The Strong and Weak U.S. Presidents - Then There's Canada

Well, here's something most Americans aren't paying attention to, and frankly, they should be. Canada is in the market for submarines. Not the sandwich kind, but the real deal. Three-hundred-foot vessels that can operate under Arctic ice. The federal government up there has narrowed their bidding down to South Korea's Hanwha Ocean and a German outfit called ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. They're looking to replace their aging Victoria-class fleet with up to twelve modern submarines starting around 2035.

Now on the surface, this looks like a country finally waking up to the reality that the world has changed. NATO commitments, Arctic sovereignty, the whole nine yards. Prime Minister Mark Carney has been making noise about ramping up defense spending and playing a bigger role in transatlantic security. Sounds good, right? Sounds like maybe our neighbors to the north are getting serious about pulling their weight.

Don't get too excited.

Here's the problem with Canada, and it's one nobody in polite company wants to discuss. They've spent years opening their borders, particularly to Chinese nationals, and now they're sitting on a demographic and security situation that's going to come back to haunt them. Trudeau started the mess, and Carney isn't much better. Different suit, same fundamental problem. The guy ran the Bank of Canada, then the Bank of England, and now he's supposed to be the adult in the room. But when you look at the trajectory of Canadian policy, you see a country that's drifting further from its traditional alliance with the United States and closer to becoming something we're going to have to manage rather than partner with.

I'll say what others won't. My prediction is that Canada, at some point in the future, becomes more of a foe than a friend. Not tomorrow, not next year, but the seeds are being planted right now. And when that day comes, the United States is going to have to exert some serious influence up there. Nobody wants to have that conversation, but it is what it is. You don't ignore a problem on your northern border just because it's uncomfortable to acknowledge.

The western provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, they'll probably be fine. Good people up there with sensible values who understand what makes a country work. But the eastern provinces, Ontario, Quebec, that whole corridor, that's where the trouble is brewing. And don't forget Vancouver and British Columbia, right above Washington State. That's become a hotbed of the same kind of progressive nonsense that's infected our own West Coast cities.

You think we've got problems in Minnesota with white liberals who get so worked up over their causes that they literally set themselves on fire? Wait until you see what's coming out of eastern Canada. Same mentality, same detachment from reality, same willingness to destroy themselves and everything around them in service of ideas that don't survive contact with the real world.

Now, should Canada modernize its submarine fleet? Absolutely. Any serious country needs the ability to defend its own waters, and the Arctic is becoming more strategically important by the day. The fact that South Korean and German companies are running advertising campaigns in Ottawa, putting their submarines on billboards and bus ads like they're selling pickup trucks, tells you something about how competitive this procurement has become. Billions of dollars are at stake, and everybody wants a piece.

But here's what Americans need to understand. A stronger Canadian military doesn't automatically mean a more reliable ally. That depends entirely on who's running the show and what their priorities are. Right now, Canada's leadership class is more interested in virtue signaling to international bodies than in being a dependable partner to the nation that shares the longest undefended border in the world with them.

President Trump understood this. He understood that you can't take alliances for granted, that every country has to earn its place at the table by contributing meaningfully to collective security. Canada got comfortable hiding behind American power while lecturing us about our values. Those days need to end.

So watch what happens with this submarine deal. Watch who Canada chooses and what strings come attached. And more importantly, watch the political direction that country takes over the next decade. Because the northern border that Americans have ignored for generations may not stay quiet forever. The smart play is to start paying attention now, before the situation requires responses nobody wants to contemplate.

That's the reality. Uncomfortable as it may be.

The history of U.S. submarine development and deployment since the Eisenhower administration centers primarily on the transition to and expansion of nuclear-powered submarines, which revolutionized undersea warfare. This includes fast-attack submarines (SSNs) for anti-submarine/anti-surface roles, intelligence, and strike missions, and ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) for strategic nuclear deterrence. Diesel-electric submarines largely phased out for frontline roles by the late 1950s/early 1960s.Key milestones include Admiral Hyman G. Rickover's leadership in nuclear propulsion, the Polaris/Poseidon/Trident missile systems for SSBNs, and advanced designs emphasizing stealth, speed, and multi-mission capability.Here is a breakdown by presidential administration, starting with Dwight D. Eisenhower (note: development often spans administrations due to long shipbuilding timelines; focus is on major initiations, key commissions, deployments, and policy/strategic emphases during each term).Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961)

Eisenhower

The nuclear submarine era began under Eisenhower. The world's first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus (SSN-571), had its keel laid in 1952 (under Truman), but was launched in 1954 (christened by Mamie Eisenhower) and commissioned in September 1954. Nautilus demonstrated unlimited submerged endurance and achieved the first under-North Pole transit in 1958 (Operation Sunshine), earning a Presidential Unit Citation.

Eisenhower personally supported the program, riding submerged on USS Seawolf (SSN-575) in 1957 and viewing Polaris tests on USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) in 1960.

Development accelerated on early nuclear classes: Skipjack-class (first with teardrop hull for better submerged performance; lead ship commissioned 1959) and initial SSBNs. The Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program began, leading to Polaris missiles.

By the end of his term, 18 nuclear-powered boats had launched/commissioned. The first SSBN, USS George Washington (SSBN-598), was laid down in 1957 and commissioned just after his term (December 1959), with the first submerged Polaris launch in 1960. Submarines shifted toward Cold War deterrence.John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)

The Polaris program matured rapidly. USS George Washington began the first deterrent patrol in November 1960 (spanning into Kennedy's term), establishing the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad.

Multiple Polaris SSBNs (George Washington-class and early Ethan Allen-class) commissioned and deployed. Attack submarine development continued with Thresher-class (lead ship USS Thresher SSN-593 commissioned 1961), emphasizing deeper diving and advanced sonar, though Thresher was lost in 1963 (after Kennedy's death).

Kennedy

Kennedy emphasized flexible response, bolstering conventional and nuclear capabilities, including submarine forces for deterrence against Soviet threats.

Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)

SSBN deployments expanded dramatically under the "41 for Freedom" goal (41 Polaris SSBNs). Lafayette-class and early Poseidon-conversion boats commissioned, with improved missiles.

Attack submarine force grew with Sturgeon-class (lead ship commissioned 1967), focused on quieting and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) against Soviet subs.

Submarines supported Vietnam-era operations indirectly (e.g., intelligence, special ops), though primary focus remained Cold War deterrence.

Nixon

Richard Nixon (1969–1974)

Poseidon C-3 missile deployed on SSBNs (1970s conversions), increasing warheads via MIRV.

Ultra-quiet Los Angeles-class SSN program initiated (lead contract 1971; first boat laid down 1972).

Submarines played key deterrent roles amid SALT I negotiations (1972), which limited strategic systems but preserved SSBN advantage.Gerald Ford (1974–1977)

Los Angeles-class construction continued; USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) commissioned 1976.

Trident I missile development advanced for future SSBNs. Focus on maintaining submarine superiority amid détente.

Carter

Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)

Trident program progressed; Ohio-class SSBN lead ship laid down 1976 (commissioned 1981).

Los Angeles-class expanded. Carter (former nuclear submarine officer) supported naval modernization despite budget constraints.

Reagan

Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)

Massive 600-ship Navy buildup included rapid Ohio-class SSBN commissioning (beginning 1981) with Trident I (later Trident II).

Los Angeles-class production peaked; Seawolf-class initiated (lead ship laid down 1989) for superior ASW/stealth against advanced Soviet subs.

Submarines deployed aggressively in Cold War endgame, including shadowing Soviet forces.

Bush

George H. W. Bush (1989–1993)

Cold War ended; Seawolf-class first boat (USS Seawolf SSN-21) commissioned 1997 (development during Bush).

Ohio-class continued; post-Cold War drawdown began, but SSBN deterrence remained core.

Clinton

Bill Clinton (1993–2001)

Los Angeles-class completed (last commissioned 1996).

Four Ohio-class SSBNs converted to SSGNs (guided missile subs with Tomahawk cruise missiles/special ops) planned later but roots in this era.

Virginia-class attack submarine program initiated (contract 1998; lead ship laid down 1999) as cost-effective Los Angeles successor.

Bush

George W. Bush (2001–2009)

Virginia-class first boat (USS Virginia SSN-774) commissioned 2004.

SSGN conversions of four Ohio-class began (completed 2007).

Submarines supported post-9/11 operations (e.g., Tomahawk strikes from SSNs/SSGNs in Afghanistan/Iraq).

Obama

Barack Obama (2009–2017)

Virginia-class production ramped up (Blocks I–III).

Ohio-class sustainment; early planning for Ohio replacement (now Columbia-class SSBN).

Submarines key in Asia-Pacific rebalance against China.

Trump

Donald Trump (2017–2021)

Columbia-class SSBN program advanced (lead boat contract 2017; construction began 2021).

Virginia-class continued (Blocks IV+); emphasis on undersea dominance vs. peer competitors (China/Russia).

Biden

Joe Biden (2021–2025)

Columbia-class construction ongoing (first boat delivery expected late 2020s/early 2030s).

Virginia-class production (aiming 2–3 per year); focus on industrial base challenges and AUKUS pact (U.S. to provide Virginia-class to Australia in 2030s).

Trump

Donald Trump (2025–present, as of January 2026)

Early in the second non-consecutive term; submarine programs (Columbia, Virginia) continue under existing budgets/plans, with emphasis on naval readiness amid great-power competition.

U.S. submarine development post-Eisenhower transformed from experimental nuclear propulsion to a dominant, stealthy force central to national defense, with ~68 boats today (50+ SSNs, 14 SSBNs, 4 SSGNs).

The shift prioritized survivable nuclear deterrence and multi-role undersea superiority.