Date
November 17-19, 2017 Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia Participants
300 
LOCATION: Elements Dining Room at the Westin Nova Scotian
Day two began with the establishment of the John McCain Prize for Courage in Public Service. The annual prize will honour outstanding courage and leadership in public service. The John McCain Prize for Courage in Public Service will first be awarded at the Halifax International Security Forum’s 10th anniversary in November 2018.
General Hulusi Akar, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces
Halifax International Security Forum welcomed the Turkish Defence delegation for the first time this year. General Hulusi Akar, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces delivered the first Halifax Discourse of 2017 on a wide range of issues related to Turkey’s military objectives. He emphasized the fact that conflict has become more nuanced, with covert operations, proxy wars and cyberwarfare. While reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to NATO, the General didn’t mince words in cautioning allies from using terrorist organizations as proxies to fight other terrorist organizations. General Akar emphasized that religion and terrorism should not be conflated. Despite fewer lasting peace agreements or settlements in the Middle East, he noted that Turkey’s priorities remain the safety and stability of the state and region.
In 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Japan. The result of this demonstration of power and destruction has been no nuclear weapons used in war for over 70 years. But with the end of the Cold War, have we forgotten about the terrible power of nuclear weapons? Are some states indifferent to the responsibility that comes with being a nuclear power? Panelists tackled these questions with a focus on Iran, North Korea, and America’s role in deterring potentially rogue states and actors. One panelist noted that in order to have peace, you must be ready for war. While emphasizing diplomatic levers in resolving disputes, the panel argued that deterrence — particularly nuclear deterrence — is key. And this means that if the world still needs nukes, there are major upgrades needed in the equipment and infrastructure needed in the United States to maintain credible nuclear deterrence. As rhetoric in North Korea, Iran, and America escalates, panelists emphasized the importance of dialogue to deescalate before deterrence becomes irreversible action.
China hopes to revive the ancient Silk Road with a modern and comprehensive initiative: One Belt and One Road. By land and sea, China aims to take a larger role in world affairs and global trade. But is trade following the flag? Is China seeking more than just economic partnerships? Panelists discussed and interpreted China’s plans through military and economic lenses, including the idea that trade is becoming increasingly politicized – even weaponized. In the context of the South China Sea and China’s persistent military activity in this space, panelists looked at the potential security component of the One Belt and One Road initiative. General Fenton and Secretary Spencer reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to free navigation of the seas in the face of China’s planned maritime silk road. But with 60 states signed on, and with an increasingly free trade wary United States, it is evident the initiative has buy-in in the region and beyond.
In 2000, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. It called for women to be participants in peace building and have freedom from discrimination. Seventeen years later, have those goals been reached? Today, only a fraction of women serve as peacekeepers, police, operation leaders, and negotiators. What can be done? Panelists discussed the growing understanding that women have a central and unique role in conflict resolution and peace. Today’s complex and multifaceted conflicts are no longer state to state exercises, but include communities and organizations at the grassroots level and importantly, both genders. There was consensus that if women do not play key roles in conflict resolution and in peacekeeping forces, there is a lessened chance of success. To ensure maximum participation, women must be seen as more than just mothers or wives of terrorists or just as victims. History has shown us that time and time again, women have played key roles in deescalating conflict and ensuring reconciliation. But there’s more work to be done.
LOCATION: Atlantic Ballroom
The 2017 Forum welcomed the Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for the second Halifax Chat of the 2017 Forum. H.E. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah provided an overview on the state of Afghanistan and what the future holds. Nation building has continued since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001. The American intervention after 9/11, while not without challenges, has led to improvements in the economy, security, and human rights. In particular, Dr. Abdullah highlighted the fact that millions of women living in areas under government control are active in the private sector, attend school, are members of parliament, and enjoy better protection of human rights. Despite challenges, including the continued presence of the Taliban and the arrival of Daesh, Dr. Abdullah looks forward to parliamentary elections in 2018, presidential elections in 2019, and is proud of Afghanistan’s talented and vibrant young population.
Was 1989 the last good year? The Berlin Wall crumbled, dictators fell, and communism ended across Europe. Fukuyama predicted the ‘end of history’ as liberal democracies would become the world’s de facto system of government and many agreed. Today, democracy is showing cracks and tyrants consolidate power. How did we get it so wrong? Panelists discussed Russia’s active role in the post-Cold War world in an aim to set the record straight. All agreed that Putin has been waging a cyber war with the West, undermining its institutions, while waging a real war in Georgia and Ukraine. Putin’s shadow looms large over NATO members, particularly Poland and the Baltic States, who continue to beef up defences against the Russian threat. With Russia’s intervention in its neighbourhood and beyond and a presidential election in 2018, uncertainty remains as to whether or not 1989 was truly the last good year.
When it comes to military deterrence, space remains the final frontier. While decades have passed since President Reagan’s ’Star Wars’ initiative, interest in the weaponization of space has continued. Since the launch of Sputnik, hundreds of satellites have been launched for a variety of purposes by both state and non-state actors. This panel’s discussion focused on the uses of these satellites and whether some may be weapons in disguise. From the military perspective, General Hyten sees space as another medium of military activity, comparable to ships at sea or planes in the air. In the 60 years since the launch of Sputnik, thousands of pieces of space junk poses a threat to functional satellites and space stations. All agree that states must go where no one has gone before to form rules, laws, and norms around the use of space.
Fake news. Propaganda. Foreign Influence. These are challenging times in the digital world. The U.S. presidential election has shown that the Internet is a heavily contested space where facts and alternative facts abound. What responsibility does a behemoth like Google have in the digital space? The Halifax chat with Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt focused on the future of the Internet and what’s at stake in the present. The assumption that good ideas and truth would prevail has been shaken. State and non-state actors continue to mask misleading content while circumventing Google’s checks and balances. But in a world where truth and facts are a matter of opinion, where is the line for what stays and what gets removed online?
LOCATION: VIA Rail Station
LOCATION: Westin Lobby
