DefenceReport started in 2010. What we all discovered was that too much of defence and frontline news was not getting the in-depth analysis it could, and that the kind of stories we felt mattered weren’t getting air time. We started small, carrying out our own investigations and moving on to analysis pieces.
And we carry on with that same mission today. However, we have moved from journalism to analysis. As DefenceReport grew in notoriety, it attracted unique, engaging analysts. What separates DefenceReport from other defence media groups is that we want to provide unique analysis and not only engage with policy-makers and academics, but also the public. We continue to accomplish this with our analysts writing academic peer-reviewed papers, and working with think tanks on various policy papers. This is what raises DefenceReport above our competitors and why we have been interviewed by various international media organizations on numerous occasions. In fact, our expertise has been sought out by al-Jazeera, CTV and al-Arabiya (to name a few). And when we get interviewed, we endeavour to bring more information and backstory to our interviews than the usual talking heads. We invite you to check out our Media Limelight section, where we post these interviews to see for yourself.
We love our work and take pride in the finished product. But how could we not? Whether it is a post on the DefenceReport website, a live TV interview on an international or national network, on the radio, a podcast, academic paper or book – we know we are being paid attention to and making a difference.
We are moving towards providing advertising space to those who are interested, willing to bring on new staff or even the odd piece from a concerned professional. We endeavour to expand and make a larger impact.
Sincerely,
Stewart Webb – Editor
Our staff
Stewart Webb – Senior Analyst & Editor
Stewart is the editor for DefenceReport. Stewart holds an MScEcon in Security Studies from Aberystwyth University and holds a BA in Political Science from Acadia University. His specialties include terrorism and insurgencies and Canadian defence procurement issues. He has made frequent appearances on CTV National News, and other Canadian media outlets both radio and TV and has been involved in several book projects, including Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in Modern War (2015) and The Palgrave Handbook for Global Counterterrorism Policy (2017). Stewart can be contacted at [email protected]
Dr. Chris Murray – Senior Analyst & Associate Editor
Chris holds a PhD in Defence Studies from King’s College London, an MA in 
War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada, as well as both a Ba in Anthropology and an HBa in History from Lakehead University. He specializes in irregular conflicts, guerrilla insurgencies, and asymmetrical warfare. His areas of focus include the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe, but are primarily aimed at the Balkans. Chris has served as an advisor and analyst to the office of a Member of Canada’s federal Parliament. He recently finished editing Unknown Conflicts of the Second World War, which was published in 2019. Chris can be contacted at [email protected]
Staff Analysts
Adrian Olivier – Analyst & Marketing Coordinator
Adrian is a journalist and historian. He holds a BA (Hons) in History and a BA in Religious Studies from the University of Cape Town and an Ontario Graduate Certificate in Journalism from Humber College. His post-graduate history thesis focused on the role of Private Military Contractors (PMCs) in the Islamic insurgency in the northeastern Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique during 2020-2021. Specifically, he looked at how Dyck Advisory Group (DAG), a South African-based PMC, influenced the fight, and what impact that had on both government and rebel forces. His interests are foreign affairs and defence. Adrian can be contacted at [email protected]
David Heaton – Analyst
David is an analyst with DefenceReport. He served as a city councillor on the City of York Council and has worked as a volunteer in the campaign offices of Secretary of State John Kerry in Boston, and Andy Slaughter MP in London. He holds an MA(Res) in Democracy and Elections from the University of Manchester, a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the same institution, and a PGCE in Secondary History from Aberystwyth University. His specialist areas include US Government and Politics.
Jesse Laidlaw – Reviewer
Jesse has a BA in History from the University of Guelph with an interest in modern military history and international politics. He is an active member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, serving in the infantry with the Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment). Jesse regularly participates in unit and brigade-level exercises and has course-teaching experience with the CAF. He is also an avid outdoorsman and enjoys camping and hiking in his spare time. As a result, Jesse has a unique position to put a variety of technology and equipment through its paces in the diverse environments of Canada.