Episode 4.0: Human Security in Conflict

Welcome back to class and to a new season of Battle Rhythm, with co-host Anessa L. Kimball, Ph.D., Professor at Université Laval; Steve Saideman and Anessa discuss The United States president renaming the Department of Defence to the Department of War after destroying a boat in the Caribbean; the Canadian Department of National Defence is ready to spend as it commits to extend the CAF’s mission in Latvia along with deploying fighter pilots in a NATO exercise. In today's feature interview, our Post-doctoral Fellow, Dr. Manaswini Ramkumar interviews Dr. Sarah Meharg and Major-General (Retired) Craig Aitchison, co-editors of the Canadian Military Journals Special Issues on Human Security: https://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/cmj-25.2-toc-en.html Dr. Sarah Jane Meharg is Adjunct Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and the Senior Research Associate at the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre in Ottawa Canada. She is Canada's leading post-conflict reconstruction expert and specializes in the research and implementation of advanced technologies for reconstruction initiatives. Dr Meharg focuses on economic acceleration in regions experiencing economic transitions, including post-conflict and post-disaster environments such as Afghanistan, Haiti and the Balkans. Dr Meharg has received numerous commendations for developing her unique theory of conflict- identicide (1997) -which defines the precursor stages of genocide. Major-General (Retired) Craig Aitchison is proud to have served Canada for over 38 years. A passionate and lifelong learner, he has earned a certificate in Culinary Arts from Saint Lawrence College, an undergraduate in Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick, and master’s degrees from Royal Military College and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He deployed overseas five times including Afghanistan and Iraq, and commanded the Infantry School, Combat Training Centre and the Canadian Defence Academy. He was also very fortunate to act as the Deputy Commanding General for Operations for U.S. Army Alaska, now 11th Airborne Division (Arctic Angels). In 2023 he was invested into the Order of Military Merit at the rank of Commander. He has also been twice (2019 and 2021) awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit at the rank of Officer. His extensive experience in the military training and education system has created a very strong foundation and focused energy toward leader development, strategy development and design thinking.