A review of Caliphate – Episode 1
Security Service agent Fatima’s career is in trouble after a serious mistake. But…
Phil Gurski | 2020
Starting in 2014, the terrorist group known as ISIS launched its version of the ‘Caliphate’ in parts of Iraq and Syria – a state run by Islamic law. Conditions were brutal and barbaric punishments were meted out for minor offences. Many lived in fear.
How realistic is the depiction of ISIS in Caliphate? In this podcast, 30-year intelligence veteran and terrorism specialist Phil Gurski reviews this Netflix series.
Security Service agent Fatima’s career is in trouble after a serious mistake. But…
Fatima is going to help bring Pervin home from Syria, but she has…
Fatima tries to convince her chief at the Security Service of the seriousness…
Ahmed, the colleague of Husam, is reported missing and Husam believes he has…
Dolores calls Fatima with very upsetting information. Fatima is afraid that her phone…
Fatima runs surveillance on Nadir to see if he can lead her to…
Calle calls Fatima in panic and demands that she and her contacts help…
How realist is the depiction of ISIS in this first season of the…
The Swedish series Caliphate is getting a lot of attention. It is the story of ISIS and a planned attack in Sweden and the local intelligence effort to stop it. Here is an unofficial ‘review’ by a 30-year intelligence veteran and terrorism specialist.
Starting in 2014, the terrorist group known as ISIS launched its version of the ‘Caliphate’ in parts of Iraq and Syria – a state run by Islamic law. Conditions were brutal and barbaric punishments were meted out for minor offences. Many lived in fear. Thousands from western countries left to join ISIS, despite the fact that everyone knew it was a terrorist group. Some were enthusiastic supporters: others had a change of heart once they got there.
All this is historical and well documented. Now we can relive those days via the Netflix production ‘Caliphate’. This Swedish production began airing in 2020 and follows events in Sweden and Iraq as several Swedes have left their homeland to join ISIS and SAEPO, the Swedish security service, is trying to keep tabs on threats. Throw into the mix an alleged ISIS bomb plot in Sweden and you have all the makings of a cliffhanger series!
Join Borealis as we walk through each episode and discuss what happened. We will look at how accurate the fictional depiction is, all seen through the lens of a 32-year Canadian intelligence veteran and author of six books on terrorism.
If the ins and outs of terrorism, extremism, national security and public safety are of interest to you, this website is a must. Register to receive more content from former Canadian intelligence analyst and author Phil Gurski on these issues.
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