Vanguard Magazine

www.vanguardcanada.com JUNE/JULY 2021 37 The international system is more unstable today than it has ever been in recent histo- ry. New technology to deliver nuclear and conventional weapons intensify the strate- gic imbalance between Western powers and rising peer competitors, in addition to the rise of rogue nations with nuclear ambi- tions. Significant strategic developments include the following: • North Korea's increasingly provoca- tive nuclear behaviour involving tests of longer-range ballistic missiles threaten- ing regional Pacific allies and the North American homeland. • Iran's pursuit of Uranium refinement for nuclear weapons and developments in ballistic missile technology to threaten regional actors, European states, and po- tentially North America with long-range capabilities demonstrated in ASAT tests. • China's rapid modernization of its nu- clear triad with hypersonic technology. Long-range standoff systems can threat- en Western deployments and allies in the Asia Pacific, as well as targets in North America. • Russia's nuclear modernization includes a variety of offset capabilities, such as a new hypersonic glide vehicle and next-gener- ation standoff cruise missiles launched by sea and air platforms. These capabilities employ stealth, speed, and maneuverabil- ity to evade current air and missile defence systems. Such systems can be launched over the Arctic exploiting gaps in domain awareness providing limited time for a re- sponse by the U.S. and Canada. With rapid changes in the international strategic environment, Canada's approach to nuclear arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament (NACD) is also chang- ing. Nevertheless, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) remains committed to global nucle- ar disarmament through the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Indeed, Parlia- mentary Secretary to the Minister of For- eign Affairs, Rob Oliphant stated the gov- ernment's position at the January 6, 2021, Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarma- ment: "Canada is committed to the Trea- ty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and its part in achieving a safer and more peaceful world. Now is the time to make a concerted effort, working with like-minded partners, to advance our "Canada is committed to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and its part in achieving a safer and more peaceful world. Now is the time to make a concerted effort, work - ing with like-minded partners, to advance our shared nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament objectives." — Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rob Oliphant DEFENCE November 16 & 17, 2021 bestdefenceconference.com SAVE THE DATE

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