I recently listened to an interview with former President of the UN Security Council, Dr Kishore Mahbubani of Singapore. A comment struck a chord with me. He said 2025 could be described with two words: rupture and resilience. Quoting our PM, he agreed with Mark Carney that we were ling through a rupture in the world order, which had served us well for almost a … Continue reading Careful What You Wish

Nota Bene: I originally wrote this in July of last year but opted not to post it. I worried that I may have overstated the issue, that it may have been a bit hyperbolic. I now find that I probably was understating the situation. Back then, I was already seeing glimmerings of PM Mark Carney’s ability to lead our country but, of course, I had … Continue reading The Indispensable Nation

Have a listen. Continue reading Our Latest Podcast 1 Feb 2026

Last Dec I posted a video on a better way to use bitumen. I found an EVEN MORE interesting video and although not mentioned in the short video, I later discovered that bitumen, because its molecular structure is in sheets and not in chains like normal carbon, is ideally suited to be used as stock feed for the new product talked about in this video. … Continue reading Another MUST WATCH Video

I have been a bit puzzled for some time with the constant analysis of Russia/Ukraine based on dollars (or euros or rubles). I just listened to a highly respected retired four-star American general explain how Ukraine has “changed the nature of the war” (Wrong, general. They have changed the nature of the fighting.) because they have been able to use thousand-dollar drones to destroy millions … Continue reading War is Not a Bank Ledger

In 1987, my staff college syndicate from the Bundeswehr’s Führungsakademie flew to London to spend 10 days at the British Army’s Command and Staff College in Camberley. The British students were outstanding hosts, treating us warmly and even taking us to watch a West End theatre production. A couple of us re-acquainted ourselves with some of the officers whom we had met when they came … Continue reading Ceding Won Terrain

When public figures attempt to explain what they are doing, they often look to historical examples to prop up their arguments, especially when those arguments are weak. There is an obvious risk with this tactic. If you do not understand the lesson of the history you cite, then calling upon the ghosts of the past as a pretext for your actions just makes you look … Continue reading Using History to Support Stupidity

Canada is and has been for many decades, a middle power. Middle powers are destined to choose wisely when picking friends, allies, and adversaries. I have long maintained that Canada has no “natural” enemies. Those whom we count as “enemies” are there by association. Our close friends and allies determine the list for one simple reason: Canada strives to be a friend to everyone and a foe to none. But such … Continue reading Evolving as a Middle Power 

Those of a certain age will recall a book from the 1970 called Future Shock. In the book husband and wife American futurists Alvin and Heidi Toffler introduced to their readership the concept of life accelerating. The premise was that society was undergoing rapid change and that for many, it was “too much too fast.” The book was a massive bestseller, and I recall reading … Continue reading The Urgent vs The Important

Happy New Year to our podcast listeners, Marty here. I am the one who sits on the other side of the mic from Chuck for our Enlightened Military Podcasts. Over the holidays the podcast had some technical difficulties and to resolve then we have had to recreate the YouTube site from scratch. As all good military members know “Two is One and One is None” … Continue reading To the Enlightened Military Subscribers