

The CGAI Podcast Network
The Canadian Global Affairs Institute
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.
The Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI) is a charitable, independent, non-partisan, research institute based in Ottawa, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 10, 2025 • 57min
The Global Exchange: The Threat to Canada's Sovereignty
In this episode of The Global Exchange podcast, Colin Robertson sits down with Martha Hall Findlay, Philippe Lagassé, Bill Robson and Ian Brodie, to discuss the long-term effects and implications of the Trump-imposed tariffs on Canada.
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Participants' bios
- Martha Hall Findlay is the Director of the School of Public Policy and Palmer Chair in Public Policy, University of Calgary, CEO of the Canada West Foundation, Chief Sustainability Officer for Suncor and a Member of Parliament.
- Philippe Lagasse is an Associate Professor and Barton Chair, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. He was recently awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for distinguished service for his exemplary contribution to Canadian defence policy.
- Bill Robson is President and CEO of the C.D Howe Institute.
- Ian Brodie is a Program Director at CGAI and a Professor at the University of Calgary, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Harper and the InterAmerican Development Bank.
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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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Reading Recommendations:
- "Time to Prepare" by Philippe Lagassé, https://www.readtheline.ca/p/philippe-lagasse-time-to-prepare
- The Thursday Question by Ian Brodie, https://thethursdayquestion.substack.com/about
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Recording Date: March 5, 2025
Release date:
March 10, 2025

Mar 7, 2025 • 28min
Defence Deconstructed: Priming Defence for AI Adoption
On this Triple Helix edition of Defence Deconstructed, David Perry speaks to MGen Zimmer about the work of the Digital Service Group in preparing the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces for a successful adoption of AI.
Triple Helix is a MINDS Collaborative Network.
Defence Deconstructed is brought to you by Irving Shipbuilding.
Guest bio:
Major-General Chris Zimmer is Chief Digital Transformation/Defence Chief Data Officer for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces – https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/maple-leaf/defence/2024/05/dm-cds-announcement-digital-services-group-dgs.html
Host bio:
Dr. David Perry is President and CEO of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute – https://www.cgai.ca/david_perry
Recorded on October 29, 2024
Music by Drew Phillips
Produced by Charlotte Duval-Lantoine

Mar 3, 2025 • 50min
Energy Security Cubed: Unpacking LNG Markets, with Ira Joseph
On this episode of the Energy Security Cubed Podcast, Joe Calnan and Kelly Ogle interview Ira Joseph about the current market dynamics for LNG and what it could mean for Canadian projects.
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For the intro, Kelly and Joe unpack the Trump tariffs and how Canada could consider a long-term energy response.
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Guest Bio:
- Ira Joseph is a Global Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University
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Host Bio:
- Kelly Ogle is Managing Director of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
- Joe Calnan is an Energy Security Analyst and Energy Security Forum Manager at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
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Reading recommendations:
- "John Lewis: A Life", by David Greenberg: https://www.amazon.ca/John-Lewis-Life-David-Greenberg/dp/1982142995
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Interview recording Date: February 25, 2025
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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.

Mar 3, 2025 • 58min
The Global Exchange: Ukraine, Trapped between Trump and Putin
For this episode of the Global Exchange podcast, Colin Robertson talks with Jeremy Kinsman and John Negroponte about the disastrous meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and Vance, and implications for the war in Ukraine.
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Participants' bios
- Jeremy Kinsman is a former Canadian diplomat who served as our Political Director and as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and as our Ambassador to Russia, the European Union and Italy amongst other assignments
- John Negroponte is Vice Chairman at McLarty Associates. He served for more than five decades as a U.S. diplomat, including as ambassador to Honduras, Mexico, the Philippines, the United Nations, and Iraq.
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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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Reading Recommendations:
- "The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq" by Steve Coll: https://www.amazon.ca/Achilles-Trap-C-I-Americas-Invasion/dp/0525562265
- "Demon Copperhead: A Novel", by Barbara Kingsolver: https://www.amazon.ca/Demon-Copperhead-Novel-Barbara-Kingsolver/dp/0063251922
- "The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World", by Hal Brands: https://www.amazon.ca/Eurasian-Century-Making-Modern-World/dp/132403694X
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Recording Date: February 28, 2025

Feb 28, 2025 • 43min
Defence Deconstructed: What Fate for Ukraine?
On this episode of Defence Deconstructed, David Perry speaks to LGen (ret'd) D. Michael Day and Andrew Rasiulis about the war in Ukraine on the third year anniversary of the Russian full scale invasion, and the recent developments regarding the US's support of Ukraine.
Defence Deconstructed is brought to you by Irving Shipbuilding.
LGen (ret'd) D. Michael Day is a Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute – https://www.cgai.ca/d_michael_day
Andrew Rasiulis is a Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute – https://www.cgai.ca/andrew_rasiulis
David Perry is President and CEO of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute – https://www.cgai.ca/david_perry
Music credits: Drew Phillips
Produced by Charlotte Duval-Lantoine

Feb 25, 2025 • 49min
Energy Security Cubed: The Trump Energy Shock with Ben Cahill
On this episode of the Energy Security Cubed Podcast, Joe Calnan and Kelly Ogle interview Ben Cahill about the disruptive force of Trump on energy in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
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For the intro, Kelly and Joe look into the ability of U.S. refineries to shift away from Canadian oil and the Trump deal on Ukrainian minerals.
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Guest Bio:
- Ben Cahill is the director for Energy Markets and Policy at the Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis at the University of Texas Austin
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Host Bio:
- Kelly Ogle is Managing Director of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
- Joe Calnan is an Energy Security Analyst and Energy Security Forum Manager at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
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Reading recommendations:
- The works of Jane Austen: https://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-books.php
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Interview recording Date: February 25, 2025
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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.

Feb 24, 2025 • 60min
The Global Exchange: The Consequences of Europe's Retreat from Strategy
For this episode of the Global Exchange podcast, Colin Robertson talks with Julian Lindley-French and Lord David Richards about their recent book, "The Retreat from Strategy: Britain's Dangerous Confusion of Interests with Values" and considerations for the Atlantic Charter.
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Participants' bios
- Julian Lindley-French is a CGAI Fellow and Chair of the Alphen Group and director of the Wilton Park the Future of War conferences.
- David Richards is a member of the House of Lords and served as a professional soldier becoming General and Chief of the United Kingdom’s Defence Staff.
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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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Reading Recommendations:
- "Churchill: Walking with Destiny", by Andrew Roberts: https://www.amazon.ca/Churchill-Andrew-Roberts-author/dp/1101980990
- "Roman Conquests: Britain", by Simon Elliott: https://www.amazon.ca/Roman-Conquests-Britain-Simon-Elliott/dp/1526765683
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Recording Date: February 14, 2025.

Feb 21, 2025 • 22min
Defence Deconstructed: A New Era for Recruitment?
On this episode of Defence Deconstructed, David Perry speaks to Charlotte Duval-Lantoine about CAF recruitment and its modernization.
Defence Deconstructed was brought to you by Irving Shipbuilding.
Guest bio: Charlotte Duval-Lantoine is VP Ottawa Operations and a Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
Host bio: David Perry is President and CEO of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute
Music Credit: Drew Phillips
Producer: Charlotte Duval-Lantoine

Feb 18, 2025 • 1h 8min
Energy Security Cubed: West Meets East Part 5 - Nuclear Energy and the Trump Administration
On this episode of the Energy Security Cubed Podcast, Kelly Ogle and Jacquie Hoornweg continue the West Meets East series with a conversation on Canada's opportunities for global nuclear expansion and the Trump Administration's approach to nuclear.
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For the intro section, Kelly and Joe Calnan discuss events in global energy security, including the prospect of direct EU support for LNG and US support for critical minerals in Africa.
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Guest:
- Jacquie Hoornweg is a CGAI Fellow and President of Joule Communications
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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:
- "Winter: The Tragic Story of a Berlin Family, 1899–1945", by Len Deighton: https://www.amazon.ca/Winter-Tragic-Berlin-Family-1899-1945/dp/0008124884
- "Precipice", by Robert Harris: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/669646/precipice-by-robert-harris/9780735282148
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Interview recording Date: February 17, 2025
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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.

Feb 16, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Global Exchange: How Mexico is Dealing with Trump
For this episode of the Global Exchange podcast, Colin Robertson talks with Solange Marquez and Andres Rozental about the Mexican reaction to the return of President Donald Trump and the continuing threat of tariffs.
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Participants' bios
- CGAI Fellow Solange Marquez is a professor at the Law School of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). A former VP of the Mexican Council on International Affairs (Comexi) she is its representative in Canada.
- Andres Rozental served as Mexico’s ambassador to Sweden and the United Kingdom and as deputy foreign minister. He is the Founding President of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations. He holds the lifetime rank of eminent ambassador of Mexico.
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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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Reading Recommendations:
- "Juan Carlos: Steering Spain from Dictatorship to Democracy", by Paul Preston: https://www.amazon.ca/Juan-Carlos-Steering-Dictatorship-Democracy-ebook/dp/B009UL1WO8
- "Ir a La Habana", by Leonardo Padura: https://www.amazon.ca/Habana-Cr%C3%B3nica-viajes-Havana-Chronicle/dp/6073918933
- "Prime Target": https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31186958/
- "White Working Class: Overcoming Class Cluelessness in America", by Joan C. Williams: https://www.amazon.ca/White-Working-Class-Overcoming-Cluelessness/dp/1633693783
- "Atlas of AI", by Kate Crawford: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300264630/atlas-of-ai/
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Recording Date: February 9, 2025.