this panel, we will discuss how the West, including the United States and its allies, can utilize multilateral diplomacy with its adversaries to prevent military escalation in the region. Most importantly, the panel will discuss if a multilateral security dialogue in the Persian Gulf region, proposed by some regional actors, can help reduce tensions among regional foes and produce sustainable peace and development for the region. 

Panelists:

Abdullah Baabood: Academic Researcher and Former Director of the Centre for Gulf Studies, Qatar University

Trita Parsi: Executive Vice-President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft

Ebtesam Al-Ketbi: President, Emirates Policy Centre​

Jon Allen: Canada’s Former Ambassador to Israel

Elizabeth Hagedorn: Washington correspondent for Al-Monitor

Panel 4: Humanitarian Diplomacy: An Underused Foreign Policy Tool in the Middle East (4:30 PM - 5:30 PM ET)

Military interventions, political and economic instabilities, and civil unrest in the Middle East have led to a global refugee crisis with an increasing wave of refugees and asylum seekers to Europe and Canada. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has, in myriad ways, exacerbated and contributed to the ongoing security threats and destabilization of the region.

While these challenges pose serious risks to Canadian security, Ottawa will also have the opportunity to limit such risks and prevent a spillover effect vis-à-vis effective humanitarian initiatives in the region. In this panel, we will primarily investigate Canada’s Middle East Strategy’s degree of success in providing humanitarian aid to the region. Secondly, the panel will discuss what programs and initiatives Canada can introduce to further build on the renewed strategy. and more specifically, how Canada can utilize its policy instruments to more effectively deal with the increasing influx of refugees from the Middle East. 

 

Panelists:

Erica Di Ruggiero: Director of Centre for Global Health, University of Toronto

Reyhana Patel: Head of Communications & Government Relations, Islamic Relief Canada

Amir Barmaki: Former Head of UN OCHA in Iran

Catherine Gribbin: Senior Legal Advisor for International and Humanitarian Law, Canadian Red Cross

Panel 3: A Review of Canada’s Middle East Engagement and Defense Strategy (3:00 PM - 4:15 PM ET)

In 2016, Canada launched an ambitious five-year “Middle East Engagement Strategy” (2016-2021), committing to investing CA$3.5 billion over five years to help establish the necessary conditions for security and stability, alleviate human suffering and enable stabilization programs in the region. In the latest development, during the meeting of the Global Coalition against ISIS, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau announced more than $43.6 million in Peace and Stabilization Operations Program funding for 11 projects in Syria and Iraq.

With Canada’s Middle East Engagement Strategy expiring this year, it is time to examine and evaluate this massive investment in the Middle East region in the past five years. More importantly, the panel will discuss a principled and strategic roadmap for the future of Canada’s short-term and long-term engagement in the Middle East.

Panelists:

Ferry de Kerckhove: Canada’s Former Ambassador to Egypt

Dennis Horak: Canada’s Former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Chris Kilford: Former Canadian Defence Attaché in Turkey, member of the national board of the Canadian International Council (CIC)

David Dewitt: University Professor Emeritus, York University

Panel 2: The Great Power Competition in the Middle East (12:00 PM - 1:15 PM ET)

While the United States continues to pull back from certain regional conflicts, reflected by the Biden administration’s decision to halt American backing for Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen and the expected withdrawal from Afghanistan, US troops continue to be stationed across the region. Meanwhile, Russia and China have significantly maintained and even expanded their regional activities. On one hand, the Kremlin has maintained its military presence in Syria, and on the other hand, China has signed an unprecedented 25-year strategic agreement with Iran.

As the global power structure continues to shift, it is essential to analyze the future of the US regional presence under the Biden administration, explore the emerging global rivalry with Russia and China, and at last, investigate the implications of such competition for peace and security in the Middle East.

Panelists:

Dmitri Trenin: Director of Carnegie Moscow Center

Joost R. Hiltermann: Director of MENA Programme, International Crisis Group

Roxane Farmanfarmaian: Affiliated Lecturer in International Relations of the Middle East and North Africa, University of Cambridge

Andrew A. Michta: Dean of the College of International and Security Studies at Marshall Center

Kelley Vlahos: Senior Advisor, Quincy Institute

Panel 1: A New Middle East Security Architecture in the Making (10:30 AM -11:45 AM ET)

The security architecture of the Middle East has undergone rapid transformations in an exceptionally short period. Notable developments include the United States gradual withdrawal from the region, rapprochement between Israel and some GCC states through the Abraham Accords and the rise of Chinese and Russian regional engagement.

With these new trends in the Middle East, it is timely to investigate the security implications of the Biden administration’s Middle East policy. In this respect, we will discuss the Biden team’s new approach vis-à-vis Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. The panel will also discuss the role of other major powers, including China and Russia in shaping this new security environment in the region, and how the Biden administration will respond to these powers’ increasing regional presence.

 

Panelists:

Sanam Vakil: Deputy Director of MENA Programme at Chatham House

Denise Natali: Acting Director, Institute for National Strategic Studies & Director of the Center for Strategic Research, National Defense University

Hassan Ahmadian: Professor of the Middle East and North Africa Studies, University of Tehran

Abdulaziz Sagar: Chairman, Gulf Research Center

Andrew Parasiliti: President, Al-Monitor