24 February, 2022
The flourishing of nuclear forces during a crisis was thought to be an artifact of the Cold War. Not so. Dr Sean Maloney will discuss the use of nuclear forces in the current Ukrainian crisis to signal deterrent intent. A technical and esoteric language is being used which Dr Maloney will interpret for our audience. The mere fact that nuclear forces are being flourished should alarm everyone yet it is being done outside of the public eye. Please join us to learn more about this fascinating development affecting global security.
Following a 45-minute presentation, the audience will be encouraged to challenge and discuss with relevant questions. These will be non-partisan discussions aimed at generating thought-provoking responses allowing all parties to become better informed on security and defence.
Event Video
Recorded on 24 February 2022, less than 24 hours after Russia's invasion of the Ukraine, Sean's up-to-the-minute information, and an engaged audience made for an excellent conversation.
RMCSD No Video
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"A great presentation Sean! Thrilling yet sobering!"
~ Gilbert
"Thank you to RAUSI. Sean, you provided an incredible brief as always."
~ Steve
"Thanks! Great to know nuclear signalling exists as it may work to deter use."
~ Ken
"Very interesting presentation. Particularly interesting discussion on language and dialects in a high context environment. Thanks again."
~ Karine
Teaser Videos
Watch Joe Howard's teaser Episode 1 (2:00) for the presentation.
Watch Joe Howard's teaser Episode 2 (2:06) for some thought provoking background as we track the developments of the current Ukrainian crisis.
About the Presenter
Dr Sean M Maloney is a Professor of History at the Royal Military College and served as the Historical Advisor to the Chief of the Land Staff during the war in Afghanistan. He previously served as the historian for 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade, the Canadian Army’s primary Cold War NATO commitment after the re-unification of Germany and at the start of Canada’s long involvement in the Balkans. Dr Maloney has extensive field experience in that region, particularly in Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia from 1995 to 2001, where he inadvertently observed the activities of the Al Qaeda organization and its surrogates. His work on the Balkans was interrupted by the 9-11 attacks.
From 2001 Dr Maloney has focused nearly exclusively on the war against the Al Qaeda movement and its allies, particularly on the Afghanistan component of that war. He traveled regularly to Afghanistan from 2003 to 2014 to observe and record coalition operations and concurrently served as an advisor to a number of organizations operating in that country. He was the first Canadian civilian military historian to go into combat since the Second World War. With Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan winding down, Dr Maloney returned to teaching at Royal Military College. Building on his groundbreaking work dealing with Canada and nuclear weapons, he also returns to his first and primary area of interest, the long, difficult, and in many ways, still secret Cold War.