Episode 187 – When it comes to engaging kinetic counter terrorism agencies be careful whom you deal with
The news cycle has recently been full of stories about the Russian Wagner Group, especially since its late leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was ‘defenestrated’ from his private aircraft, probably at the order of Russian President Putin. The WG is a paramilitary bunch of mercenaries who have a vast presence in Africa, having been engaged by several governments to help with jihadi groups. Are these actors really effective at counter terrorism or are they involved in activities far removed from finding and killing terrorists? Borealis talks with Canadian CT practitioner Royce de Melo on this issue.
About my guest
Royce de Melo is a Canadian Middle East and Africa security consultant, analyst, and defence consultant, who works independently but also represents a small number of companies internationally. de Melo has worked and lived in the Middle East and Africa for more than 20 years. He also has experience in Central America. His time internationally has provided him with useful hands-on– and sometimes ‘School of Hard Knocks’—experiences that have given him valuable insights into matters related to terrorism, conflicts, regional politics, economics, security, the defence industry and human nature.
CANADIAN INTELLIGENCE EH!
In a world of multiple voices and opinions it can be very hard to know where to turn. One choice is to look to those who actually worked in counter-terrorism in the national security world. In these half-hour podcasts, 30-year Canadian intelligence veteran Phil Gurski is joined by a fascinating array of individuals with something meaningful to say about these issues as they provide insight into what they mean and what we need to do about them.
About Phil Gurski
Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Distinguished Fellow in National Security 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, specialising in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation. He is the author of six books on terrorism, including the most recent The Peaceable Kingdom: A history of terrorism in Canada from Confederation to the present.
