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
Russian spies turn European properties into “Trojan horses”, The Telegraph says
13 July, 2026
"Exploiting weak legal frameworks, clandestine Russian units are suspected of purchasing sensitive real estate close to military and civilian sites in at least a dozen European nations."...
USA
What the Iran War Taught China About Fighting the United States
13 July, 2026
Iran could not defeat the United States militarily, but it never needed to—and China is taking note. By choking the Strait of Hormuz, spiking energy markets, and running down the clock, Tehran offered Beijing a case study in how to impose costs without seeking victory....
China
Chinese supercomputer powered by homegrown chips tops US models in global ranking
13 July, 2026
China has clinched the top spot on a list of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, overtaking the United States for the first time since 2017 with a model powered by homegrown chips amid an intense race for tech supremacy between the two superpowers....
Emerging Technologies
Rising Demand for Directed Energy C-UAS as Drone Threat Spreads Beyond Battlefield
13 July, 2026
A recent decision by the Pentagon to deploy high-energy laser and high-powered microwave counter-drone weapon systems to five U.S. military bases by the end of the year is a major boost for the growing segment of directed energy (DE) in defense. For a variety of reasons, the appeal of these types of systems is reaching a new peak....
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
13 July, 2026
A senior figure in the Ukrainian defence industry told New Scientist that a test took place two years ago involving fully autonomous drones set to destroy anything in a given area, with confirmed casualties....
Humanoid Robots To Be Developed for Ukrainian Armed Forces as Part of New Grant Competition
13 July, 2026
Ukraine will hold a grant competition to develop humanoid robots for the needs of the Armed Forces....
Canada
Don’t get rid of old military equipment — pass it to new mobilization force, top general told
13 July, 2026
The military should review equipment it plans to get rid of and instead consider providing that gear to the new mobilization force, Canada’s top soldier has been told....
Canadian leaders call on Ottawa to support national youth service program with military training
13 July, 2026
A group of prominent Canadians is urging the federal government to support plans for a voluntary National Youth Service program that would include basic military training....
The Canadian Who Steered Europe Away From the U.S.
13 July, 2026
Facing threats from Trump, Mark Carney emerged as a central figure in a project to reshape the Western alliance....
5 Eyes Partners
F-35 Fleet Readiness Falls to 25% Amid Parts Shortages and Software Delays: GAO Report
13 July, 2026
The readiness of the U.S. military's F-35 Lightning II fleet continued to decline during fiscal year 2025, with only one-quarter of the global fleet capable of performing all assigned missions, according to a new report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)....
Trump invokes law to increase weapons production after Iran war depleted US stocks
13 July, 2026
President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to force defense companies to manufacture more weapons after the war with Iran depleted stockpiles....
Hundreds of British soldiers to start drone and electronic warfare training at vast Canadian site
13 July, 2026
Hundreds of British soldiers will start drone and electronic warfare training at a vast facility in Canada - several years after the UK scrapped major tank and artillery exercises at the site....
Podcast
What does it take to defend Canada’s Arctic?
13 July, 2026
...Anne Shibata Casselman is a science journalist based in B.C. She makes the argument that the path to asserting that sovereignty must put the people who live on the land and have claim to it at the centre. She just wrote a deeply reported piece in Maclean’s about this, called “The Arctic Needs Defending. Canada Isn’t Ready.”...
Associate Event
TransformativeTechnologies: Reshaping Defence and Security
13 July, 2026
In an era where emerging technologies are disrupting societies and transforming the character of war, the security and defence sectors must adapt. Advances in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber capabilities, digital infrastructure, and algorithms are altering how states defend themselves and conduct operations. At the same times, these innovations represent major economic opportunities for rapid development of high-value industries. ...
Video
How the arrival of quantum technologies will challenge defence policymakers
13 July, 2026
Quantum technologies will make a significant impact on the defence and security sector in the near future, particularly in terms of sensing, communications and computing, explains Dongyoun Cho, Senior Fellow for Advanced Technologies, National Security and Defence....