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Perspectives

Is CSIS a den of racism and Islamophobia? No, but…

Ever since Michelle Shephard of the Toronto Star broke the news of a $35 million lawsuit by 5 CSIS employees I have agonised over what to write and even whether to write about this issue.  I turned down several requests for interviews from major Canadian TV networks and a few radio stations since I did […]

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Perspectives

CSIS and the courts at loggerheads?

These past couple of months have not been good for Canada’s spy service.  First, the Federal Court ruled that CSIS has been negligent in informing it of a programme whereby it ‘illegally kept’ data (which it had collected legally under warrant) on Canadians.  Then there is the criticism that the Service shared questions with the […]

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Perspectives

Why the US needs a CSIS for counter terrorism

I know for sure that this blog is going to raise some hackles, especially among my US friends and colleagues.  Why?  Because I am going to argue that the current US counter terrorism architecture is inadequate to deal with the threat and needs a serious overhaul.  The solution I am proposing, however, will go against […]

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Perspectives

CSIS and disruption

CSIS Director Michel Coulombe appeared before the Senate National Security and Defence Committee today and stated that his organisation has used its new disruption powers over twenty times since 2015.   This measure was controversial when introduced by the former Conservative government and is still seen by some as too strong for a service that […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

What to do with the ‘ISIS kids’?

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 […]

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Podcast Spies Like Us

ISIS isn’t was-was, it still is is

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 […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Al Shabaab remains a serious threat to Somalia

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. […]

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Podcast Spies Like Us

Canada’s fraudulent immigration removal system ‘Rana’ amok!

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 […]

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Podcast Quick Hits

Left hand/right hand when it comes to foreign interference in Canada?

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 […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Where do ‘new’ terrorist groups come from?

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 […]