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Perspectives

The implications of the US-Canada tiff for national security

This piece appeared in The Hill Times on June 25, 2018 Canada and the US cooperate on many issues in many forums: the G7 (even with last week’s horror show thanks to the US President), the G20, the UN as well as a whole host of international bodies, in addition to numerous bilateral councils and […]

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Perspectives

The implications of Brexit for national security

In the run-up to the British referendum on whether to stay in the European Union or not there were many dire predictions on how a leave vote would effect the United Kingdom.  We are already seeing significant economic fallout and the weeks and months to follow will likely bring more negative consequences in the political […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Does Antifa actually exist?

Episode 356 – We do NOT need more terrorist group listings! In its never-ending quest to spread the terrorist listing wealth, the Trump Administration has made some odd moves of late. First, there was the decision to call drug cartels ‘terrorists’, despite the unfortunate reality that they are not terrorist groups but rather criminal organisations. […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Victims of terrorism need to be heard

Episode 352 – The effects of terrorist attacks do not stop in the days following the event We have all seen terrorist incidents unfolding before our very eyes, even if it is in the form of newscasts. Take 9/11, for instance. It is hard – if not impossible – to forget the image of fully-laden […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

National security through the lens of journalism

Episode 350 – Why mainstream media is an important window on national security National security is one of those sectors that is normally shrouded in secrecy and that is frustrating to many. Spy agencies do their jobs in the shadows and don’t disclose much but there is a need to know. Some of the gaps […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Are pirates a threat to national security?

Episode 338 – Pirates can help terrorist groups – we need to pay more attention to this The stereotypical view of pirates is undoubtedly heavily influenced by Hollywood. These depictions do not show the very violent actions carried out by pirates. Despite international treaties that define this phenomenon it does get the attention it deserves, […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Why psychology and terrorism are linked

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 […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Why is the Canadian government ignoring national security in the Arctic?

Episode 320 – Will Canada’s true north finally be strong…and free? Canada proudly proclaims that it is the ‘Great White North’, a reference to our long border with the Arctic (and sometimes interminable winters – like this one!). But does it really treat the region as a national security priority (it did during the Cold […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

What is the role of a foreign ministry in national security?

Episode 307 – Can diplomats play a key part in intelligence gathering? When we think of intelligence we normally go to spy agencies, be they those which run human sources, collect signals, or do surveillance (on the ground or in the air/space). And yet the people we send abroad as diplomats have access to a […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Have we entered the era of ‘violent populism’?

Episode 298 – Violence on the right and left is rising in the US: what can be done about it? When it comes to language there are lots of opposites: black and white, up and down, in and out, right and left. The latter terms are often thrown around when talking about political movements (and […]