Modern conflicts are fought as much through narrative as they are through force. The physical battlefield is where weapons, missiles, and tactical capabilities determine outcomes in the most immediate sense. Alongside the physical battlefield exists the narrative battlefield, where governments and political actors compete to shape how the conflict is understood, defining its meaning and legitimacy. It is here that control over the ‘why’ behind the destruction of war is contested. Narratives give legitimacy to the use of force and makes the human cost appear justifiable. 

The struggle is not only over territory or tactical gains, but also over perception. Governments frame the use of force, define their objectives, and seek to persuade domestic and international audiences that their actions are righteous and that no viable alternatives exist. In many ways, this reflects a modern contest over the principles of ‘Just War’: who has legitimate cause to use force, whether that force is proportionate, and whether it is perceived as politically and morally necessary. Narratives do not merely justify military action, they also constrain the range of actions that can be publicly defended.

Canada & the War Narrative 

Canada has historically recognized the importance of legitimacy in armed conflict. During the 2003 Iraq War, Ottawa declined to participate not because it lacked military capability or alliance commitments, but because the justification for the intervention failed to gain broad international backing, particularly in the absence of a clear United Nations mandate. The debate extended beyond military considerations and became a question of legality, necessity, and political credibility.

These same dynamics are visible in the current conflict with Iran. While the United States continues to promote tactical achievements and military effects, in part because they provide visible and measurable indicators of progress, it has been far less clear in defining the broader political objectives of the campaign and what strategic outcome those actions are intended to achieve. 

Tactical successes are increasingly being presented by the Trump administration as measures of strategic success, rather than a means to achieve clearly defined political objectives, weakening the link between military action and broader strategy. When President Trump claims that “90% of Iran’s missiles and launchers have been knocked out”, the emphasis is placed on visible and quantifiable battlefield effects rather than on explaining the broader political objectives of the campaign, whether it be deterrence, regime change, coercion, or long-term regional stability. 

This narrative........

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