Thank you very much for the question.
Curiously, I am tempted to say that the environment is coming full circle. A lot of observers, with a wry smile, say that we are back to the cold war or that the situation somewhat resembles the situation that existed during the cold war.
That element, that is to say the deterioration of relations with Russia, is relatively new. Another new element is the international tension among governments, particularly the tension between Russia and western governments. I understand that this is what you are alluding to.
That changes raise a certain number of issues. In particular it brings us back to a topic you studied a few years ago, i.e. Canada's position within NATO. For a few years now Canada has blown hot and cold about NATO. NATO does not have the same polish or grandeur that it had in the past. For instance, Canada's opposition to the development of a NATO strategy in the Arctic indicated that it was feeling a certain malaise about that institution.
In fact, what the resurgence of tensions means is that Canada is going to have to clarify its position in the North Atlantic organization, which is being done today. The announcement that Canada has sent troops to Poland, I believe, or to Romania, is going to force a discussion on that topic.
For you and for Canada-U.S. relations, this may mean also that you will have to carefully consider the relation between, on the one hand, the defence of North America, the defence of the Arctic in particular, and on the other hand, the defence of Europe, or the situation in Europe.
This may also mean re-examining where Canada wants to invest. Does Canada want to re-invest in the defence of North America, or invest in its intervention capability abroad? That tension between both aspects of Canada's defence policy is always going to be there.