Ever since the Edward Snowden allegations the world has been up in arms about what governments, and especially their security and intelligence agencies, do or can do about information gathering. Snowden’s releases have convinced many that Big Brother is alive and well and that our privacy is gravely threatened. It is all too easy, say […]
Category: Perspectives
Twice in the last week I have read articles about the prevalence of right-wing extremism in Canada. A study by two Simon Fraser University students claimed that there are 100 such groups “active” in this country (see a story on that report here) while a column in The Hill Times on February 15 says that […]
A friend and colleague, Dr. Amar Amarasingam, has reported some disturbing news of late. Some of the young Canadian women who have gone to join Islamic State have given birth to babies in the self-styled “Caliphate”, in essence baby warriors (IS calls young mujahideen “lion cubs”, a reflection of its belief that jihadis are the […]
Anyone who has taken a serious look at individuals who radicalise to violence, or at least those who do so in accordance with the Al Qaeda or Islamic State narrative, know that trying to nail down a profile is pointless, for the simple reason that there is none. Regardless of the factor or data point […]
Categories
Lessons from an earlier war
I have just finished reading an incredible book on Sri Lanka – This Divided Island by Samanth Subramanian (St Martin’s Press 2014). The author spent months talking to people on the island as well as in the Sri Lankan diaspora in Canada and the UK about the various conflicts that have taken place over the […]
Categories
What should we worry about?
What threats and concerns should be at the top of Canadians’ lists? Well, according to interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose the answer is clear. It is Islamic State. The terrorist group, in her view, poses “the greatest threat to humanity” (I really need to support this statement with a citation otherwise people will think I […]
Categories
When is a war not a war?
The new Liberal government in Canada has been talking about terrorism quite a bit lately. We now have a decision on what Trudeau’s policy on Islamic State (IS) will be as well as a renewed – and much needed – emphasis on countering radicalisation in this country. And the Defence Minister, Harjit “bad-ass” Sajjan, has […]
Categories
CVE Down Under
I have just returned to Canada from two weeks in Australia where, in addition to soaring temperatures and seeing an actual platypus in the wild, I attended a Canada-Australia symposium on youth radicalisation held in Brisbane. The conference was organised by our High Commission in Canberra and I was honoured to be asked to give […]
Categories
The struggle for Islam’s soul
I just know that this blog is going to get me some flack. What in heaven’s name does a non-Muslim have to say that is remotely informed or relevant about Islam? What is an outsider doing commenting on the “soul of Islam”? Why doesn’t this person quit before he writes something stupid? Sidenote – my […]
I am fairly certain that many people are getting sick and tired of hearing about terrorism. IS this. AQ that. Some guys called Boko Haram. The Taliban. Etc. Etc. Etc. The so-called war on terror (a terrible description as I have said before) has been going on for 15 years or so. When will it […]