Canadian Intelligence Eh

Borealis has had a good run since 2015 - podcasts, blogs, media interviews, etc. not to mention six books on terrorism. It is time, however, to move on. This is the last podcast... for now.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS...

France could be seen as the 'birthplace' of terrorism - think the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution of the 1790s. The country has seen some catastrophic attacks such as the Stade de France/Bataclan jihadi one of November 2015. A new report discusses the state of terrorism in France and Borealis talks to its author Alexandre Rodde from the Gendarmerie NationaleAlexandre is a security consultant specialised in terrorism and mass shootings. His work includes risk ass...

When an arrest is made in a terrorism case or, worst case scenario, we are doing a post-analysis of an attack, we often read about a person's 'radicalisation process'. The assumption is that terrorists are made, not born, and that there are signs to look for before it is too late. Borealis talks to Executive Director Myrieme Churchill of Parents4peace, an organisation that aims to help families identify and deal with these casesMyrieme Churchill is the Executive Director of Parent...

There are two types of terrorists: those who die/are killed in their attacks and those who are not. The latter usually end up in prison for long periods of time. Then what? Borealis talks once again with Norwegian CT analyst Atle Mesoy on the infamous Anders Breivik case from 2011.►Listen to my previous podcast with Atle Mesoy: Episode #126 - Is it time to revisit the mental illness/terrorism nexus? Atle Mesoy is the founder of U-Turn, an Oslo-based NGO working to prevent vi...

Canada's intelligence agency CSIS has a national presence across the country. That it where the investigations happen and the intel is collected. What it is like to run such a shop? Borealis talks to former senior CSIS IO Dan Faughnan.Dan Faughnan served for over 30 years with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Canadian Armed Forces, retiring as a senior director general. During his long career Dan served in multiple domestic offices and overseas missions, de...

Some 40,000 ISIS terrorists joined the group in the mid-2010s from over 100 nations, including Canada. Many are still alive, some languishing in prisons or camps, including women and children. There are those lobbying for their return to their homelands: is this wise? Borealis has a conversation with Dr. Alexandra Bain, a religious studies prof at St Thomas University in New Brunswick.CORRECTION: Dr Bain noted that a returned female ISIS terrorist has been charged and will a...

While acts of terrorism are not all expensive ventures, some terrorist groups do manage large financial empires (ISIS is a good example). Just how important is this and how do we detect/stop these money flows? Borealis talks with one of Canada's leading money laundering/terrorist financing gurus Kim ManchesterKim R. Manchester is the Managing Director of ManchesterCF Financial Intelligence, a firm based in Toronto that supplies online financial intelligence training programs to fi...

Borealis has a conversation with Jennifer Benmenashe in Montreal on why she wants to gain a position on national security with the Canadian government.About the guest Jennifer Benmenashe:After completing her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto in History, Political Science and Religion, Jennifer Lauren continued her studies at King’s College London, UK, where she has just completed her Master’s degree in Intelligence and International Security. She has continued to engage in her re...

The most recent Canadian national threat assessment names incels as one of the most serious menaces to public safety. Are they really? Borealis chats once again with the world's premiere authority on these people, the Incel Project founder Naama Kates.Naama Kates is an investigative journalist and host of the podcast "Incel" which dives deep inside the incel community. Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for ...

The events in Canada over the last few weeks have made international headlines and even spawned similar actions abroad (France, NZ, the Netherlands). What is it all about? Borealis weighs in on language, intelligence and a little discussed troubling event in Western Canada that could be actual terrorism.Mentionned articles:►Gurski: The ‘truck convoy’ is many things but it is not terrorism►CBC bias on full display in coverage of Freedom Convoy, Coastal GasLink protestsAbout the hos...

Movies about spies are a dime a dozen - think James Bond. But what is working in intelligence really like? Borealis is joined by Andrew Kirsch, author of a new book "I was never here"Andrew Kirsch served as an intelligence officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) for just under a decade. He held roles as a policy analyst and a field investigator, ultimately leading the special operations security team running covert warranted operations. Today, Kirsch runs a securi...

Many people probably believe that anyone who plans a terrorist attack in which their own death is assured (i.e. a suicide bomb) is mentally suspect. And yet research has shown that most terrorists are as 'normal' as you or me. But are they? Borealis is joined by Norwegian practitioner Atle Mesoy to discuss these matters.Atle Mesoy is the founder of U-Turn, an Oslo-based NGO working to prevent violent extremism. U-Turn is based on research and fieldwork within terrorism and p...

Three years ago a Saudi 'Tiger Team' tried to assassinate a high-ranking former intel official now living in Canada, Dr Saad Al Jabri. When that failed, the Saudis sued the official, alleging massive fraud. A similar case in the US has just been dismissed as groundless: what should Canada do now? Borealis is rejoined by former CSIS agent Al Treddenick to discuss.Alan Treddenick is a former senior Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) officer who was stationed at the ...

When you are the chief of police of a major city or, more narrowly a national capital, things get complicated. Not only are there everyday issues (traffic, petty crime, etc.) but also national security ones and there are often multiple police jurisdictions at play. As Ottawa is still dealing with an anti-vaccine mandate trucking convoy, Borealis talks to former Ottawa Chief of Police Charles Bordeleau.Born and raised in Ottawa, Bordeleau began his policing career in 1984 and becam...

An interview with Christine Veer, entrepreneur & investigator. She shares a little on her background and why she’s passionate about making a difference in the world of national security, especially counter-terrorism. You can also learn more about her through her Linkedin profile at www.linkedin.com/in/christine-veer/About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hu...

When China seized the 'two Michaels' (Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig) in December 2018 it was clearly a retaliation for Canada's arrest, at the behest of the US, of the CFO of Huawei. Canadians were incensed at this violation of law and blamed China for it. A new book on this affair, entitled appropriately 'The Two Michaels', is out and Borealis has a chat with one of the authors, Canadian Press journalist Mike Blanchfield.Mike Blanchfield is the international affairs wri...

For many citizens the macabre fascination with terrorism ends when trials are held and the bad guys are sent to jail. But is that the end of the threat? Borealis talks with former UK prison governor Ian Acheson on what happens after the barred doors are closed.Ian Acheson spent a quarter century in prison security and counter-terrorism. He also ran the UK government’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, in Southwest England. He currently works as a senior adviser to the US-based Counte...

For some of us a career in intelligence/law enforcement came about almost randomly (or completely randomly in my case!). For others it was a chance to follow in the footsteps of someone admired. Borealis talks to Eric Caron, a 25-year veteran US Special Agent about his career fighting bad guys.Eric Caron is a retired U.S. Diplomat, U.S. Special Agent, HSBC Middle East Bank Executive and author of SWITCHED ON – The Heart and Mind of a Special Agent. He held senior positions within ...

When we talk about counter terrorism we mean all kinds of things, ranging from 'preventing' people from going down the road to potential violence to those who actually want to kill. What is at stake when we have to kill to prevent an act from occurring. Borealis has a chat with ex-Australian soldier Shane Healey on these issues and others.Shane Healey enlisted in the Australian Army in 1995. Between 2004 and 2008 he was a private military contractor in Iraq where he initially trai...

A curious phenomenon has arisen of late: Westerners advocating that Canada and other nations bring back ISIS terrorists. Such an act would necessitate expensive trials, the difficult gathering of evidence and the almost impossible procurement of witnesses. Borealis looks at why these people are almost the equivalent of the 'useful idiots' of the Cold War.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security...

A lot of us feel good when we put the recycling bin out on garbage day, confident we are helping the environment. But did you know that organised crime is a big part of this industry? Could terrorist groups get involved too? Borealis talks with Virginia Comolli, author of a new paper "Plastic for Profit: tracing illicit plastic waste flows, supply chains and actors".Virginia Comolli is the research manager for the GI-TOC programme ‘Anticipating and disrupting environmental c...

Shark attacks are terrifying; on that I think we all agree. So are sharks therefore 'terrorists'? If a Michigan state attorney can charge a 15-year old school shooter who 'terrified' his classmates with terrorism where does this all end? Borealis looks at the worrisome recent tendency to attach the 'terrorism' label to lots of events which have nothing to do with terrorism.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Prog...

Terrorism is no laughing matter but on the other hand it has been said it helps to laugh at what frightens you. There are lots of spy and intrigue novels, but what is it like to make them look and sound real if the author has no background in national security? Borealis talks to Terry Fallis, award-winning Canadian writer and author of the bestselling Operation Angus.A two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis is the author of eight national bestselling...

In the aftermath of 9/11 all the attention seemed to migrate to counter terrorism. That was a big change in the intelligence world where countering foreign spies had been the #1 task for decades. How has this shift affected the way intelligence services operate? Borealis has a discussion with veteran CSIS investigator Dan StantonDan Stanton served for thirty-two years with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, including twelve years as an Executive Manager in operations. Mr....

15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers were Saudi. A Saudi Air Force pilot who had joined AQ killed 3 US servicemen in Florida in December 2019. The Saudi Crown Prince orders the assassination of those he does not like. Borealis asks the question: is Saudi Arabia a desirable partner for the West when it comes to CT?Mentioned articles:►Survivors of the Pensacola terror attack speak out►Bin Salman has blood on his hands that refuses to be washed away►The Saudi Connection: Inside the 9/11 Case That Divided...

We see public safety and national security as largely federal or national responsibilities. And yet most of us are more connected with local officials - mayors and councilors. What role do they play in this? Borealis talks with Port Coquitlam (BC) Mayor Brad West about Chinese interference and influence peddling in Canada and other issues.► Read: 'I wanted to see that room empty': Mayor slams attendees of Chinese-funded receptionBrad lives in Port Coquitlam with his wife Bla...

In the wake of another mass school shooting in the US - this time in a city near Detroit - a 15-year old teen has been charged, among other things, with 'terrorism'. The rationale? He 'terrorised' the student population. Is this a good move? Borealis looks at the ever-expanding use of terrorism in very unnecessary ways.Mentioned articles:►Gurski: Why 'terrorism' shouldn't be in Canada's Criminal Code►The hypocrisy of America’s terror debate►Parents of Michigan school s...

Quick Hits #180 - Why is that some academics dislike practitioners? There are some who think practitioners have nothing to offer and should actually be ignored? Borealis looks at the problem from the perspective of a (former) intelligence practitioner.► Read Carleton criminology department cuts ties with police, prisonsAbout the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Te...

Canada is part of what is called the '5 eyes' intelligence sharing club (Australia, New Zealand, UK and US are other four members). How important is this? How is Canada viewed in this arrangement? Borealis talks with NSA veteran linguist Mark Ericson on these matters.Mark Ericson was a Japanese language analyst and foreign affairs officer with the National Security Agency who retired in 2017 after 37 years with NSA. Raised by missionary parents in Japan, he obtained his PhD ...

Quick Hits #179 - Joining a listed terrorist entity is illegal. And yet hundreds of Canadians have done so and some are now home... but have not been charged. What should we do with these cases? See also:►Canadian woman freed from ISIS detention camp reunites with daughter in Canada►Second Chance: Jailed Kazakh Islamic State Widow 'Optimistic' About Future►Listed Terrorist EntitiesAbout the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Cons...

With so much written about terrorism these days it is easy to forget that there is actual counter terrorism work to be done. Identifying terrorists, following them, interviewing them, stopping them - this is real CT work. Borealis talks with veteran FBI agent Brig Barker about his years helping to prevent terrorist attacks.Brig Barker is a proven counterterrorism agent/supervisor/senior level manager, with numerous extended deployments to the Middle East and Africa. 26 years of U....

What is the world of CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) all about? Many acronyms, many mandates, many claims. What is the reality of all this? Borealis is joined by Mike King.Mike King, a social psychologist working on violent extremism, radicalization, & CVE. Director of Research at Edmonton's Organization for the Prevention of Violence and an Adjunct Professor at University of Toronto .Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consult...

The facts are that most terrorist attacks in the world are carried out by Muslims and most victims are Muslim. Why, then, are many in the Islamic world in denial about these facts? Borealis is joined by UK activist and Sufi Muslim Ahmed Patel to talk about these issues.Ahmed Patel, the brother-in-law of the London 7/7 bomber Mohammed Siddique, is an excellent example of a British Muslim who stood up against religious radicalization. From an outside observer’s perspective, it...

Quick Hits #178 - Conspiracy theories are as old as time and most are utterly ridiculous. Those who suscribe to them are for the most part harmless. On rare occasions, a person will decide to act on them in a violent way. How serious is this threat? Borealis looks at the infamous 'Q' of QAnon to delve into this issue.See also:►Are end-of-Earthers and conspiracy theorists that dangerous?►America’s QAnon problem is infecting Canada. What should we do about it?►Years Afte...

There are so many voices out there when it comes to terrorism and what it all means. This makes it hard to know whom to talk and listen to. Borealis has a great talk with James Dorsey, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, a syndicated columnist and the author of the blo...

Quick Hits #177 - An ongoing UK inquiry into the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack in which 22 died and hundreds were injured is raising serious questions about what UK intelligence knew and when regarding this ISIS-inspired plot. Is the ensuing criticism fair? Borealis provides a former insider's perspective on how counter terrorism actually works.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director...

The movement of money around the world is dizzying. Not surprisingly, bad actors use these platforms to finance their operations. So what is being done about it? Borealis has an in-depth conversation with former RCMP officer and money laundering/terrorist financing specialist Archie Alafriz.Archie Alafriz is a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who served most of his career in the National Security Program. He is a threat finance (AML/CFT) specialist and a p...

How is the 'war on terrorism' going? What are we doing well? Not well? What are our moral obligations to those suffering under terrorist rule? Borealis President Phil Gurski talks with Conor to talk about this and more - have a listen! ►Watch Conor on YoutubePhil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development In...

Quick Hits #176 - Terrorists like to portray themselves as masterminds of violence. Some are pretty dumb.See also:►Top 10 Worst Terrorist Group Names►Top 10 Worst Right-Wing Extremism Group NamesAbout the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Cana...

Canada is a big county and when it comes to security there are multiple levels of jurisdiction: municipal, provincial, first nations and federal. How do all the players get along in the national security sandbox? Borealis has a fascinating discussion with Canadian Senator Vern White, former RCMP and Chief of Police in Durham and OttawaSenator White has worked with the RCMP, moving through the ranks from Constable to Assistant Commissioner. He has served in Newfoundland and Labrado...

Quick Hits #175 - The Matrix franchise has been around since 1999 and is a trilogy of very cool films. They are full of simulated violence in which humans are battling the machines which are using them to drain their lifeforce. Matrix Resurrections is coming out in December: what do the films tell us about terrorism and what happens when reality emulate art?►Read mentioned article: Red-pilled: Can The Matrix Resurrections reclaim Neo from the alt-right?►Watch video version on YoutubeAbout Phi...

Quick Hits #174 - There are those out there who want authorities to stop calling Islamist terrorism by that name. Alternatives include "faith-based terrorism" and "terrorists abusing religious motivations". In this Quick Hits podcast, Borealis argues why this is wrong-headed and counterproductive.►Read mentioned article: Police may drop ‘Islamist’ term when describing terror attacks►Watch video version: https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/why-what-we-call-terrorism-matters/About Phil Gurs...

When it comes to stopping terrorism all information should be used, right? It is not as simple as that. In order to charge a potential wrongdoer the data must be in the form of evidence, not intelligence. Borealis talks about these issues with 30-year Toronto police veteran Gavin Horner.Gavin Horner is a licenced Private Investigator for the province of Ontario. He works primarily in the Greater Toronto Area. He retired after 32½ years with the Toronto Police Service. ...

Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig touched down on Canadian soil on Saturday after being arbitrarily detained in China for 1020 days. As Canada celebrates the return of the “two Michaels,” it’s worth asking what this hostage diplomacy saga tells us about Canada-China relations and global affairs more broadly.►Listen to The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson About Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Securit...

Quick Hits 173 - Why do some academics try to tell national security professionals how to do their jobs? Is there no better way to manage this relationship? Borealis looks at the Acorn TV series Outlier to examine how 'town and gown' should work better.About Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute...

Is it possible to be an 'ex-jihadi'? How would we know? What about state-run efforts at 'de-radicalisation'? Borealis has a fascinating conversation with Jesse Morton, often described as the #1 Al Qaeda recruiter in the US in the mid 2000s and now very much involved in undermining Islamist terrorism.Jesse Morton was once a jihadist propagandist (then known as Younes Abdullah Muhammad) who ran Revolution Muslim, a New York City-based organization active in the 2000s tha...

Jeff Sammut was joined by president and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting and author Phil Gurski on Canada Now to talk about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, 20 years later.►Catch Jeff live weekdays from 1-3pmET on Sirius XM Canada Talks channel 167About Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He w...

Phil Gurski joins Destiny for his 4rth appearance on his livestream. They discuss Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover, the latest New Zealand attack, ISIS, Incels, Canada's mass graves and the January 6th Washington riots.►Follow Destiny on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC554eY5jNUfDq3yDOJYirOQPhil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Profession...

Quick Hits 172 - Afghanistan has fallen to the Taliban and already the fingers are being pointed at whose fault it was. Several have called this an 'intelligence failure'. Is it? Borealis weighs in on who 'lost' Afghanistan.Read more: https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/was-afghanistan-an-intelligence-failure/About Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the U...

On August 12, 22-year old Jake Davison killed his mother and four others (including a 3-year old girl) in Plymouth, UK, before taking his own life. Despite initial police statements that this was not a series of acts of terrorism the 'he was an incel' bandwagon got going fairly quickly. What we know does not, however, give much support to the theory. Phil Gurski is joined by the world's foremost authority on incels, Naama Kates, to look at this case and at more general issue...

Quick Hits 171 - The Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan two weeks before the U.S. and Joe Biden was set to complete its troop withdrawal following a costly two-decade war. Former CSIS intelligence veteran Phil Gurski looks at what we know and what’s next for Afghanistan.About Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Developme...

The last thing anyone wants to be told is that a loved one has been taken hostage by a criminal gang or terrorist group. What next? What can be done? Borealis talks to Rachel Briggs, former founder of Hostage UK and Hostage US on this fascinating issue!Rachel Briggs OBE is one of the world’s leading experts on international hostage taking. She was the first Director of Hostage UK and Founding Executive Director of Hostage US, non-profits that support hostages and their families.►F...

The home of the Nazi movement in the 1930s and 1940s now has a significant 'neo'-Nazi extremist movement in addition to problems with jihadis. Complicating things are 35 different security agencies. Borealis talks with ICRS's Peter Neumann to get the lowdown on what is happening there.About my guest Peter Neumann:Peter Neumann is Professor of Security Studies at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, and served as Founding Director of its International Centre for th...

We would all like to 'predict' the future, right? We generally can't but that does not mean we can construct and use scenarios to be better prepared for what is coming down the pipe. Borealis is joined by Minke Meijnders, instructor at the University of Ottawa's Security, Economics and Technology program to talk about the importance of these tools.►Link to Minke's course Strategic Foresight and National Security AnalysisAbout my guest Minke Meijnders:Minke Meijnders is an expert i...

Quick Hits 170 - No one seems to be able to agree on what terrorism is or is not and lots of people call all things terrorism that may not be. So, why not get rid of the term and charge suspects with (attempted) murder? Former CSIS analyst Phil Gurski weighs in on the benefits of doing so. See also: ► Dutch court convicts woman for spreading IS propaganda► Episode 100 - Borealis talks with American terrorism guru Brian Jenkins► Cancel Canada Day: Is the country going to hell in a handbas...

To commemorate the 100th podcast in the An Intelligent View of Terrorism/Canadian Intelligence Eh series Borealis President Phil Gurski is delighted to welcome back US terrorism specialist Brian Jenkins to answer a simple question: whither terrorism?About my guest Brian Michael Jenkins:Brian Michael Jenkins is a senior adviser to the president of the RAND Corporation and author of numerous books, reports, and articles on terrorism-related topics, including Will Terrorists Go Nuclear? (2008, P...

In recent years some have said that Islamist terrorism is a thing of the past. AQ, ISIS and others are not as dangerous as they once were and we can see this in the lower level of activity of late. Is this accurate? Borealis talks to former UK FCO official Suzanne Raine on why vigilance is the better strategy.Read What should we do when the terrorists go quiet?About my guest Suzanne Raine:Suzanne Raine worked for 24 years in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on foreign policy and nati...

Canada is an outlier in the Western world in not having a separate foreign intelligence devoted to HUMINT. The conversation sometimes comes up that maybe we should create one - but where and how? In this Quick Hits episode, former CSIS Intelligence Analyst Phil Gurski looks at what Canada should do in this regard. See also: ► I, spy: Does Canada need a foreign intelligence service? ► Can someone please tell me why Canada does not have a foreign intelligence service? ► How Canada makes a...

On June 6, 2021, a man rammed a pickup truck into Muslim Pakistani Canadian pedestrians at an intersection in London, Ontario, Canada. Four people were killed, and another was wounded; all were from the same family. The attack was the largest mass killing in London’s history.It was condemned by Canadian leaders, and called terrorism by Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and Premier of Ontario Doug Ford. The suspect is charged with four counts of ter...

Episode 98 - Spies and cops have related, but different, responsibilities. The former live in the shadows while they collect intelligence. The latter are more open as they collect evidence to lay charges and go to court. How do we square these two professions? Borealis is joined by former RCMP strategic analyst Angus Smith to discuss these and other issuesAbout my guest Angus Smith:Angus Smith worked in the Canadian intelligence community for 30 years, a career that in...

The man charged in an alleged hate-motivated attack that killed four family members in London laughed as police arrested him in a mall parking lot, a traumatized taxi driver who witnessed the arrest told his boss.Nathaniel Veltman, 20, of London is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the largest mass killing in city history, one police allege was motivated by anti-Muslim hate.When something happens of a catastrophic nature, like a murder, everyone wants to know why. We cannot f...

Most white nationalists hate Muslims (among other immigrants and races). Jihadis hate everything. So what can these two groups of extremists have in common? Phil Gurski talks with Dr Sara Kamali, author of the new book, Homegrown Hate Why White Nationalists and Militant Islamists Are Waging War against the United StatesAbout my guest Dr Sara KamaliDr Sara Kamali is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right in the UK and an expert with the Canadian Network for Research on...

Phil Gurski is President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting and a former CSIS analyst. He tells CityNews' Rob Snow not enough information is available yet to say with certainty the allegedly hate-motivated London vehicle attack was an act of terrorism.About Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute ...

Phil Gurski joins CBC's Ginella Massa to discuss the latest news about the Muslim family killed in targeted hit and run in London, Ontario.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, spec...

Quick Hits #167 - 4 people from the same family are dead and a fifth - a 9-year old boy - is wounded after a 20-yr old man in London (ON) ran them over on Sunday evening. Local police say it was deliberate, that the man targeted his victims because they were Muslim, and suggest terrorism charges may follow. Borealis unpacks murder, hate crime and terrorism under Canadian law as he discusses this cowardly act of violence.► Watch video version on YouTube► See also Muslims in London,...

Quick Hits 166 - The terms we elect to use to describe things have their purposes. When it comes to terrorism there is a movement to use generic words to refer to specific types of violent extremism. Borealis protests this simplification of language, calling it what it is (i.e. political correctness).► Watch video version on YouTube.► See also Coronavirus variants get Greek names — but will scientists use them?About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Th...

Canada is not normally seen as an intelligence powerhouse and is not blessed with the same intelligence 'culture' as some of its key allies (US and UK primarily). Who does intelligence analysis and how good is it? About my guest Greg Fyffe:Greg Fyffe was executive director of the Intelligence Assessment Secretariat in the Privy Council Office from 2000 to 2008. He is currently president of the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the Pr...

Quick Hits 165 - Intelligence agencies are usually associated with issues like terrorism and espionage. They can tell us the 'inside story' on a whole host of things, when their information goes public. What about their ability to tell us about the origins of COVID? Borealis weighs in on US President Biden's call upon US intel agencies to get to the bottom of this.Watch video version on YouTubeSee also Covid: Biden orders investigation into virus origin as lab leak theory debatedAbout t...

At a time where the only news about police offices and law enforcement agencies seems to be negative it is time for a more balanced approach. Borealis talks to 30-year RCMP veteran Ben Maure about Canada's international policing missions.Check out Ben's book Leading at the Edge: True Tales from Canadian Police in Peacebuilding and Peacekeeping Missions Around the World PaperbackAbout my guest Ben Maure:Ben Maure is a serving Peace Officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He has o...

An ongoing court case in the US threatens to expose counter terrorism secrets with Saudi Arabia. In order to send a message to Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, known as MBS or 'Mister Bone Saw', these secrets may have to be disclosed. Borealis asks whether we in the West should deal with a royal who sends assassins abroad.See also:Video: Is Saudi Arabia sending hit squads to Canada? | Al TredennickArticle: MBS’s lawsuit against a Saudi spy threatens to spill secrets. The U.S. is consid...

Ever since 9/11 many are obsessed with terrorism and have disproportionate fear of more events of this nature. Is this a healthy attitude? Borealis talks to Canadian sociologist Frank Furedi on these and other matters.About my guest, sociologist Frank Furedi:Frank Furedi is a Hungarian-Canadian academic and emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent. He is well known for his work on sociology of fear, education, therapy culture, paranoid parenting and sociolog...

Everyone seems to have an opinion these days on terrorism these days. Who should you listen to, especially when it comes to the current 'moral panic' over right wing terrorism? Borealis weighs in on this, advising us all to just chill a bit.Watch video version on Youtube.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional...

I am often asked by younger listeners how to get a career as a spy. In this episode, I am chatting with Matthew Zegar, computer science student at Simon Fraser University about how to get a career aiding the Canadian government against terrorist threats.►Click here to find out more about my guest Matthew Zegar►Listen to Matthew Zegar's Career Path PodcastAbout the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security...

We all know that tens of thousands of people from over 100 countries went to join ISIS in 2014. The feeder nations are all over the map (literally!) but the #1 per capita was…Trinidad. Trinidad? Phil Gurski talks with UK scholar Simon Cottee who just published a book on this fascinating finding.Click here to find out more about my guest Simon Cottee!Black Flags of the Caribbean, How Trinidad Became an ISIS HotspotSimon Cottee investigates how ISIS came to gain such an unlikely, yet significan...

Terrorism is violent for sure. But why are some terrorists, i.e. Islamist ones, so utterly cruel and inhuman? Former CSIS intelligence veteran Phil Gurski weighs in on this while discussing a recent interview with Canadian historian Margaret MacMillanWatch video version on Youtube.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottaw...

Politics is a nasty business and not for the faint of heart. Still there are rules and some practices should be off base. African governments say that opposition leaders are terrorists to prevent them from running for office. Borealis weighs in on this in today’s Quick Hits.Watch video version on Youtube.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the Univers...

Why is China harassing Canadian Uyghurs and why is the government not doing anything to stop it? The Canadian Parliament recently voted to denounce China for its genocide in East Turkestan (what China calls Xinjiang) against the Uyghurs. And yet China is still harassing Uyghur Canadians and pressuring them to shut up. Why is more not being done to stop this? Borealis President Phil Gurski talks to Kayum Masimov, Project Manager at Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project. Click here to find out more ab...

It is safe to say that most people would avoid being anywhere near a terrorist attack. Some, however, seem to have a fascination with these events to the point where they distort their own experiences. Borealis weighs in on this curious phenomenon.Watch video version on Youtube.New York Time article: Port Authority Bomber Is Sentenced to Life in Prison.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for th...

Belgium is not normally a nation one associates with terrorism. And yet, a number of large-scale attacks unfolded in the 2010s in which dozens were killed. How does someone who does not work in counter terrorism view these events? Borealis has a fascinating talk with Louisa Rogers on these issues.Click here to find out more about my guest Louisa Rogers!About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director ...

Watch video version on Youtube.Afghanistan has often been called the ‘graveyard of empires’. Over the past 20 years it has also been at the forefront of the ill-named ‘war on terrorism’. What can we do – if anything – to get out of that nation and consider ourselves ‘safer’?About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional De...

In Iron Man 3 we were introduced to a not so convincing 'terrorist' called the Mandarin: I gave that part of the film a two thumbs down. Now Marvel is coming out with another attempt in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Do the producers do any better this time? Have a listen as former CSIS intelligence analyst Phil Gurski gives his review!About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for t...

Watch video version on YouTubeIron Man 3 is all about terrorism, odd for a Marvel film. Oddly, however, the writers chose to portray a Chinese-looking leader as the spokesperson for what looks for all intents and purposes like a bunch of jihadis. Borealis weighs in on what this film gets right and what it gets wrong when it comes to terrorism.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics ...

Terrorism has been around for a long time but we have been especially captivated by it since 9/11. At first, EVERYTHING was terrorism, more so if it could be tied to Islam. Now, the far right seems to be the flavour of the month. What's up?About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institu...

In the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s the predominant form of terrorism was Irish in nature. Those who wanted a unitary Irish state fought those who wanted to remain part of the UK, often with tragic results. With the Good Friday Accords of 1998 that is all over - or is it? Phil Gurski talks with Irish analyst Lorcan Owens on the potential for future violence on the Emerald Isle.►Find out more about my guest Lorcan Owens►Listen to Lorcan's podcast Nazra: Politics, Society and Extre...

The 2018 Marvel film Black Panther is a truly spectacular movie that features black actors and culture. And yet one of the main characters resorts to terrorism to right historical wrongs. Why would the producers do this? Borealis President Phil Gurski reviews Black Panther from a practitioner’s perspective.See also: Intelligence Veteran Reviews - Iron Man (2008)Intelligence Veteran Reviews - Captain Marvel (2019)Intelligence Veteran Reviews - Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)Intellig...

For those who missed the live-stream on March 16, here is a replay of my latest discussion with Youtube personality Destiny (Steven Bonnell).►Follow Destiny on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC554eY5jNUfDq3yDOJYirOQWhen it comes to talking about terrorism it is not enough to limit the discussion to specific terrorist groups or terrorist acts. Things are much more complicated than that. Terrorism does not occur in a vacuum: it exists in a context (or better: multiple contexts). Terro...

ASIO to avoid ‘left’, ‘right’ and ‘Islamic’ in an overhaul of its descriptions of extremism. There is a movement afoot to change the way we talk about terrorism. Instead of 'Islamist extremism' we get 'ideologically-motivated extremism' or 'religiously-motivated extremism'. Necessary coinage or political correctness?About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) h...

Bond films are exciting, fast-paced and fun to watch. But how accurate are they and does it matter that they are not? Former CSIS intelligence analyst Phil Gurski gives his own review of this latest offering. The new James Bond film No Time to Die - is this what spies really do?Watch video version on YoutubeAbout the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub...

Relations with a country like Saudi Arabia will always be complicated in light of what the Kingdom stands for, what it produces, and where it is located. So, if the Saudis send a hit squad to Canada to take out a 'dissident' what should our response be? Borealis talks with colleague and friend Al Treddenick on this touchy subjectAbout my guest Al Treddenick:Alan Treddenick is a former senior Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) officer who was stationed at the Canadian em...

It is becoming clearer that, at least in some ways, Africa is supplanting the traditional Asia (including the Middle East) as the locus of jihadi terrorism. What should we do about it?About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Securi...

Everywhere you turn you come across an ‘expert’. This happens in national security as well. But are these people REALLY experts? Borealis takes issue with the term and provides some background on his experience in national security to provide followers with context.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development...

Chris Lewis served as a police officer for 36 years and ended up as the Commissioner of the OPP. Now he acts as a national security analyst on Canadian television. Phil Gurski talks to him about his career and about ‘experts’ in the media.About my guest Chris Lewis:Chris D. Lewis became Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on August 1, 2010 assuming leadership of one of North America’s largest deployed police services. As Commissioner, he oversaw front-line policing, traffic an...

Two more mass shootings recently took place in the US - one in Atlanta and one in Georgia - making 103 since Jan 1 of this year. The motives for either are unclear according to police, and yet some are already labeling both terrorism: white nationalist in the first case and Islamist in the second. Borealis takes issue with this constant 'instant analysis'.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for...

Have you heard of the term 'gaslighting'? Did you know it comes from a 1944 Ingrid Bergman film. Discover how a movie about a manipulative husband gave us a new word to describe information control in the 2020s.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior str...

La France vient de promulguer une loi pour protéger la laïcité et combattre le séparatisme, mais certains y voient une loi contre l’Islam. Quel est l’ampleur de la menace extrémiste en France et que prévoir pour les années à venir? Phil Gurski discute avec Alexandre Rodde, chercheur Français et consultant en sécurité intérieure.About my guest Alexandre Rodde:Alexandre is a security consultant specialised in terrorism and mass shootings. His work includes risk assessment, threat mon...

A recent Norwegian series called Wisting looked at a serial killer and a joint FBI/local police investigation. Borealis reviews the series looking at two main issues: the link between serial killing and terrorism, and what happens when multinational forces have to collaborate to solve a case.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of ...

About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation.►Subscribe - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/subscribe/►Webs...

In the 2016 Marvel film Captain America: Winter Soldier the evil HYDRA has created a super (bad) soldier called the Winter Soldier who kills a bunch of people. But is he a terrorist? Borealis looks at the film from a security intelligence perspectiveIntelligence Veteran Reacts | Marvel's Iron Man (2008) and the "War on Terrorism"; Intelligence Veteran Reacts | Captain Marvel (2019) and Lessons on Terrorism; Intelligence Veteran Reacts | Extremism and Radicalisation: Is JOKER a Ter...

A small group of reactionary terrorists known as the Black Clad took over the Old Bailey Courthouse, taking several hostages including a school field trip. Wonder Woman storms the building, uses the Lasso of Hestia to compel one of the terrorists to tell her their plans. She then takes out the terrorists and neutralizes the bomb. Is that realistic?About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Econo...