By Dr. Ann Griffiths, 10 May 2026
It’s that time again! Soon there’ll be a new issue of CNR hitting the streets. To whet your appetite, here is a preview of what’s in the issue.
As usual, the issue contains a smorgasbord of material, with something for everyone. Our first article takes us to China and outlines how it has become a shipbuilding powerhouse. The second article discusses Canada’s participation in the Gulf War, as we reach the 35th anniversary of the conflict. The third article argues that RCN veterans should be seen as strategic assets and treated and trained as such. The final essay outlines some of the defence capabilities that are being ordered/built, particularly relating to the Arctic, even in the absence of a new defence policy to provide strategic direction.
And, of course, we have our usual Making Waves commentaries. In response to enthusiastic discussion on Broadsides (our online discussion forum), we have a commentary about whether geography is destiny for Canada – i.e., as a small (in terms of population) country next door to the United States, does Canada have options for defence? There’s a commentary asking if naval art is dead, a commentary about naval capabilities for the Arctic, and a commentary about how the RCN can make the navy more visible to Canadians.
And, of course, we have our regular columns. “A View from the West” looks at whether China is indeed capable of/intending to invade Taiwan in 2027. “Dollars and Sense” examines the Defence Industrial Strategy, and “Warship Developments” updates us on recent naval developments.
Naturally, we have our usual amazing photos!
Stay tuned. In a few weeks, the issue will be in the mailbox of people who are lucky enough to be subscribers! It’s not too late for you to subscribe. See below for the Table of Contents.
Table of Contents
Vol. 22, No. 1 (Spring 2026)
Editorial: The Canadian Coast Guard: Transition and Transformation in 2025-2026
Jody Thomas
China’s Emergence as the World’s Preeminent Shipbuilding Power
Adam P. MacDonald
Marking the 35th Anniversary of the Gulf War
Sharon Hobson and Duncan (Dusty) Miller
Why RCN Veterans are Strategic Assets
Joseph C. Blanchard
New Money for DND: What’s Next?
Jeff Gilmour
Making Waves
Geography as Destiny in Canada-US Military Relations
Dan Middlemiss
The Death of Naval Art?
Jay Heisler
The DDGH (Arctic): An All-Ocean Destroyer for the RCN
Les Mader
The Crisis of Invisibility
Lieutenant (Ret’d) Lee Matheson
A View from the West: A ‘Reunified’ China in 2027?
Brett Witthoeft
Dollars and Sense: Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy
Dave Perry
Warship Developments: Points of Interest in Spring 2026
Doug Thomas
Book Reviews
Image: A CH-148 Cyclone helicopter receives a sling load from the flight deck of HMCS Charlottetown while sailing on Operation Horizon 2026 on 2 April 2026. Credit: Master Sailor Alexandre Heagle, Canadian Armed Forces
