Member-only story
Why Canada is NATO’s Weakness
The Arctic, a region once defined by its pristine landscapes and indigenous cultures, is rapidly becoming a focal point of geopolitical competition. As Russia and China aggressively assert their presence in this resource-rich and strategically significant area, Canada, a nation whose identity is linked to its vast northern territories, finds itself facing a critical vulnerability: a chronic and concerning underinvestment in its defense capabilities. This shortfall not only jeopardizes Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic but also undermines the collective security of the NATO alliance, leaving it ill-equipped to address the emerging challenges of a multipolar world.
At the heart of this issue lies Canada’s failure to meet the agreed-upon defense spending target set by NATO. While member states are expected to dedicate 2% of their GDP to defense, Canada currently allocates a mere 1.37%, a discrepancy that represents a significant gap in the country’s ability to protect its interests and contribute effectively to the alliance’s collective defense. This underinvestment is particularly alarming given the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Arctic. With its vast reserves of untapped resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, and the potential for new shipping routes opened up by melting ice, the Arctic is attracting increasing attention from both Moscow and Beijing. Russia, with its extensive…
