NATO fears losing its ideological grip on the young so the belligerent military alliance’s backers are fighting back.
In recent years a number of NATO-aligned institutions have expressed concern about the political orientation of younger generations. According to a report published by the NATO Association of Canada, youth support for militarism and hawkish foreign policy is substantially weaker among Gen Z and Millennials than among older demographics. In both the U.S. and Canada, youth are more skeptical of portraying countries like China and Russia as existential threats and more likely to oppose U.S. military aid to Israel and support Palestinian rights. When it comes to peace, young people are most likely to support it. The NATO Association of Canada report calls for urgent efforts to reframe military spending to the young as a civic duty.
In a similar vein, a recent Association for Canadian Studies poll found that the youth are far less likely to support war with Iran and back narratives that challenge U.S., NATO and Israeli positions. Students were the least supportive of war or to believe Iran wants to destroy Israel and most conflicted about militarized solutions — to the chagrin of the pro-Israel and war Association for Canadian Studies and National Post.
This is the context in which to understand the emergence of the Young Politicians of Canada. The group presents itselfas an inclusive, youth-led, non-profit aiming to foster civic engagement. But, behind the glossy branding and some legitimate youth advocacy on non military issues, lies a structure closely entangled with NATO-aligned institutions. In fact, NATO Canada is the number one partner listed on the Young Politicians of Canada website and its “National Security Task Force” boasts of collaborating with NATO-Canada and the White House. Young Politicians of Canada’s “National Security Task Force” recently sent teenagers to Washington, D.C. for briefings from the White House National Security Council, NATO, and affiliated think tanks. According to its website, “this initiative is only made possible by the joint efforts of the White House, NATO Canada, YATA-NATO Canada, and the Young Politicians of Canada.” After the conference the participants co-authored a report for the federal government promoting U.S. and NATO priorities. (more...)
Unmasking NATO Front: Young Politicians of Canada




































