Borealis Threat & Risk ConsultingPhil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. Phil is a 32-year veteran of CSE and CSIS and the author of six books on terrorism.
Episode 335 – A new handbook helps practitioners better understand terrorism If you were to ask the average person about terrorists you would probably hear that the consensus is that there is strong underlying mental illness. Is this true (hint: no)? What, then, can psychologists and other academics do to help counter terrorism professionals identify […]
Episode 334 – Is the world stumbling into a remake of the terrorist safe haven that led to 9/11? After the horror of 9/11 it was logical – and completely justifiable – to go after those behind the attacks. As it turned out, the group responsible – Al Qaeda (AQ) – was based in Afghanistan […]
Episode 333 – Is it wise to see an ‘ex’ jihadi as the best hope for Syria? Hip hip hooray for Syria! The hated Assad regime is done, hopefully for ever. The country could enter a new era – fingers crossed – but the new leader is a man who is a ?former? terrorist, Ahmed […]
Season 3 Episode 26 – Hardcat is Hard to kick out! To prove that three old guys – ok, in Neil’s case old-ish – are with it and hip with technology we go video this week! You can actually hear AND see us – how cool is that? Phil learns that the Shanghai sweetheart on […]
Episode 332 – With the US/Israel and Iran at war, a party that gets along with everyone is indispensable I am fairly certain that most people have either never heard of Oman or could not find it on a map. This small sultanate does not garner many headlines but is, oddly enough, one of the […]
Episode 331 – Children of terrorists need special attention Adults who choose freely to join terrorist groups such as ISIS have made dumb decisions and these decisions have led to serious consequences. One of those consequences is subsequent arrest and incarceration for what they did and I imagine most people have no issue with treating […]
Season 3 Episode 25 – Don’t blame me for joining ISIS; blame the missus As Phil sips on a “Lumbersexual” IPA – whatever that means – and jet-lagged Al is barely comatose (and Neil is, well, Neil) – the lads weigh in on why should NOT bring ISIS terrorists home, including those who go to […]
Episode 330 – Government pronouncements on counter-terrorism success need to be taken with a grain of salt When it comes to terrorism, some groups are simply more successful than others. There are those which skyrocket to fame only to wither and disappear: the FLQ in Canada in the 1960s and early 1970s comes to mind. […]
Season 3 Episode 24 – Hey Gorka! Canadian (foot)balls are bigger than US (foot)balls! With Al’s triumphant return from wherever he was – don’t ask, don’t tell! – the lads weigh in on Canada’s joke of a citizenship removal system despite obvious fraud and terrorism links, the US counter-terrorism ?strategy? that somehow missed all the […]
Quick Hits Episode 276 – Is the Alberta referendum on separation open to influence from outside powers or not? Canada is sorrily used to talk of separation. We went through two referendums (referenda? neverendums?) on Quebec independence in the 1980s and 1990s and are now faced with a possible vote to split in Alberta. That […]