
The CGAI Podcast Network
The CGAI Podcast Network is created and produced by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Join us each week to explore the energy, defense, and international affairs stories that matter to Canadians. Listen now to CGAI podcasts “The Global Exchange”, “Defence Deconstructed”, and “Energy Security Cubed”, and partner podcasts “Battle Rhythm" and “Conseils de sécurité”. Visit www.cgai.ca for more, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
The Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI) is a charitable, independent, non-partisan, research institute based in Ottawa, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta.
Latest episodes

Oct 4, 2024 • 1h 55min
Defence Deconstructed: Taiwan's Security Future & Building in the High Arctic
On this episode of Defence Deconstructed, David Perry talks to our fellow and retired Vice Admiral Mark Norman and our program director Dr Ian Brodie about their trip to Taiwan and the security situation on the island. This conversation was recorded on 30 Sep 2024.
Then, you’ll hear a panel discussion on the complexities of building in the high Arctic with
• Capt (N) ret’d David Hudock, National Director, Defence and Federal Government Relations at PCL Construction
• Leah Carson, Partner, Deal Advisory, Global Infrastructure Advisor at KPMG
• Josh Armstrong, Architect at Stantec
• Brandon Morris, Principal and Practice Lead – Buildings, Northern Canada for Stantec
• Moderated by Dan Doran, Partner at KPMG
That conversation was a panel from our conference on building the necessary infrastructure for NORAD modernization, which took place on June 13, 2024. This event was made possible thanks to the Department of National Defence’s MINDS Program, CGAI’s strategic sponsors Lockheed Martin Canada, General Dynamics, Hanwha Defence and Ocean, Cenovus, conference sponsors Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, PCL Construction, and Rio Tinto.
Defence Deconstructed is brought to you by Irving Shipbuilding.
Music Credits to Drew Phillips; produced by Charlotte Duval-Lantoine

Oct 3, 2024 • 45min
Energy Security Cubed: Nickel and the Decline of Globalization with Cullen Hendrix
On this episode of the Energy Security Cubed Podcast, Kelly Ogle and Joe Calnan interview Cullen Hendrix about a recent US Department of Labour ruling against Indonesian nickel production, how it demonstrates the decline of trade globalization, and what it could mean for Canada.
You can find Cullen's article for The Diplomat here: https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/us-forced-labor-ruling-on-indonesian-nickel-could-backfire/
Previous Energy Security Cubed with Cullen: https://www.cgai.ca/security_risks_of_climate_change_and_energy_transition_with_cullen_hendrix
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Guest Bio:
- Cullen Hendrix is a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a non-resident fellow at the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines
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Host Bio:
- Kelly Ogle is Managing Director of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
- Joe Calnan is a Fellow and Energy Security Forum Manager at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
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Reading recommendations:
- "The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives", by Ernest Scheyder: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/The-War-Below/Ernest-Scheyder/9781668011805
- "The Squared Circle: Life, Death, and Professional Wrestling", by David Shoemaker: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/311224/the-squared-circle-by-david-shoemaker/9781592408818
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Interview recording Date: September 26, 2024
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Energy Security Cubed is part of the CGAI Podcast Network. Follow the Canadian Global Affairs Institute on Facebook, Twitter (@CAGlobalAffairs), or on LinkedIn. Head over to our website at www.cgai.ca for more commentary.
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Produced by Joe Calnan. Music credits to Drew Phillips.

Sep 30, 2024 • 59min
The Global Exchange: The Canada-US Border Amid Political and Economic Change
For this episode of the Global Exchange podcast, Colin Robertson talks with Laura Dawson, Nathalie Kinloch, and Ryan Greer. This podcast is associated with the work of the Expert Group on Canada-U.S. Relations, an initiative supported by The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, and the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
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Participants' bios
- Laura Dawson is Executive Director of the Future Borders Coalition: https://www.futureborderscoalition.org/
- Natalie Kinloch is the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Bridge Corporation: https://federalbridge.ca/
- Ryan Greer is Vice President, Public Affairs and National Policy at Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters: https://cme-mec.ca/about/
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Host bio:
Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, www.cgai.ca/colin_robertson //
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Read & Watch:
- "Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella": https://gem.cbc.ca/without-precedent-the-supreme-life-of-rosalie-abella
- "The End of the World Is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization", by Peter Zeihan: https://www.amazon.ca/End-World-Just-Beginning-Globalization/dp/006323047X
- "The Habits That Hold Leaders Back, with Marshall Goldsmith": https://coachingforleaders.com/podcast/habits-that-hold-leaders-back-marshall-goldsmith/
- "Truth Be Told: My Journey Through Life and the Law", by Beverley McLachlin: https://www.amazon.ca/Truth-Be-Told-Journey-Through/dp/1982104961
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Recording Date: September 18, 2024.

Sep 27, 2024 • 1h 35min
Defence Deconstructed: Revolution in Military Affairs & Implementing Infrastructure Investments
On this Defence Deconstructed 2-parter, David Perry talks to Fellow Alex Rudolph about digital transformation and how it requires to fundamentally transform the Canadian military. This segment is part of our Triple Helix set of activities, and is based on a paper Alex wrote earlier in 2024: https://www.cgai.ca/digital_transformation_and_pan_domain_the_cafs_quiet_revolution_in_military_affairs
Then (38:35, you’ll hear a panel discussion on the implementation of defence real property projects between
• Genevieve Lehoux, Senior Director NORAD Modernization Infrastructure Project Delivery at the Department of National Defence
• Tracy Fleck, Director General Indigenous Affairs at the Department of National Defence
• Colonel Daniel Constable, Director Fighter Capability Requirements for the Royal Canadian Air Force
• Greg Witol, Policy Adviser to the Commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command
• Moderated by retired Brigadier General Dan MacIsaac, partner at CFN Consultant
That conversation was a panel from our conference on building the necessary infrastructure for NORAD modernization, which took place on June 13, 2024. This event was made possible thanks to the Department of National Defence’s MINDS Program, CGAI’s strategic sponsors Lockheed Martin Canada, General Dynamics, Hanwha Defence and Ocean, Cenovus, conference silver sponsor Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, and bronze sponsors PCL Construction and Rio Tinto. Learn more about this conference here: https://www.cgai.ca/building_norads_northern_infrastructure
Defence Deconstructed is brought to you by Irving Shipbuilding
Host biography
Dr. David Perry is the President and CEO of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute – https://www.cgai.ca/David_Perry
Recording Date: 27 September and 13 June 2024
Follow the Canadian Global Affairs Institute on Facebook, Twitter (@CAGlobalAffairs), or on LinkedIn.
Head over to our website at www.cgai.ca for more commentary.
Produced by Charlotte Duval-Lantoine. Music credits to Drew Phillips

Sep 26, 2024 • 37min
Energy Security Cubed: The Cyber Security Problems of Military Electrification with Kristen Csenkey
On this episode of the Energy Security Cubed Podcast, Kelly Ogle and Joe Calnan interview Kristen Csenkey about how electrification could open cyber vulnerabilities for Western militaries, and what can be done to resolve these issues.
You can find Kristen's article for War on the Rocks here: https://warontherocks.com/2024/06/power-and-tension-the-cyber-security-problems-of-military-electrification/
Previous CGAI publications featuring Kristen:
- Webinar Recording "EV Cybersecurity and Grid Vulnerability": https://www.cgai.ca/ev_cybersecurity_and_grid_vulnerability
- Policy Perspective Paper "Diverse and Vulnerable: Disconnects in Cyber-security Governance of IoT": https://www.cgai.ca/diverse_and_vulnerable_disconnects_in_cyber_security_governance_of_iot
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For the intro session, Kelly and Joe discuss the electricity requirements for AI datacenters, and what sort of energy we can expect to fill the gaps.
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Guest Bio:
- Dr. Kristen Csenkey is a CIGI Digital Policy Hub Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and a CGAI Fellow
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Host Bio:
- Kelly Ogle is Managing Director of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
- Joe Calnan is a Fellow and Energy Security Forum Manager at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
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Reading recommendations:
- "The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” by Petra Molnar: https://thenewpress.com/books/walls-have-eyes
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Interview recording Date: September 19, 2024
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Energy Security Cubed is part of the CGAI Podcast Network. Follow the Canadian Global Affairs Institute on Facebook, Twitter (@CAGlobalAffairs), or on LinkedIn. Head over to our website at www.cgai.ca for more commentary.
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Produced by Joe Calnan. Music credits to Drew Phillips.

Sep 23, 2024 • 57min
The Global Exchange: The Crucial Importance of Canada-US Relations for Western Canada
For this episode of the Global Exchange podcast, Colin Robertson talks with Martha Hall Findlay and Carlo Dade about western Canadian interests in the Canada-US relationship. This podcast is associated with the work of the Expert Group on Canada-U.S. Relations, an initiative supported by The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, and the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
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Participants' bios
- Martha Hall Findlay is Director of the University of Calgary School of Public Policy
- Carlo Dade is Director for Trade and Trade Infrastructure at the Canada West Foundation
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Host bio:
Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, www.cgai.ca/colin_robertson //
Read & Watch:
- "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman", by Richard Feynmann: https://www.amazon.ca/Surely-Youre-Joking-Mr-Feynman/dp/0393316041
- "Lincoln", by David Herbert Donald: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Lincoln/David-Herbert-Donald/9780684825359
- "The Political Thought of Xi Jinping", by Steve Tsang and Olivia Cheung: https://www.amazon.com/Political-Thought-Xi-Jinping/dp/0197689361
- "On The Edge", by Nate Silver: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/529280/on-the-edge-by-nate-silver/
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Recording Date: September 17, 2024.

Sep 20, 2024 • 49min
Defence Deconstructed: Getting to 2 Per Cent
On this episode of Defence Deconstructed, David Perry talks to former principal of the Royal Military College of Canada John Scott Cowan, retired Major-General David Fraser, and retired Vice-Admiral Paul Maddison about reaching two per cent of GDP in defence. This conversation is a follow-up from our guest's publication "What Spending 2 Per Cent of GDP on National Defence Could Mean for Canada" https://www.cgai.ca/what_spending_two_per_cent_of_gdp_on_national_defence_means_for_canada
Guest bios:
VAdm (ret'd) Paul Maddison is the Director of Compass Leaf Consulting.
Major-General (ret'd) David Fraser is the President of Aegis Six Corporation.
John Scott Cowan was principal of the Royal Military College of Canada, president of the CDA Institute 2008-2012, and chair of the Defence Science Advisory Board of Canada.
Host biography
Dr. David Perry is the President and CEO of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute – https://www.cgai.ca/David_Perry
Recording Date: 19 September 2024
Follow the Canadian Global Affairs Institute on Facebook, Twitter (@CAGlobalAffairs), or on LinkedIn.
Head over to our website at www.cgai.ca for more commentary.
Produced by Charlotte Duval-Lantoine. Music credits to Drew Phillips

Sep 19, 2024 • 46min
Energy Security Cubed: Europe, Asia, and the Energy Trilemma with Richard Norris
On this episode of the Energy Security Cubed Podcast, Kelly Ogle and Joe Calnan interview Richard Norris about the energy trilemma between affordability, security, and sustainability, and the vision of this trilemma from Japan, Asia, and Europe.
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For the intro session, Kelly and Joe discuss Turkey's role as a natural gas hub, declining inflation in Canada, and the question of EV demand in Europe.
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Guest Bio:
- Richard Norris is a CGAI Fellow, Partner at Pandreco Energy Advisors, and a Non Executive Director at Maha Energy Inc. You can find his Substack here: https://pandreco.substack.com/
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Host Bio:
- Kelly Ogle is Managing Director of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
- Joe Calnan is a Fellow and Energy Security Forum Manager at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
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Reading recommendations:
- "In the Combat Zone of Finance: An Insider’s Account of the Financial Crisis", by Svein Harald Øygard: https://www.amazon.ca/Combat-Zone-Finance-insiders-financial/dp/1912555654
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Interview recording Date: September 18, 2024
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Energy Security Cubed is part of the CGAI Podcast Network. Follow the Canadian Global Affairs Institute on Facebook, Twitter (@CAGlobalAffairs), or on LinkedIn. Head over to our website at www.cgai.ca for more commentary.
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Produced by Joe Calnan. Music credits to Drew Phillips.

Sep 17, 2024 • 26min
The Global Exchange: The Dictators who Want to Run the World, with Anne Applebaum
For this episode of the Global Exchange podcast, Colin Robertson talks with Anne Applebaum about the global authoritarian regimes which are coordinating in their attacks on the democratic world, and what can be done to combat them.
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Participants' bios
- Anne Applebaum is an historian and accomplished journalist, and the author of several books on the rise of authoritarian regimes. You can find her latest book, Autocracy Inc here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/725302/autocracy-inc-by-anne-applebaum/
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Host bio:
Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, www.cgai.ca/colin_robertson //
Read & Watch:
- "The Education of Henry Adams", by Henry Adams: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/695/the-education-of-henry-adams-by-henry-adams/
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Recording Date: September 10, 2024.

Sep 13, 2024 • 1h 17min
Defence Deconstructed: Military Culture & Defence Infrastructure Investments
On this episode of Defence Deconstructed, David Perry talks to Charlotte Duval-Lantoine about some of the work she published with us on military culture and personnel.
Then, David Perry speaks about Department of National Defence’s Infrastructure Investments with Kevin Horgan, MGen Gros-Jean, and David Thompson. This conversation was a panel from our conference on building the necessary infrastructure for NORAD modernization, which took place on June 13, 2024. This event was made possible thanks to the Department of National Defence’s MINDS Program, CGAI’s strategic sponsors Lockheed Martin Canada, General Dynamics, Hanwha Defence and Ocean, Cenovus, conference silver sponsor Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, and bronze sponsors PCL Construction and Rio Tinto.
Guest bios
Charlotte Duval-Lantoine is the Ottawa Operations Manager and a Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
Kevin Horgan is the Vice President, Service Delivery, for Defence Construction Canada
Major General Martin Gros-Jean is Chief of Staff to the Department of National Defence’s Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment)
David Thompson is the Director General of Portfolio Requirements for the Department of National Defence
Recording Date: 13 Sep and 13 June 2024
Follow the Canadian Global Affairs Institute on Facebook, Twitter (@CAGlobalAffairs), or on LinkedIn.
Head over to our website at www.cgai.ca for more commentary.
Produced by Charlotte Duval-Lantoine. Music credits to Drew Phillips