It seems Canada finds itself in the inverse position. Concerned citizens and businesses are (impatiently) awaiting a comprehensive strategy to catalyze Canada's tech, talent, and defence industrial base in support of domestic and allied security.

"Contractors’ internal networks must achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), which was recently revised and strengthened, while government offices that want to buy commercial software must get an official Authority To Operate (ATO) before they can install it on DoD networks. These CMMC and ATO processes are especially burdensome for smaller firms, which might be more likely to come up with precisely the kind of innovations, especially in software, that adversaries are most eager to steal."

"China-backed hackers outnumber all of the FBI’s cyber personnel at least 50 to 1, according to the U.S. agency. One European agency estimates China’s intelligence-gathering and security operations might comprise up to 600,000 people. China’s hacking program is larger than that of every other major nation, combined.”

“Why do we need to always hide behind dual use?” asked Scherf, referring to a European Investment Bank’s policy of only investing in technology that has both civilian and military use. Either we believe in our democratic armed forces and we support them with the best technology ... or we have to have a different debate.”

"Proper international regulation remains highly desirable for weapon autonomy... [but] the diplomatic debate has largely remained an exchange of quite abstract views and sweeping declarations on international humanitarian law, ethics, and security in general. But progress in technology has made these discussions much less hypothetical than they used to be in the beginning."

Hear me out... "Why do 21st-century missiles rely on explosives from the 1940s and ’50s?" It would be nice if we didn't need bombs, but since it seems we do, let's have the best.

“For a long time Canada, we thought we were protected by our geography. But now we need to reckon that we are a country facing Russia and because of climate change, more countries are interested in the Arctic, including China."

"Innovation, dictated by frontline as well as commercial demands, moves at lightning speed, but the Western defense system has struggled to catch up and absorb novel technologies."

"Breaking up with China is expensive and often befuddling, defense startups say, yet it is necessary for business survival. China could stop the flow of components into the U.S. [and Canada] for whatever reason it chooses."

"Canada, is by its own admission unprepared to face the Arctic challenge. Unless the US works quickly to help fill that gap, it means American interests in the Arctic are going to be at risk moving forward."

"Policy-makers should build a more supportive and non-partisan environment in Canada for defence and security. If Canadians are reluctant to hit NATO spending targets or impose trade restrictions on China, it is in large part because our political leaders have not explained to them why it is necessary. Canada has let its military capacity atrophy. But the supply chain has also been hampered. Some of our financial institutions actively put up barriers to companies in the sector, for example by restricting investment or services to firms creating weapons, weapons delivery systems or components thereof. We are a G7 nation and NATO member that often sees defence contractors as bad actors deserving to be marginalised."

Welp. Reset the clock! "A former Canadian politician is suspected of trying to influence Parliament’s work on behalf of a foreign government." The country currently presenting the greatest geo-strategic threat to the rules-based order is the same one actively influencing our politics. Canadian citizens deserve better, but must also demand better!