Episode 206 – What now for Afghanistan?
For most people Afghanistan was ‘discovered’ on 9/11 when we all learned that the terrorist group behind those attacks in the US, Al Qaeda (AQ), was based there. This horrific loss of life led to the US (and allied) invasion of the country in a mission to bring those behind the attacks to justice. It also led to the ouster of the Taliban regime and an attempt to usher in democracy. Two decades later, with the US gone and the Taliban back in power, what does all this mean?
About my guest
Behzad Hakim is the Engagement Coordinator at the NATO Association of Canada, responsible for educating individuals about the significance of the international rules-based order, the essence of democracy, and the importance of national security. His parents had fled Afghanistan during the civil war and subsequently Behzad founded the Ryerson University Afghan Association, a dedicated group opposing the Taliban regime and advocating for human rights.
The NATO Association of Canada (NAOC) strives to educate and engage Canadians about NATO and its goals of peace, prosperity and security. The NAOC ensures Canada has an informed citizenry able to participate in discussions about its role on the world stage.
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. 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.
