OTTAWA, ON (January 28, 2020): The Macdonald-Laurier Institute is pleased to formally welcome our newest Fellows, Drs. James Boutilier and Balkan Devlen, who have joined MLI’s Centre for Advancing Canada’s Interests Abroad (CACIA) in the roles of Distinguished Fellow and Senior Fellow, respectively.
Commenting on the newest Fellows, MLI Managing Director Brian Lee Crowley said that “When it comes to issues of foreign affairs, Drs. Boutilier and Devlen are among the best and brightest public policy thought leaders; we could not be happier to welcome them to our growing team.”
“MLI once again finds itself in the fortunate position of being able to attract such impressive talent.”
Dr. James Boutilier is one of Canada’s foremost experts on maritime defence and security in the Indo-Pacific region. As the former Special Advisor (Policy) at Canada’s Maritime Forces Pacific Headquarters, he had a direct role in terms of providing foreign policy and defence advice to the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific. Boutilier is also a Research Associate with the University of Victoria’s Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives.
“The activities of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute are supremely important,” explained Boutilier “The Institute addresses critical issues with clarity and candour, thereby fulfilling an absolutely vital public role as a source of deeply informed commentary. I am eager to be contributing to their already substantial body of work on the Indo-Pacific region.”
An Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Dr. Balkan Devlen is an experienced researcher with internationally recognized expertise on international affairs and foreign policy, particularly with regards to NATO’s Eastern and Southern flanks, the foreign and security policies of Russia and Turkey, decision-making under uncertainty, and forecasting and strategic foresight.
“With Canada facing down complex challenges in a rapidly-changing foreign policy landscape, MLI has been the clearest voice in terms of standing up for Canada’s national interests,” remarked Dr. Devlen. “I look forward to getting more involved with the Institute’s work.”
According to Shuvaloy Majumdar and J. Berkshire Miller, the additions of Drs. Boutilier and Devlen are a reminder of MLI’s ever increasing presence on all manner of foreign policy issues.
“MLI is delighted to welcome Balkan and Jim to our growing roster of foreign policy experts. Both have deep experience and expertise on regional security dynamics and their convergence with Canadian interests,” Majumdar and Miller explained. “Their contributions will certainly help MLI’s foreign policy work continue to address the most important foreign and security policy areas for Canada.”
For more information media are invited to contact:
Brett Byers
Communications and Digital Media Manager
613-482-8327 x105
brett.byers-lane@macdonaldlaurier.ca
