Halifax International Security Forum: 3 things to watch

Halifax is being invaded by security experts from around the globe this weekend during the sixth-annualInternational Security Forum.

It will include a nine-member congressional delegation, led by U.S. Senator John McCain, the largest ever tovisit Canada.

Some of the other 300 participants include John Baird, Canadas minister of foreign affairs,EhudBarak, former prime minister of Israel, National Coalition of SyrianRevolution and Opposition Forces presidentHadialBahra and JamesAppathurai,deputy assistant secretary general for political affairs and security policy withNATO.

A poll released on ThursdaybyIpsos Reid, the leading global market and opinion research firm, found two-thirds ofAmericans and 60 per centof Canadians agree the world is more dangerous this year than last and thethreat of an armed conflict has spiked dramatically.

The Halifax International Security Forum will deal with the issuesat the root of the poll.

Things to watch over the next two and half days:

1. ISIS (also known asISIL)and the future of the Arab world. Retired general John Allen, the U.S.Department of State's presidential envoy for theglobal coalition againstISIL, will lead the discussion;

2.HongKong, China: One city, two visions.

3. Ukraine, Russia, and the future of Eurasian democracy

There will also be discussion, some on some off the record, about perspectives on the threat of theIslamic State directly to North America, Ebola, and renewed armed conflicts as well as views onCanadian and American leadership to address these crises.

The conference runs Nov. 21-23.