15 January, 2025
Richard Martin, a renowned strategic advisor and former Canadian Army officer, will explore how deeply ingrained worldviews shape strategic decisions, with a focus on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Drawing on his concepts of Strategic Epistemology and Worldview Warfare, he will unravel how historical, cultural, and ideological lenses influence perceptions of land, identity, and sovereignty. This analysis offers a profound understanding of how contrasting beliefs drive action and fuel cycles of conflict.
In addition to the theoretical exploration, Richard will dive into the specific ways these worldviews manifest in the conflict, particularly around the contentious issue of land ownership—whether seen through feudal or freehold concepts. His expertise, honed through his work with organizations like the Department of National Defence and international firms, provides a unique lens for understanding not only the conflict but also broader strategic decision-making processes.
Following a 30-minute presentation, the audience is 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.
Worldview Warfare
How Worldviews Shape Perceptions of History and Identity
Richard Martin
Wednesday, 15 January 2025
1800 hrs (MT) via Zoom
All are welcome. Registration required.
Watch Full Presentation Video
- Speaker Introductions: Karen Storwick introduces herself and RAUSI. Quentin Innis outlines the evening and introduces the guest speaker, Richard Martin.
- Overview of RAUSI: Think tank based in Calgary, hosting six to seven speakers annually.
- Worldview Warfare Defined: How perceptions of history, identity, and strategy differ across groups.
- Key Events as Catalysts:
- Definition: Studies how knowledge and beliefs frame strategy and decision-making.
- Key Terms:
- Applications:
- Israel-Palestine Conflict:
- Ukraine-Russia Conflict:
- Canada’s worldview-driven support for Ukraine as part of liberal international order (00:19:00).
- Call for Insights:
- Invites audience to contribute perspectives during Q&A.
- Frames the discussion as exploratory, not prescriptive.
Extending the Framework of Worldview Warfare
In this supplemental article, Extending the Framework of Worldview Warfare: Integrating Cooperative Actions and Persistent Strategies, Martin integrates the concepts of cooperative actions (short-term, tactical agreements) and persistent strategies (long-term endurance plans) into the Worldview Warfare framework. Drawing on real-world examples from the Israel-Palestine conflict and Russia-Ukraine war, Martin provides a nuanced analysis of how opposing worldviews shape both immediate decisions and generational conflicts.
This article offers a deeper dive into how strategic actors balance short-term cooperation with long-term objectives, equipping military professionals, policymakers, and academics with fresh perspectives on enduring global tensions.
Extending the Framework of Worldview Warfare
Watch Teaser Videos
Presentation Details
Richard Martin has developed models for analyzing strategic decisions and actions termed Strategic Epistemology and Worldview Warfare. These models delve into the cognitive frameworks and worldviews of strategic decision-makers to understand how these beliefs guide their actions and choices.
In this talk, Richard will apply Strategic Epistemology and Worldview Warfare to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, illustrating how deeply rooted worldviews shape each side's perception of reality, history, and identity. These worldviews are fundamental drivers of action, manifesting in ideologies, narratives, and justifications for strategic decisions. The perspectives of Israelis and Palestinians, particularly on land, identity, and legal rights, are illuminated through their distinct cultural and historical lenses.
A historical overview will explore differing views of land—feudal/customary versus freehold—and the implications for identity and ownership. For the Palestinians, land loss has been tied to a deep sense of shame and resentment, resulting from a belief in dispossession and incapability in eliminating the Jewish presence in Israel. For the Jewish/Israeli side, success at state-building and land reclamation has shaped their worldview of entitlement and survival.
Richard will demonstrate how these worldviews drive strategic decisions and actions, creating cycles of conflict fueled by historical grievances and contrasting narratives.
Key Points
- Strategic Epistemology
Introduction to the concept and its application to understanding decisions and actions through the lens of worldview. - Worldviews and Conflict
How the historical, cultural, and ideological lenses of Israelis and Palestinians shape their perceptions of land, identity, and sovereignty. - Land, Identity, and Ownership
An examination of differing legal concepts of land (feudal/customary vs. freehold) and how these interpretations have created resentment, dispossession, and conflict. - Worldviews and Actions
How beliefs about land and identity lead to specific decisions and actions, contributing to the ongoing nature of the conflict.
About the Presenter
Richard Martin is the founder and president of Alcera Consulting Inc., a strategic advisory firm specializing in helping organizations navigate uncertainty, exploit change, and seize opportunities while mitigating risks to ensure growth and success. He is recognized for his expertise in strategic leadership, project management, and organizational development, and is the author of Brilliant Manoeuvres: How to Use Military Wisdom to Win Business Battles as well as the creator of the website and blog titled ExploitingChange.com.
Richard’s consulting engagements span a wide range of sectors, including work with the Department of National Defence, Environment Canada, Commissionaires, CGI Global Wealth and Capital Markets, Empire Life, and the Ottawa Police Service. He has collaborated with the Steven Gaffney Company to interviews executives of the Nuclear National Security Administration, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Amazon Web Services, and CGI Federal in the United States. His international experience extends to training managers from companies and organizations in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, and other countries in the Middle East and Africa.
Richard focuses on three core areas:
- Strategic Action
He helps leaders develop strategic clarity through scenario planning, competitive analysis, and strategic risk audits, ensuring alignment between business goals and market positioning. - Navigating Uncertainty
Richard provides tailored strategies for risk management, crisis preparedness, and decision-making frameworks, helping organizations manage volatility and thrive in uncertain times. - Transformative Change
He guides organizations through large-scale transformations, identifying growth opportunities and managing complex transitions for sustained success.
A former infantry officer in the Canadian Army with over 20 years of service, Richard served in leadership and staff positions in Bosnia, Africa, Europe, and the Persian Gulf. He holds a master’s degree in project management from Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO), where he also lectures on project management, leadership, and strategy. His work continues to have a significant impact across both public and private sectors.