Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine will likely be high of thoughts at the Halifax International Security Forum this weekend, in accordance to the discussion board’s founder and president.
“The world changed on 9/11, and it changed again on Feb. 24, 2022 [the date of the Russian invasion],” mentioned Peter Van Praagh.
Ukraine’s military has weakened Russia, mentioned Van Praagh, and the world will likely be coping with a “much-reduced” Russia sooner or later.
“We are entering a new era,” he mentioned, noting that Canada and its allies have the chance to assist form it.
In its 14th yr, the Halifax International Security Forum will function visitors together with the president of Estonia and the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who at one time was a board member of Raytheon Technologies — one of many world’s largest weapons makers.
A lot of dignitaries — a who’s-who of the world’s high army brass and some enterprise leaders, together with the CEO of Boeing, one other of the world’s largest arms producers — may also speak.
“We are the only meeting in the world, where really, I like to say, the good guys come together,” mentioned Van Praagh.
The discussion board’s mission is to strengthen cooperation on this planet’s democracies, he mentioned. That’s why the governments of China, Iran and Russia have by no means been invited.
“[The good guys], they can really move in a productive way, without looking over their shoulder with others, who are frankly, adversaries,” mentioned Van Praagh.
The discussion board kicks off Friday with opening remarks from Anita Anand, Canada’s minister of defence.
After a number of panel discussions, the group will transfer to Pier 21 in downtown Halifax for a gala dinner, adopted by an “off the record” “Night Owls” panel dialogue on Afghanistan. It will function the pinnacle of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center.
Other talks Friday evening embrace discussions on Taiwan and the function cybersecurity has performed within the conflict in Ukraine.
Discussions Saturday will function a Polish army basic, Secretary Austin, and Andrew Shearer, director basic of Australia’s Office of National Intelligence, to identify a number of.
Saturday will once more finish with a variety of “off the record” conferences with titles like “Arctic Allies Align,” “Decoupling: Russia, Yes. China, Next,” “Syria: Can You See Me Now,” and “Expanding Space,” that includes General David Thompson, vice chief of area operations for the United States Space Force.
Sunday begins at 7 a.m. with a five-kilometre run, adopted by a variety of “off the record” discussions. Then, at 10 a.m., Petro Poroshenko, the previous president of Ukraine, will give a speech.
The discussion board wraps up round 2 p.m. Sunday after a variety of each “on” and “off the record” discussions.
More details about the Halifax International Security Forum may be discovered on-line.