LOCATION: Westin Lobby
The Premier of Greenland, the Honorable Aleqa Hammond, made a special, on-the-record address at the Halifax International Security Forum.
The session examined whether terrorist threats remain present, in what form and how they are combatted. Panelists agreed that terrorism is an ever-present threat and discussed anti-terrorism strategies including surveillance. Panelists discussed how terrorism and the war on terrorism has mutated and globalized. The success of anti-terrorist activities was considered difficult to measure in comparison to the failure of those activities, but anti-terrorism is a now a critical part of the post 9-11 world. Panelists indicated that governments must prepare for new versions of terrorist threats, such as cyber-terrorism, to be effective in the evolving world of terrorism.
LOCATION: Atlantic Ballroom
With a deal having been reached just hours earlier on the freezing of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the limited relief of sanctions, panelists engaged in a particularly timely discussion about weapons of mass destruction. There was relative consensus on the panel that an interim deal has been reached, and the success or failure of the agreement will reflect equally on Iran as it does on the other signatories. Panelists and audience members felt the outcome of the process will demonstrate if Iran has truly abandoned its nuclear ambitions. Panelists also considered the intent of the current program in Iran and indicated that, if the singular intent is to remove particular weapons, it may be proceeding well. Panelists also weighed the relative injury on humankind of nuclear weapons versus other kinds of more conventional warfare.
Panelists debated the viability of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. They disagreed on the importance of trust in the relationship with Iran; some panelists argued that a deal with consequences for breaking the agreement does not require trust. The “right” to enrich nuclear material was discussed given that Iran believes it to be a natural and inalienable right. The concept of a Pax-Iranica was raised with trepidation. Panelists concluded that much remains to be seen with the six-month deal with Iran and the outcome will have a lasting impact on the future of the region and relations with the West.
The closing news conference marks the successful conclusion of engaging discussions amongst democratic thinkers at the 2013 Halifax International Security Forum. For the past three days, democratic leaders, business leaders, military strategists, security experts and members of the media joined together in an intimate setting to discuss international relations and pressing security challenges. Peter Van Praagh, President of the Halifax International Security Forum, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, made remarks.
