Categories
Perspectives

What role, if any, will security issues play in the 2019 election campaign?

I constantly hear the accusation that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ‘soft on terrorism’. Where are people getting this idea? How many examples do you want?

Categories
Perspectives

What if we can’t prosecute returning terrorist ‘foreign fighters?

A version of this piece appeared in the Globe and Mail online on September 25, 2019. In much of the debate over what to do with ‘Jihadi Jack’, who is now all ours thanks to the UK decision to revoke his citizenship, a lot of arguments for and against repatriation were made. One of the […]

Categories
Perspectives

Are some Canadians ‘useful idiots’ when it comes to terrorism?

PLEASE! Before you excoriate me and engage in ad hominem attacks based on the title of this blog – not that I have not been subject to both before! – read to the end. Then, if you still think I am a knuckle-dragging troglodyte have at ‘er. Shortly after the creation of the Soviet Union […]

Categories
Perspectives

What should parents do when their son becomes a terrorist?

As some of you may know, I am a grandfather (yes, I am THAT old!). I have an almost 2-year old grandson and, duh!, he is the most perfect grandchild. Ever. In the history of the planet. Of that there is no doubt and I should know since I am his grandfather. What is that […]

Categories
Perspectives

Condemn the terrorist but pity the mother and father

It is pretty tough, and rightfully so, to feel sorry for those who think becoming a terrorist is a good idea. These are choices made and bad choices sometimes have bad consequences. Those who recognise this realise that there is a price to pay for making a stupid decision. Then again there are those who say ‘hate […]

Categories
Perspectives

Condemn the terrorist but pity the mother and father

It is pretty tough, and rightfully so, to feel sorry for those who think becoming a terrorist is a good idea.  These are choices made and bad choices sometimes have bad consequences.  Those who recognise this realise that there is a price to pay for making a stupid decision. Then again there are those who […]

Categories
Perspectives

No, Prime Minister, we do not have an obligation to repatriate terrorists

I am a parent (and now even a grandparent – how the hell did I get THIS old?).  As a parent I helped to raise three children, all of whom are now young adults. As all parents know, our kids do (or did) things we had a problem with and there were times when we […]

Categories
Perspectives

What to do when your child runs away to become a terrorist

As a parent I know what it is like to worry about my kids.  I still worry about them, even though they are all in their twenties and doing very well, since that is what being a parent is all about.  After all, you want what is best for them, even when they do really […]

Categories
Perspectives

Global Terrorism This Week – August 1-7, 2022

Terrorism around the globe for the week of August 1-7, 2022: again dominated by Islamist terrorist groups and individuals.

Categories
Perspectives

Once a terrorist, always a terrorist? The conundrum of parole

What level of risk are we willing to take when it comes to releasing those convicted of terrorism and who may re-offend?