Mark Yaniszewski

Assistant Professor

Doctor of Philosophy
Telephone: 519.661.2111 ext. 85182
E-mail: myanisze@uwo.ca
Office: Social Science Centre 7334

Education

DPhil Carleton University, MA University of Waterloo, BA University of Waterloo

Research Interests

I am currently working on a study that looks at Canada’s role in the 2003 war in Iraq.  This project includes materials obtained through an Access to Information request and documents Canada’s military direct and indirect contributions to that conflict.

I am also developing a long-term research project that examines “bureaucratic discretion” of military personnel in the context of two closely related questions. First, when — if ever — is it legitimate for members of the armed forces to disobey instructions issued by democratically elected officials? And second, what are the precise limits to bureaucratic discretion as exercised by military personnel in the conduct of military policy-making and implementation?  Specific topics under investigation include the following: (a) the dilemmas faced by military commanders in instances where civilian direction and authority is divided and/or contradictory, (b) the proper limits on "public comment" by military personnel, (c) the legal and moral dilemmas facing "whistle blowers," (d) the impact of emerging areas of international law (e.g., laws against genocide and the so-called “responsibility to protect”) on military obedience to civilian authorities in conflict regions, and (e) the problems associated when policy "generalists" direct military "experts" in the field.

Selected Publications

Academic Publications

  • 2007: “Reporting on Fratricide: Canadian Newspapers and the Incident at Tarnak Farm, Afghanistan” International Journal, Vol. LXII, No. 2 (Spring), pp. 362-380.  (Peer Reviewed)
  • 2006: “Book Review: ‘Friendly Fire: The Untold Story of the U.S. Bombing that Killed Four Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan,’” Journal of Strategic Studies, Vol. 29, No. 5 (October), pp. 951-954.
  • 2005: “Book Review: ‘My Life is a Weapon: A Modern History of Suicide Bombing.’” International Journal, Vol. LX, No. 3 (Summer), pp. 893-895.
  • 2005: “Fratricide and the Media: An Analysis of Canadian Newspaper Coverage of the Incident at Tarnak Farm.” Connections, No. 14 (March), 12pp.  (Department of National Defence — Public Affairs e-journal [restricted distribution]).
  • 2004: "Civil-Military Relations in Post-Communist Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union."  The Evolution of Civil-Military Relations in East-Central Europe and the Former Soviet Union.  Eds. Natalie L. Mychajlyszyn and Harald von Riekhoff.  Contributions in Military Studies, No. 228.  Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.  Pp. 19-38.
  • 2002: "Post-Communist Civil-Military Reform in Poland and Hungary: Progress and Problems."  Armed Forces and Society, Vol. 28, No. 3 (Spring), pp. 385-402.  (Peer Reviewed)
  • 2000: "Book Review: ‘The Collapse of the Soviet Military.’"  Canadian Foreign Policy, Vol. 8, No. 1 (Fall), pp. 165-171.
  • 2000: "Civil-Military Reform in Poland and Hungary: A Comparative Examination of the Effects of NATO Expansion."  Paper presented at the International Studies Association "ISA 2000" Conference (Los Angeles, March 15-18).
  • 1999: [Author-Contributor to Collective Project]  Report on Specific Problems of Civil-Military Relations in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary.  Eds. Harald von Riekhoff and Natalie Mychajlyszyn.  Ottawa: Military Training Assistance Program/Democratic Civil-Military Relations Program (Research Component) and Carleton University.
  • 1999: [Author-Contributor to Collective Project]  Report on Specific Problems and Developments in Civil-Military Relations in the Baltic Republics, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.  Eds. Harald von Riekhoff and Natalie Mychajlyszyn.  Ottawa: Military Training Assistance Program/Democratic Civil-Military Relations Program (Research Component) and Carleton University.

Other Publications

  • 2014: “Driving While Stoned should be Part of Pot Legalization Debate,” Waterloo Region Record (January 25, 2014), p. A11.
  • 2011:  “Governor General Will Make the Call.”  Waterloo Region Record (April 30), p. A13.
  • 2010: “Census Flap Began with Broken ‘Promise.’”  Winnipeg Free Press (July 28), A12.
  • 2010: “Census Debate Could Be Resolved.”  Waterloo Region Record (July 27, 2010), A17 * Syndicated to the Guelph Mercury (July 27), A9.