Shows
Canadian Intelligence Eh"There has been hints and warnings" - Intelligence veteran remembers 9/11, 20 years laterJeff 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 worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from...2021-09-0936 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | When Afghanistan fell to the TalibanQuick 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 Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at C...2021-08-3013 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | What if we stopped charging people with terrorism?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 handbasket?About Phil Gu...2021-07-0112 min
Canadian Intelligence EhEpisode #100: Borealis talks with American terrorism guru Brian JenkinsTo 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, Prometheus Books). He formerly served as chair of the Political Science Department at RAND. Find out more about my...2021-06-3048 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Yes, Canada needs a foreign intelligence service, but does it want one?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 huge contribution to policin...2021-06-2212 min
Canadian Intelligence EhLondon truck attack: 2 weeks later, what do we know now?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 terroristic murder and one count of terroristic attempted murder....2021-06-2119 min
Canadian Intelligence EhEpisode #97: Sara Kamali on what jihadis and white nationalists have in commonMost 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 Terrorism, Security and Society...2021-06-0937 min
Canadian Intelligence EhToo early to say if London vehicle attack was terrorismPhil 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 (PDI). He worked as a se...2021-06-0811 min
Canadian Intelligence Eh"We don't know the facts yet" - Former CSIS Strategic Analyst on the Ontario truck attackPhil 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, specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation.►Check Phil's latest book ''The Peaceable King...2021-06-0806 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQH #162 | Why are jihadis so barbaric?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 Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Cana...2021-04-2909 minCanadian Intelligence EhIntelligence Veteran Reacts - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings TrailerIn 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 the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at...2021-04-2005 minCanadian Intelligence EhIntelligence Veteran Reviews - Black PantherThe 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)Intelligence Veteran Reviews - Extremism and Radicalisation: Is JOKER a Terrorist?About the ho...2021-04-1311 minCanadian Intelligence EhEpisode #86: Chris Lewis - From cop to commentatorChris 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 and marine operations, emergency response and specialized and multijurisdictional investigations throughout the Provin...2021-03-3133 minCanadian Intelligence EhEpisode #85: Alexandre Rodde - Analyse de la menace extremiste en FranceLa 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 monitoring, and research on national security subjects...2021-03-2425 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Entrapment laws: Destiny stunned by massive difference between Canada and the USAPhil Gurski and Destiny discuss the RCMP 'entrapment' of B.C. couple in the Canada Day Bomb Plot and the differences between entrapment laws in Canada vs the USA.►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). Terrorism happens when multiple players make mu...2021-03-1808 minCanadian Intelligence EhQH #129 | Can we be more consistent in our use of language when talking about terrorism?Headlines are the first thing we see when we consume news. They thus help us form a first impression. Should they then not be carefully written? Borealis looks at this issue in the context of RWE and the US military.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 2001-20...2021-01-1909 minCanadian Intelligence EhQH #128 | No, the Capitol riot was not an 'intelligence failure'Security intelligence agencies are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Stop an act of violence from happening and they are called overbearing: fail to do so and they are called incompentent. In this podcast Borealis pushes back that the US intelligence community 'failed' on January 6.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 an...2021-01-1511 min
Canadian Intelligence EhINTERVIEW | Former CSIS Analyst: Once inside the Capitol, it was like a frat partyTerrorism specialist Phil Gurski tells Canada Now more about who exactly the protestors were in Washington, US law enforcement agencies' response, whether we can expect more of the same moving forward and what lessons can be learned coming out of all this. Canada Now with Jeff Sammut is live weekdays from 12-2pmET on Sirius XM Canada Talks channel 167.►Listen to yesterday's episode What the hell happened in Washington today?About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Pr...2021-01-0811 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQH #123 | Nashville explosion: Do conspiracy theories constitute an 'ideology'?In the wake of information that the Christmas Day Nashville bomber believed in conspiracy theories, including the conviction that world leaders are actually extraterrestrial 'lizard people', does this now make his act one of terrorism? Borealis weighs in on this new info and whether the bomber was treated differently because he was white.Read more on this topic:►Nashville explosion: Just what do we mean by ‘terrorism’? | Phil Gurski►The Nashville explosion is looking more and more like a spectacular suicide, not an act of terrorism | Phil Gurski►Subscribe - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/subscribe/2021-01-0512 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQH #122 | The Nashville explosion is looking more and more like a spectacular suicide, not an act of terrorismAs we impatiently wait for more details on what happened in Nashville on Christmas Day we are now aware that the perpetrator said the world would never forget him. Does that make him a terrorist? Probably not. Borealis looks at serious acts of violence, including 'suicide bombings', that are not terrorist in nature.Mentionned articles:Sometimes an explosion is just an explosion by Phil GurskiWhat we know about the 63-year-old Nashville bomber on CNNsimoncottee.orgDying Without Killing: Self‐Immolations, 1963–2002 by Diego GambettaAbout the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the Pres...2021-01-0113 min
Canadian Intelligence EhINTERVIEW | Architect of Toronto 18 terror plot granted "day parole"This past Tuesday, an architect of an extraordinary Toronto 18 terrorism plot to detonate truck bombs in the city’s downtown core was granted day parole. And the outcome of the three hour parole hearing went against the recommendation of the Correctional Service of Canada.Libby Znaimer is joined by Phil Gurski, President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consultants as well as a former strategic analyst at CSIS, and Andrew House, Counsel and co-lead for the National Security Group at Fasken LLP. Andrew had carriage of the Anti-Terrorism file for the federal Attorney General in 2006 when th...2020-12-1116 min
Canadian Intelligence EhINTERVIEW | Does the Vienna attack signal a new wave of jihadist terrorism?An attack in Vienna has resulted in four people dead and a 20 year old extremist killed by police. What is the latest in this situation and what do we know? Phil Gurski, President & CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting joins the Bill Kelly Show to discuss the latest developments in this story.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 wo...2020-11-0415 min
Canadian Intelligence EhINTERVIEW | 5 dead, including suspect with ‘Islamist motive,’ after shooting in ViennaFour people have been killed and 22 injured in an attack in a busy area of Vienna, Austria, on Monday evening. The country's interior minister and chancellor called the shooting an "Islamist terror attack." Phil Gurski joins Supriya Dwivedi & guest host Greg Brady on 640 Toronto's Morning Show.Please support the podcast by sharing this episode with your contacts.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...2020-11-0310 minCanadian Intelligence EhAn overall look at what terrorism means in a conversation with David PakmanPhil Gurski, Canadian intelligence veteran, author on five books about terrorism, and hosts of the podcast "An Intelligent Look at Terrorism," joins David to discuss the sources of terror, the war on terror, and much more.About my guest David Pakman:The David Pakman Show (TDPS) is a multi-platform politics and news talk show currently airing on television, radio, and the Internet, hosted by David Pakman. The focus of the show is modern North American politics and society, with frequent discussion of economics, science, religion in public life, culture, reason, gay rights, capital...2020-09-2217 minCanadian Intelligence EhLiam Duffy - Is the 'war on terrorism' turning into a 'war on words'?It is no secret that there is consensus on what terrorism means. Today the confusion is growing as more and more crimes are being called 'terrorism' in nature. What does this all mean? UK researcher and former PREVENT officer Liam Duffy joins Borealis in the discussion.About my guest Liam Duffy:Liam is a Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) specialist and Director of SINCE 9/11, a London-based educational charity which aims to create a legacy of hope from the tragedy of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Liam and Tom joined forces and formed...2020-09-1548 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Why governments cannot dictate to spiesIntelligence agencies exist to provide the best information possible to those who run the country. They are given general requirements, hunt for the information, and package it up for their clients. In this they must be able to act independently.Borealis weighs in on a report that the Trump Administration told its spies not to report on Russia and right-wing extremism.Related articles:►D.H.S. Downplayed Threats From Russia and White Supremacists, Whistle-Blower Says►Al Qaeda’s Franchise RebootAbout the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the Pr...2020-09-1410 min
Canadian Intelligence EhLessons on Terrorism | 365 Days in Terrorism: What have we learned?An idea hatched over a beer one year ago today led to the ‘Today in Terrorism‘ series. How has that first year been? Are there lessons from the past for us today? Borealis reflects on 365 terrorist attacks over history, one for each calendar day.►Read my daily blog Today in terrorismAbout 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 a...2020-09-1109 minCanadian Intelligence EhForensic psychiatrist Peter Collins: Is there a link between mental illness and terrorism?When you read about an act of violence do you immediately assume that the perpetrator is mentally ill? What about terrorism? What is the link? Borealis talks to Canadian forensic psychiatrist Peter Collins to shed light on these issues.About my guest Peter Collins:Peter Collins is the Operational Forensic Psychiatrist with the Criminal Behaviour Analysis Section of the OPP and an Associate Professor with the Division of Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of...2020-09-0835 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Putting a nail in the ‘self-radicalisation’ coffinGiven the enormous interest in all things terrorism we are inundated with so-called ‘expertise’. Except a lot of experts are not experts. Take the term ‘self-radicalisation’: it is a myth. Two recent cases illustrate why radicalisers are so important.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, specializi...2020-09-0709 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | How do we distinguish between 'freedom fighters' and 'terrorists'?The Fenians were Irish Americans seeking to put pressure on Britain to free Ireland and hence could be seen as 'freedom fighters'. Except that they carried out attacks in Canada and assassinated one of the leaders of Canadian independence. So, are they terrorists instead? Borealis dives into the neverending debate of freedom fighter vs terrorist.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 (PD...2020-09-0410 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Charlie Hebdo: The free speech/terrorism conundrumThe rights we fought to have over centuries are worth protecting: but what if they feed terrorism?An interesting trial is about to open this week in France. It will cover those responsible for the 2015 ‘Charlie Hebdo’ terrorist attacks in which twelve people were killed by the brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi over the journal’s decision to publish the ‘Muhammad cartoons’ (images deemed offensive by some). The brothers were in turn killed by French police and it is their accomplices who will stand trial.►Read The free speech/terrorism conundrumAbout the host Phi...2020-09-0205 minCanadian Intelligence EhCommunity awareness as counter terrorism: a conversation with Kamran BhattiHow can security intelligence and law enforcement agencies and communities work better together? Can they have meaningful exchanges to help keep us all safe? Borealis is joined by Kamran Bhatti, a youth outreach worker within Muslim communities in Canada to discuss these issues.About my guest Kamran Bhatti:Kamran Bhatti is a Canadian Muslim community leader and former head of a youth program in the Hamilton area.About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme...2020-09-011h 33
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Our continuing struggle with war analogies and terrorism“War is not healthy for children and other living things” or so said the anti-Vietnam War slogan. We have used wars to 'resolve' things for millennia, seldom with good results. So why do many insist we are at 'war' with terrorism? Borealis discusses our need for a new paradigm.►Buy Phil's book An End to the War on TerrorismAbout 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 Ott...2020-09-0109 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Yet another Canadian couple charged with seeking to join ISISISIS was very good at producing propaganda to entice Westerners to leave their countries and join up in the mid 2010s. That was when not much was known about how violent they were. So how can a Toronto-area couple who sought to join in 2019 not have known about the true nature of this terrorist bunch? Borealis looks at this breaking news.►Yet another Canadian couple charged with seeking to join ISIS - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/yet-another-canadian-couple-charged-with-seeking-to-join-isis/About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Co...2020-08-2808 minCanadian Intelligence EhNancy Yammout: Talking to terrorists in Lebanese prisonsWhat do we do once we try, convict, sentence and incarcerate terrorists? Leave them there or try to get them to abandon their views? Phil Gurski talks to Nancy Yammout, a Lebanese woman who goes into prisons to see if she can make a difference.About the guest Nancy YammoutNancy and Maya Yamout, also known as the "Mulan Sisters" or the "Kamikaze Sisters," are social workers active in Beirut, Lebanon and internationally as the president and vice president of Rescue Me - Crime Prevention.Rescue Me is...2020-08-2536 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Should we be worried about ecoterrorism?When we read and hear about terrorism where does your mind go? Most probably to the world of Islamist terrorism/jihadism since the vast majority of attacks can be traced to them. What about environmental terrorism? Is this on the horizon? Borealis weighs on on the reality of this form of violent extremism.►Should we be worried about ecoterrorism? - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/quick-hits-65-ecoterrorism/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 (SE...2020-08-2410 min
Canadian Intelligence EhLessons on Terrorism | My review of the Know Your History Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War trailerBorealis weighs in on the latest Know Your History Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War trailer and discusses his own experiences working in intelligence during the Cold War. What can this trailer tell us about the threats we in the West face today, ranging from foreign espionage to foreign interference to terrorism? Can a ‘game’ help us understand these?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 Prof...2020-08-2205 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | The new tactic driving terrorismHow complicated does a terrorist act have to be? Do terrorists have to master complicated technologies to achieve their ends? No, all it takes is a car. Borealis weighs in on vehicular ramming attacks.Using a car or truck as a weapon isn’t unique to 2020. A 2018 report from San Jose State University’s Mineta Transportation Institute identified vehicle ramming as an increasingly common terrorism tactic. ISIS and Al Qaeda, in particular, encourage followers to drive into unsuspecting pedestrians. The rationale is as simple as it is ruthless: Obtaining a car is easier (and less likely to rais...2020-08-2209 minCanadian Intelligence EhI married an extremist: My life with Hizb-ut-TahrirWhat would you do if you came to realise that the group your spouse was part of was one that undermined liberal democracy? And wanted to establish an Islamic State? Borealis talks to a Canadian who found herself in this situation and what she decided to do.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 CS...2020-08-1823 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | When academics get it wrong...Should criminology students do placements with law enforcement institutions? Their professors apparently don't think so.Security studies are not surprisingly very popular with academics in part because they are sexy. But sometimes academics get it very wrong and make some very stupid decisions based on some kind of 'principle'. Borealis weighs in on a move by Carleton University's Institute of Criminology to end cooperation with law enforcement in Canada.► See also: Arguing against the claim that I am anti-academic (Youtube)About the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CE...2020-08-1308 minCanadian Intelligence EhDavid Wilson: When Irish terrorists posed a real threat to... Canada!How many of you have ever heard of the Fenian threat to Canada? Yes, there was a terrorist movement in the 1860s that threatened Canada and killed one of the 'fathers' of Confederation in 1868. University of Toronto's David Wilson joins Borealis to talk about this forgotten violent chapter of Canadian history.About the guest, David Wilson:With a background in modern North Atlantic history, David A. Wilson specializes in Modern Irish History and the Irish in North America. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical...2020-08-1139 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | It is high time to cancel 'cancel culture'Debate is the backbone of democratic society. Reasoned, civil exchanges of ideas is what we must protect. Unfortunately, there is a movement to stifle debate and silence voices (or get them fired). Borealis weighs in on this phenomenon.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 vi...2020-08-1011 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Is it ok for one nation to send a hit squad to another?News has just come out that Saudi Arabia sent a hit squad to Canada to kill former counter terrorism officer Saad al-Jabri. Saudi has a history of this, having killed Washington Post reporter and dissident Jamal Kashoggi in Istanbul in October 2018. What should Canada do in reponse? Borealis weighs in.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 st...2020-08-0809 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Beirut explosion: When is a terrorist attack not a terrorist attack?The explosion yesterday in Beirut that killed hundreds and wounded thousands sure looks like a terrorist attack. All indications point to this being a tragic accident. What does this say about our reaction to events of this nature? https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/subscribe/A large blast in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, has killed at least 70 people and injured more than 4,000 others, the health minister says. Videos show smoke billowing from a fire, then a mushroom cloud following the blast at the city's port. Officials are blaming highly explosive materials stored in a warehouse for six years.2020-08-0508 minCanadian Intelligence EhFarhana Qazi: What to do about Kashmir when both sides are a problem?Kashmir has been a place of contention ever since the British Raj split into India and Pakistan in 1947. It seems to be getting worse and there is enough blame on both sides to go around. Borealis talks to Farhana Qazi of GWU to get the inside scoopAbout the guest, Farhana Qazi :Farhana Qazi is an American scholar, an award-winning author, and an international public speaker. Her research includes conflicts in the Muslim world, women in war, and strategic communications.►LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhanaqazi/ About the...2020-08-0434 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Unprecedented number of terrorists in European prisonsA recent report states that there are an unprecedented number of terrorists in European prisons. What kinds of threat do they pose? What should we do with them? Borealis weighs in on this issue in this Quick Hits podcast.For some terrorists, prison is a place for radicalisation and recruitment, in which inmates with no previous involvement in politically motivated violence can be exposed to extremist ideas – often at particularly vulnerable points in their lives. For others, it is as an ‘incubator of peaceful change and transformation’, enabling de‑radicalisation, disengagement, and – in some cases – entire peace processes. R...2020-07-2608 min
Canadian Intelligence EhMy chat with UCLA professor David RapoportHave you ever heard of the 'wave theory' of terrorism? If so, then you know David Rapoport, a retired UCLA professor who has been studying terrorism since 1970! Borealis caught up with him recently for a fascinating chat. Have a listen!Read more about David's ''Wave Theory of Terrorism": https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/religious-terrorism-over-by-2025-a-discussion-with-legendary-david-rapoport/About the guest, David Rapoport:David Charles Rapoport is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at University of California, Los Angeles who focuses on the study of terrorism. He taught the first course on terrorism in the U.S. a...2020-07-2521 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | How do intelligence agencies stop Russian spying?A report submitted to the UK parliament claims that British, and Western, intelligence agencies cannot combat “online psychological operations from foreign state actors — primarily Russia — aiming to influence Western politics on a mass scale“. Why can’t they? Borealis looks at this in his latest Quick Hit podcast.Read more - British report into Russian meddling leads to uncomfortable conclusionsAbout 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’...2020-07-2310 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Al Mawla: What will the new ISIS leader do?Following the successful killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, the terrorist organisation was leaderless for a while. No longer. A guy called Mawla the 'Destroyer' has now assumed the helm. What is in store for ISIS going forward?Listen also to Episode 22 - The death of Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi and its impact (if any)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 Pr...2020-07-2209 min
Canadian Intelligence EhTalking terrorism with veteran US observer and practitioner Brian JenkinsWhat would a person who has been thinking and writing about terrorism for fifty years have to say about this phenomenon? A lot as it turns out. Borealis has a lengthy exchange with Rand Corporation's Brian Jenkins, a true pioneer in the study of violent extremism.ABOUT THE GUEST BRIAN JENKINSBrian 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?. He formerly served as chair of the Political Science Department at RAND. On...2020-07-2137 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Why Islamic leaders remain silent about China’s internment camps for Uyghur MuslimsChina is involved in what can only be called a ‘genocide’ in the northwestern part of its territory against Uyghur Muslims.Concentration camps, forced sterilisation, cultural destruction… it is all done in the name of ‘counter terrorism’. And yet the world’s Muslims leaders remain silent. Why? Listen as Borealis weighs in.Sources:►Reporter’s Notebook: Uighurs Held For ‘Extremist Thoughts’ They Didn’t Know They Had ►Sterilizations, IUDs, and Mandatory Birth Control: The CCP’s Campaign to Suppress Uyghur Birth Rates in XinjiangAbout the host Phil Gurski:Phil...2020-07-2009 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | CSIS used information collected via illegal activities to get counter-terrorism warrantsCSIS has been taken to task by the Federal court in Canada for displaying 'a cavalier institutional approach' to the rule of law'. What it did was to use human sources who posed as supportive of terrorism in counter terrorism investigations. Why is this a surprise to anyone? Borealis weighs in on this issue.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 wo...2020-07-1709 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | The French Revolution and the War on Terrorism - The jury is still outIn honour of Bastille Day! The French revolution is 231 years old today and yet is still a work in progress. So is the ill-named 'war on terrorism' now about to enter its 20th season. Borealis weighs in on how to measure gains and how to better go about fighting 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 and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior st...2020-07-1510 min
Canadian Intelligence EhLorenzo Vidino on how worried we should be about the Muslim BrotherhoodThe Muslim Brotherhood has had its share of controversy. Some countries have listed it as a terrorist organisation and others have not. How worried should we in the West be about the Muslim Brotherhood?Borealis talks to Lorenzo Vidino, specialist on the Muslim Brotherhood in the West.About the guest Lorenzo Vidino:Dr. Lorenzo Vidino is the Director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University. An expert on Islamism in Europe and North America, his research over the past 20 years has focused on the mobilization dynamics of jihadist networks in...2020-07-1431 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Former Toronto 18 terrorist group member Saad Gaya asks to be removed from no-fly listShould convicted terrorists get a second chance? Do they really 'see the light' and reject the ideology which led them to become terrorists in the first place? I weigh in on a Canadian case in this short podcast.A former member of a terrorist group that plotted truck bombings in Toronto to protest Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan is appealing a government decision to place him on the no-fly list. Read Former member of Toronto 18 terrorist group asks court to take him off no-fly listAbout the host Phil Gurski:...2020-07-1010 minCanadian Intelligence EhEpisode 49 - Terrorism, Iran and Foreign Policy: A discussion with Atheist RepublicWhat is happening in Iran and how worried should we be about that nation? Is it a state sponsor of terrorism more dangerous than Sunni jihadis? Have a listen to my talk with the host of Atheist Republic, Armin Navabi.Follow Armin Navabi►YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAtheistRepublic►TWITTER - https://twitter.com/AtheistRepublicAbout 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 Otta...2020-07-071h 09
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | What to do with citizens who joined ISIS and now want to come home?Lots of nations are agonising over what to do with citizens who joined ISIS or other terrorist groups and now want to come home. Some say they should and should be charged or 'deprogrammed'. Others want them to stay away. Listen to this latest Quick Hits podcast to see where Borealis stands on this issue.Evidence in terrorism cases is proving difficult to find, while experts warn that the reintegration and rehabilitation of foreign fighters is an even greater challenge. Read: Balkan States Find Prosecuting Terrorism a ChallengeAbout the host Phil Gurski:2020-07-0709 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Armed suspect at Rideau Hall and Trump denies Russian bounty intelligenceTwo interesting developments in two capitals. In Ottawa an armed man drives several thousand km to drive over the gates of Rideau Hall where the PM and family are living: motive unknown. In Washington DC, the President is told Russia is paying Taliban terrorists to kill US soldiers and does nothing. What does this tell is about intelligence and how it is used?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...2020-07-0310 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Cancel Canada Day: Is the country going to hell in a handbasket?Happy 153rd birthday Canada - or is it? Canadians tend to undersell their achievements and today especially - if you read the CBC - the country is going to hell in a handbasket. It is time to push back against that myth, by looking at how safe a country we are, 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 and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PD...2020-07-0210 minCanadian Intelligence EhEpisode 48 - A discussion with James Tibbs on CSIS and Western Foreign PolicyHow do foreign policy decisions and terrorism intersect? Are we making good choices? Listen as I am joined by BigTibbs78 to discuss these issues and much more.In this episode: BigTibbs78, political streamer on Twitch and Phil Gurski, President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting.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 In...2020-06-301h 14
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Russia paying bounties for dead US soldiers?News that Russia is paying the Taliban to kill US military in Afghanistan came out this week. How big is this and what will the Trump Administration do in response? What does it mean for the 'war on terrorism'?The Trump administration has been deliberating for months about what to do about a stunning intelligence assessment.Read more: Russia Secretly Offered Afghan Militants Bounties to Kill U.S. Troops, Intelligence SaysAbout the host Phil Gurski:Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and...2020-06-3010 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits | Air India Flight 182: Canadian Security Intelligence and Law Enforcement Failed35 years ago today Air India flight 182 left the air traffic control radar off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people aboard. Canadian Sikh terrorists placed a bomb on board. Canadian security intelligence and law enforcement agencies were investigating these men but failed. It is a somber day in Canada.Read more: Today in Terrorism: Air India Flight 182 bombing (June 23, 1985)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...2020-06-2310 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits: Research finds Canadians among most active in online right-wing extremismCanadians are supposedly really active on right wing extremism websites. How worried should we be that these will translate into terrorist attacks? Are our protectors looking at this menace? Read Canadians among most active in online right-wing extremism, research finds on CBC.caAbout 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 Sec...2020-06-1914 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits: Does Canada's foreign policy need a redo?Canada just lost a vote to gain a seat on the UN Security Council. Some critics say this shows our foreign policy is all wrong. Is it? How do Canada's intelligence agencies meet the country's foreign intel priorities?Jean-Christophe Boucher: Canada's failed Security Council bid marks the death of our traditional foreign policyAbout 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...2020-06-1911 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits: A better way to prosecute terroristsLots of terrorist cases never go to trial or, when they do, terrorists are acquitted. This is very frustrating for the men and women who work diligently to keep us safe. Is there a better way to prosecute terrorism? Have a listen as I weigh in on this matter.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 ana...2020-06-1912 min
Canadian Intelligence EhIntelligence Veteran Reviews Caliphate Netflix Series - Episode 8 (Season Finale)Nadir reveals an unexpected truth. Kerima prepares to deal the final blow. Fatima fulfills her end of the bargain with Pervin - at a price.How realist is the depiction of ISIS in this first season of the Caliphate series? In this podcast, intelligence veteran and terrorism specialist Phil Gurski reviews Netflix Caliphate.Phil 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 Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior st...2020-06-1914 minCanadian Intelligence EhEpisode 46 - An Intelligent Look at Terrorism in AfricaWhen it comes to Islamist terrorism most people think of the Middle East or Asia. However, one of the hotspots is Africa the entire continent. Borealis looks at terrorism in Africa: who is who, what they have been up to and what the future prospects are.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 (Ca...2020-06-1626 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits: The intersection between violent extremism and music in light of the Rage Against The Machine storyThe intersection between violent extremism and music in light of the Rage Against The Machine story.Music means a lot for people. It can inspire us, make us sad, happy and sometimes it can be tied to political and religious extremism.Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello took to social media on Tuesday (June 9) to hilariously school an angry fan who apparently just learned the band makes a political statement with its music.About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk...2020-06-1309 min
Canadian Intelligence EhIntelligence Veteran Reviews Caliphate Netflix Series - Episode 7Fatima is still on the run, and she knows that Nadir is on her trail. Calle and Suleiman managed to stop Sulle and Kerima at the border, but Lisha was left behind in the van and is on her way to Raqqa all alone. Calle calls Fatima in panic and demands that she and her contacts help get Lisha out. Pervin is devastated by the fight with Husam. But she doesn’t hesitate when she gets another chance to flee Raqqa.How realist is the depiction of ISIS in the Caliphate series? In this podcast, intelligence veteran an...2020-06-1211 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits: Why Religious Extremism Turns Violent?In the 1950s, some religious leaders were behind a campaign to ban shorts in public. Today that would be seen as an extreme move. What is it about religious extremism that in the worst case scenario turns violent?Check out Phil's latest book When Religion Kills: How Extremists Justify Violence Through Faith (2019).Christian fundamentalists. Hindu nationalists. Islamic jihadists. Buddhist militants. Jewish extremists. Members of these and other religious groups have committed horrific acts of terrorist violence in recent decades. How is this possible? How do individuals use their religious b...2020-06-1010 min
Canadian Intelligence EhIntelligence Veteran Reviews Caliphate Netflix Series - Episode 6Fatima runs surveillance on Nadir to see if he can lead her to information that will confirm her suspicions. Fatima has arranged Pervin's escape from Syria. When Pervin is on her way to the meeting place, the police take her. Ibbe has given Sulle and Kerima plane tickets to Syria. They are overjoyed, now they can finally go. But it turns out that everything isn't as easy as they thought.How realist is the depiction of ISIS in the Caliphate series? In this podcast, intelligence veteran and terrorism specialist Phil Gurski reviews Netflix Caliphate....2020-06-0414 min
Canadian Intelligence EhIntelligence Veteran Reviews Caliphate Netflix Series - Episode 5Episode 5 of the Netflix series Caliphate begins with the brutal murder of Dolores after she has recognised that Ibbe is an ISIS terrorist. The various stories also continue and Ibbe now has his fertiliser for an attack in Sweden. How accurate is all this? You'll have to listen to find out!How realist is the depiction of ISIS in the Caliphate series? In this podcast, intelligence veteran and terrorism specialist Phil Gurski reviews Netflix Caliphate.Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for...2020-05-2710 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits: The 'War' on CoronavirusThe inevitable has happened - officials are calling for a 'war' on COVID-19. Wars on common nouns are NEVER good ideas. In this Quick Hits podcast, Phil explains why we must refrain from using military terminology during this crisis.The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving and governments are having a hard time keeping up with strategies to respond and react effectively to keep their citizenry safe. Some countries appeared to dismiss the seriousness of the virus for far too long, while others imposed what some felt were draconian measures (China, Singapore) that would not fly...2020-03-1709 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits: Coronavirus, Terrorism and FearThe coronavirus is causing a lot of fear and anxiety around the world and is starting to affect behaviour and choices. Is this rational? How does it compare to our fear and reaction to terrorism?The world is in a COVID-19 (Corona virus) panic. People are living in fear and cancelling events and travel. What, if any, are the parallels with terrorism?.The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving and governments are having a hard time keeping up with strategies to respond and react effectively to keep their citizenry safe. Some countries appeared to...2020-03-1010 minCanadian Intelligence EhEpisode 32 - Talking with Aaron Zelin about terrorism in Tunisia, heart of the democratic 'Arab Spring'The small North African nation of Tunisia was one of the largest sources of ISIS foreign fighters. Borealis speaks with Aaron Zelin, author of a new book on jihad in Tunisia to get some insights.Aaron Y. Zelin is the Richard Borow Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a visiting research scholar at Brandeis University. He is the author of the forthcoming book Your Sons Are At Your Service: Tunisia’s Missionaries of Jihad (Columbia University Press). Zelin is also the founder of the widely acclaimed and cited website Jihadology.ne...2020-03-0927 min
Canadian Intelligence EhQuick Hits: Have you ever witness an act of terrorism?How close have you been to a terrorist attack? Not too close I hope. This Quick Hits podcast looks at what it means to be near to one of these events.From my point of view, I have been tantalisingly close to 3 acts of terrorism (2 in Canada and 1 in France) in my career as an Intelligence Analyst with the Canadian Government.Please share your experience in the comment section below.> borealisthreatandrisk.com> Like this podcast? Check out Phil Gurski's latest books!> Read Phil's daily blog Today in Terrorism2020-03-0410 min