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Gloves Off

Gloves Off

Written by: Gloves Off with Stephen Marche
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Gloves Off is about the threat to Canada’s sovereignty and how the country can thrive in the new world disorder. Because it’s not just about surviving as a nation. It’s about winning. Hosted by journalist and author Stephen Marche.


It’s been a year of the old world order falling apart. The rules-based international order is over. But it’s also been a year of great unthinkable change—change to the way Canada operates, who it trusts, and who it fears. This presents an opportunity for Canada to move away from its decades-long dependency on the US towards something new: a third pole of middle power alliances. Last season on Gloves Off, we wanted to survive as a nation. The question was: Are we going to make it? This season, we’re answering the question: How do we win?


Visit gloves-off.ca for more research behind the issues and watch our aftershow Cross Check.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Insurgentsia Productions
Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Is the U.S. Abandoning Its Allies? Julianne Smith on NATO, Canada and the New World Order
    Sep 23 2026

    As America pulls back from its traditional alliances, what does that mean for Canada and the future of the global order?


    In this extended interview, Stephen Marche revisits his conversation with Julianne Smith, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and former senior Pentagon official. Smith explains how the Trump administration has transformed America’s relationships with its allies, why trust in the United States has eroded, and how Canada and other middle powers are responding.


    From NATO and European defence to Canada’s growing ties with the European Union and Nordic countries, Smith explores whether middle powers can build a new “third pole” of global influence—and whether the existing international order can survive America’s retreat.


    What happens when America’s allies start building a world without America at the centre?


    Excerpt of interview originally featured in Ep 8 "What Are We Fighting For?"


    Also visit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues from the Canadian Shield Institute including: a linguistic analysis of how the concept of "sovereignty" has changed over time, based on how it has been used in the House of Commons since 1900.


    Follow us on YouTube

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    37 mins
  • Cross Check: What Are We Fighting For?
    Aug 20 2026

    S2 Episode 8 aftershow with Stephen Marche, Vass Bednar and Jon Shell. The trio dives deeper into the issues of each Gloves Off episode, bringing a mix of insight, expertise, and strong opinions (held at varying degrees) to their lively discussion.


    Canadian Shield Research:

    -Canada's 2026 Sovereignty Obsession is Unprecedented




    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    38 mins
  • Cross Check: How Canada Beats Tech Influence
    Aug 13 2026

    S2 Episode 7 aftershow with Stephen Marche, Vass Bednar and Jon Shell. The trio dives deeper into the issues of each Gloves Off episode, bringing a mix of insight, expertise, and strong opinions (held at varying degrees) to their lively discussion.


    Canadian Shield Research:

    -Big Tech’s CUSMA Wish List


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    32 mins
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