The Torch
Illuminating Security and Defence Issues
Welcome to The Torch, RKUSI’s curated roundup of timely and thought-provoking content from across the defence, security, and military affairs landscape.
Each edition brings together insightful articles, expert commentary, and notable developments—from Canada and around the world—that matter to our community of informed citizens, veterans, and professionals.
Explore the latest links and stay sharp on the issues shaping today’s strategic environment.
Great Power Competition
Russia
Baltic, Nordic officials urge Canadians to learn from the Russian threats they face
11 May, 2026
European officials are warning that Russia's meddling in the Baltic Sea is likely a preview of tactics Moscow could someday deploy in Canada's High North....
USA
Where Are U.S. Military Forces Deployed in Europe?
11 May, 2026
Transatlantic tensions and the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran have prompted the United States to decrease its troop presence in Europe, signaling a shift in security on the continent....
China
Expanding frontiers: how China normalises its presence
11 May, 2026
A major strategic shift in the Indo-Pacific is happening quietly: China’s presence in seas and ports far from its coast is becoming routine. The frequency of its appearances has been rising for about a decade. Now it’s approaching a point where China’s military presence has become normal and expected, not aggressive....
Emerging Technologies
Light speed weapons? Directed energy and the future of the ADF
11 May, 2026
Directed energy weapons (DEW), including high energy laser and high-power microwave weapons, are increasingly important in counter-drone tasks across air, sea and land....
Inside Ukraine’s robot war revolution
11 May, 2026
A Ukrainian commander tells POLITICO how robotic systems are transforming the battlefield, in a development with the potential to reshape how wars are fought....
Pentagon stages first ‘Top Drone’ school for operators to hone skills
11 May, 2026
The Pentagon last month held its first “Top Drone” school for drone pilots to demonstrate their skills in a threat-representative environment....
Canada
Should Canada Join the JEF?
11 May, 2026
On 26th March, Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, participated in a virtual meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), the ten-country rapid response coalition dedicated to security in the High North. Following this, Gen. Jennie Carnigan, Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff, met with counterparts from JEF nations in London in early April. These actions suggest an increasing likelihood that Canada will join the JEF ...
Defence chief set to pitch ‘options’ for massive troop surge as military strains under its own limits
11 May, 2026
Gen. Jennie Carignan will present strategies to drastically expand CAF, but current targets remain elusive....
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrpd1pvgkzo
11 May, 2026
For decades, Canada was seen as a global laggard in defence funding, and just two years ago, recruitment was so dire that a former defence minister warned the armed forces were in a "death spiral". Now, the Canadian army is growing at a pace not seen in decades, reaching its highest number of recruits in 30 years and potentially reversing the chronic personnel shortage that has plagued the country's military....
5 Eyes Partners
A Decade-Long Struggle to Thwart Iran’s Drones Carries Warnings for the UK
11 May, 2026
Iran’s lethal drone capability has again been on display in this latest conflict, killing six American soldiers and one French soldier, and damaging sites with British personnel, including an RAF base. Millions of dollars’ worth of US equipment losses, including& radars and satellite communications, underline the threat of the roughly $50-70,000-drones. RAF personnel have already shot down a significant number of them, but the next challenge is ensuring the whole force is adequately protected. Recent history shows this is easier said than done....
Lessons from the French Army’s Transformation Towards a Modern ‘Fighting Army’
11 May, 2026
The transformation of France’s land forces to a Fighting Army, a response to the 2014 invasion of Ukraine by Russia, has lessons for the British Army....
Mobilisation and Training for War: Preparing to Break Glass
11 May, 2026
The UK must overhaul mobilisation and training to meet rising security threats, ensuring rapid force expansion, effective integration and Alliance resilience....
Podcast
Cold Hard Truths: Arctic Security in a Changing World
11 May, 2026
This week on War & Peace, Olga speaks with Gabriella Gricius, Senior Fellow at the Arctic Institute, to discuss Arctic security, Donald Trump’s ambitions to acquire Greenland, Russia’s and China’s interests in the High North, and how NATO and European capitals are responding....
Associate Event
Diversifying Canada’s Security and Defence Partnerships: Challenges and Opportunities
2 June 2026 -
Much has been said in the past year about the need for Canada to diversify its international partnerships given the challenges posed by the return to the American presidency of Donald Trump. This, however, is much easier said than done. This conference brings together former senior Canadian officials and experts to help us better understand what diversifying security and defence partnerships means in practice: What should the concrete objectives be? What are the main obstacles? Does Canada have the right tools to do this?
Video
Quantum Readiness in a Changling Global Security Environment
11 May, 2026
(57 minutes) On February 10, the Centre for International and Defence Policy hosted Situation Report Quantum (SITREP-Q), a conference reviewing Canada’s quantum strategy in a changing global security environment. The conference included briefs from leaders in the National Quantum Secretariat, Department of National Defence, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, and Quantum Industry Canada, alongside roundtable discussions with policy experts and industry leaders.