Borealis Threat & Risk Consulting
In this podcast, retired Canadian intelligence analyst Phil Gurski discusses the subject of terrorism: what it is (and isn’t), trends, developments and more. Author of six books on terrorism, Phil is not shy to wade into controversial matters and provide his perspective honed from more than three decades in intelligence.
Episode 337 – what do we gain from adding more and more to the list of terrorism types? Of late there have been many attempts – some successful some not – to add more groups to lists of terrorist entities. Those behind such efforts may have good intentions, although I suspect some are just trying […]
Episode 336 – How do we manage needed immigration with needed security? As a country of immigrants by definition, most Canadians have a positive view on newcomers. I would imagine that the public believes that the proper checks are done to ensure – where possible – we are not importing threats to national security and […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Episode 329 – How easy is it to create a terrorist group? You would think the world already has enough terrorist groups. While jihadi ones like Al Qaeda and Islamic State – and their affiliates, provinces and wannabes – predominate, there are others out there as well. And in what is an interesting development, new […]
Episode 328 – Violence abroad rarely stays abroad Well, the world is in a state these days, isn’t it? War in Iran. War in Gaza. War in Lebanon. Closure of the Straits of Hormuz. An ongoing civil war in Yemen. And that is just the Middle East! When it comes to terrorism in the West, […]