Friday, December 8, 2023
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Friday, December 8, 2023 | Latest Paper

Scott Taylor

Scott Taylor is editor and publisher of Esprit de Corps magazine.

Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 4, 2023
While emphatically insisting to media that all steps were taken by the CAF instructors to identify potential extremists, military leaders also conceded that Ukraine is a sovereign country, and as such, the vetting of recruits is their responsibility, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 4, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 4, 2023
While emphatically insisting to media that all steps were taken by the CAF instructors to identify potential extremists, military leaders also conceded that Ukraine is a sovereign country, and as such, the vetting of recruits is their responsibility, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 27, 2023
Michael Spavor, left, is seeking a settlement from the Canadian government after alleging he was detained in China because he unwittingly provided intelligence on North Korea to Canada and allied spy services through Michael Kovrig. Photograph courtesy of X and the International Crisis Group
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 27, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 27, 2023
Michael Spavor, left, is seeking a settlement from the Canadian government after alleging he was detained in China because he unwittingly provided intelligence on North Korea to Canada and allied spy services through Michael Kovrig. Photograph courtesy of X and the International Crisis Group
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 20, 2023
A senior officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force has been charged after the Canada Border Services Agency seized various prohibited weapons including handguns, assault rifles, shot guns, ammunition, and magazines in October 2023. Photograph courtesy of the CBSA
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 20, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 20, 2023
A senior officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force has been charged after the Canada Border Services Agency seized various prohibited weapons including handguns, assault rifles, shot guns, ammunition, and magazines in October 2023. Photograph courtesy of the CBSA
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 13, 2023
Canadian Forces soldiers from Joint Task Force Afghanistan Roto 4 participate in a Remembrance Day ceremony held at Kandahar Airfield, Nov. 11, 2007. DND photograph by Cplc Robert Bottrill
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 13, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 13, 2023
Canadian Forces soldiers from Joint Task Force Afghanistan Roto 4 participate in a Remembrance Day ceremony held at Kandahar Airfield, Nov. 11, 2007. DND photograph by Cplc Robert Bottrill
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 6, 2023
Unlike major wars of the past, there are fewer modern conflicts where the Canadian military’s participation has led to a clear-cut victorious outcome, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 6, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | November 6, 2023
Unlike major wars of the past, there are fewer modern conflicts where the Canadian military’s participation has led to a clear-cut victorious outcome, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 30, 2023
If we are to take General Wayne Eyre’s, right, assessment to heart that we are already at war, we must also take stock of Canada’s current state of military readiness—and the situation is not good, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 30, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 30, 2023
If we are to take General Wayne Eyre’s, right, assessment to heart that we are already at war, we must also take stock of Canada’s current state of military readiness—and the situation is not good, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 23, 2023
Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan was appointed as the Canadian Armed Forces’ professional conduct and culture chief in 2021 in bid to change the channel on the military’s history with systemic misconduct. DND photograph by Pvt. Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 23, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 23, 2023
Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan was appointed as the Canadian Armed Forces’ professional conduct and culture chief in 2021 in bid to change the channel on the military’s history with systemic misconduct. DND photograph by Pvt. Hugo Montpetit
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 16, 2023
Members of multiple nations conduct a firepower demonstration for media and special guests during Operation Reassurance at Camp Adazi, Latvia, on March 29, 2023. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 16, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 16, 2023
Members of multiple nations conduct a firepower demonstration for media and special guests during Operation Reassurance at Camp Adazi, Latvia, on March 29, 2023. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 9, 2023
At a Sept. 28 House Defence Committee meeting, Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre admitted that trimming nearly $1-billion from the DND budget would have an impact on operations, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 9, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 9, 2023
At a Sept. 28 House Defence Committee meeting, Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre admitted that trimming nearly $1-billion from the DND budget would have an impact on operations, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 2, 2023
As Canada’s top soldier, General Wayne Eyre represents every serving member and veteran in the country and it’s a career officer of his rank would be so ignorant of military history as to not realize that Yaroslav Hunka must be a Nazi soldier, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 2, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | October 2, 2023
As Canada’s top soldier, General Wayne Eyre represents every serving member and veteran in the country and it’s a career officer of his rank would be so ignorant of military history as to not realize that Yaroslav Hunka must be a Nazi soldier, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2023
Vice-Admiral J.R. Auchterlonie, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, speaks to the Canadian Armed Forces members tasked with training recruits of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during Operation Unifier in the United Kingdom on May 18. DND photograph by Corporal Marco Tijam
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 25, 2023
Vice-Admiral J.R. Auchterlonie, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, speaks to the Canadian Armed Forces members tasked with training recruits of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during Operation Unifier in the United Kingdom on May 18. DND photograph by Corporal Marco Tijam
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2023
Instead of replacing the aging Polaris fleet, surely it would be cheaper and a better use of resources for the various government departments to simply charter the passenger flights on an ‘as-required’ basis, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 18, 2023
Instead of replacing the aging Polaris fleet, surely it would be cheaper and a better use of resources for the various government departments to simply charter the passenger flights on an ‘as-required’ basis, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2023
The skyline of Russia's capital is now speckled with modern skyscrapers built within the last two decades. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 13, 2023
The skyline of Russia's capital is now speckled with modern skyscrapers built within the last two decades. Photograph courtesy of Scott Taylor
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2023
The HMCS Ottawa flies the Battle Ensign during a photo exercise while transiting the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 26, 2023. The ship was among an allied battle group East China Sea that encountered a pair of Chinese warship in the East China Sea last week. DND photograph by Aviator Gregory Cole
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 11, 2023
The HMCS Ottawa flies the Battle Ensign during a photo exercise while transiting the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 26, 2023. The ship was among an allied battle group East China Sea that encountered a pair of Chinese warship in the East China Sea last week. DND photograph by Aviator Gregory Cole
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2023
For the men and women of 8 Wing, the charges against Col. Leif Dahl, left, are the second time the trust in their leadership and chain of command have been challenged in recent memory, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of DND, Lieutenant Kurt Visser
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | September 4, 2023
For the men and women of 8 Wing, the charges against Col. Leif Dahl, left, are the second time the trust in their leadership and chain of command have been challenged in recent memory, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of DND, Lieutenant Kurt Visser
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2023
Russian authorities say Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead following an Aug. 23 plane crash north of Moscow, but almost nothing in Russian politics is exactly as it seems, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of the BBC
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 28, 2023
Russian authorities say Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is dead following an Aug. 23 plane crash north of Moscow, but almost nothing in Russian politics is exactly as it seems, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of the BBC
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2023
Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, mentor Ukrainian recruits during a trench clearance on Operation Unifier, on Feb. 2 in the United Kingdom. Since the spring of 2015, Canada’s Operation Unifier has trained more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 21, 2023
Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, mentor Ukrainian recruits during a trench clearance on Operation Unifier, on Feb. 2 in the United Kingdom. Since the spring of 2015, Canada’s Operation Unifier has trained more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers, writes Scott Taylor. DND photograph by Corporal Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian military is no longer the parade square paper tigers that rolled across the Ukraine border in February 2022, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of President of Ukraine/Flickr and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 14, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian military is no longer the parade square paper tigers that rolled across the Ukraine border in February 2022, writes Scott Taylor. Photographs courtesy of President of Ukraine/Flickr and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
According to documents released under the Access to Information Act, some 252 executives at the Department of National Defence—now overseen by Minister Bill Blair—received a performance bonus between April 2021 and March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 7, 2023
According to documents released under the Access to Information Act, some 252 executives at the Department of National Defence—now overseen by Minister Bill Blair—received a performance bonus between April 2021 and March 2022, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 2, 2023
Coming into his new job, Defence Minister Bill Blair will, among other things, be faced with warding off pressure from our NATO allies—the U.S. in particular—to spend more money on defence, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 2, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | August 2, 2023
Coming into his new job, Defence Minister Bill Blair will, among other things, be faced with warding off pressure from our NATO allies—the U.S. in particular—to spend more money on defence, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš speak at the Ādaži military base in Latvia on July 10. The question is where our under-strength Army units are going to find and train the prerequisite number of personnel to keep the necessary Canadian soldiers forward deployed in Latvia, writes Scott Taylor. Latvian State Chancellery photograph by Gatis Rozenfelds
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš speak at the Ādaži military base in Latvia on July 10. The question is where our under-strength Army units are going to find and train the prerequisite number of personnel to keep the necessary Canadian soldiers forward deployed in Latvia, writes Scott Taylor. Latvian State Chancellery photograph by Gatis Rozenfelds
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attend a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 17, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attend a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12. Photograph courtesy of NATO/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2023
The Wagner Group’s aborted mutiny in Russia is only one in a long line of escapades by privately owned mercenary armies who have been employed by global super powers to extend their martial authority without having to endanger the lives of their own citizenry, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 10, 2023
The Wagner Group’s aborted mutiny in Russia is only one in a long line of escapades by privately owned mercenary armies who have been employed by global super powers to extend their martial authority without having to endanger the lives of their own citizenry, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2023
It does not take much imagination to ponder what would have happened if Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin had succeeded in ousting Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CNN
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | July 3, 2023
It does not take much imagination to ponder what would have happened if Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin had succeeded in ousting Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Scott Taylor. Screenshot courtesy of CNN
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2023
The recent tragic loss of Captains David Domagala, left, and Marc Larouche will reverberate throughout the entire defence community, writes Scott Taylor. Handout photograph
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 26, 2023
The recent tragic loss of Captains David Domagala, left, and Marc Larouche will reverberate throughout the entire defence community, writes Scott Taylor. Handout photograph
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participates in a ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the National Guard of Ukraine on March 24. On the battlefield, it is apparent the Ukrainian military has begun its counteroffensive, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the office the President of Ukraine/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 19, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participates in a ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the National Guard of Ukraine on March 24. On the battlefield, it is apparent the Ukrainian military has begun its counteroffensive, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the office the President of Ukraine/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2023
Members from the 41 Canadian Brigade and local firefighters participate in fire prevention operations in Drayton Valley, Alta., on May 15. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 12, 2023
Members from the 41 Canadian Brigade and local firefighters participate in fire prevention operations in Drayton Valley, Alta., on May 15. DND photograph by MCpl Genevieve Lapointe
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2023
An Avidrone Avipak30 automated cargo delivery system is displayed at the Avidrone Aerospace booth at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on May 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | June 5, 2023
An Avidrone Avipak30 automated cargo delivery system is displayed at the Avidrone Aerospace booth at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on May 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2023
As a sort of chess-move counter to Russia losing the battlefield advantage, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently ordered the forward deployment of tactical nuclear weapons into neighbouring Belarus, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 29, 2023
As a sort of chess-move counter to Russia losing the battlefield advantage, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently ordered the forward deployment of tactical nuclear weapons into neighbouring Belarus, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Ottawa on Sept. 23, 2022. There was media speculation that during a recent meeting in Korea, talks between the two leaders involved a potential submarine deal, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 24, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Ottawa on Sept. 23, 2022. There was media speculation that during a recent meeting in Korea, talks between the two leaders involved a potential submarine deal, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2023
To give them credit, the Vimy Foundation has been hugely successful in promoting the Vimy Ridge myth over the past two decades, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Andy Hay/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 15, 2023
To give them credit, the Vimy Foundation has been hugely successful in promoting the Vimy Ridge myth over the past two decades, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of Andy Hay/Flickr
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 8, 2023
Members of MV Asterix perform a replenishment at sea with HMS Lancaster in the Red Sea during Operation Savanne on April 27. DND photograph by S1 Taylor Congdon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 8, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 8, 2023
Members of MV Asterix perform a replenishment at sea with HMS Lancaster in the Red Sea during Operation Savanne on April 27. DND photograph by S1 Taylor Congdon
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2023
On April 27, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the Canadian Armed Forces would be belatedly riding to the rescue for Canadian nationals in Sudan, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2023
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | May 1, 2023
On April 27, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the Canadian Armed Forces would be belatedly riding to the rescue for Canadian nationals in Sudan, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 26, 2023
Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre speaks with soldiers deployed on Operation Unifier in the U.K. on Oct. 28, 2022. Last October, Eyre declared the personnel shortage to be the CAF’s No. 1 priority, writes Scott Taylor. Photograph courtesy of the CAF/Corp. Eric Greico
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | April 26, 2023