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Phil in the media Podcast

The war on terror in Afghanisatan: Lessons in counterterrorism policy

Phil was invited to the Realpolitik podcast. Listen to this chat on the war on terror and lessons in counterterrorism policy

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Perspectives

Is all fair in love and counterterrorism?

How far do we expect or allow national security agencies to go in stopping violent extremism?

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Perspectives

When is Terrorism not Terrorism? When the CBC says it isn’t

This piece first appeared in The Bureau on August 28, 2026. Of all the terms in the English language that have led to arguments over what exactly they mean, terrorism has to be at or near the top. Phrases such as “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter,” the tendency of dictators to call […]

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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Was the war in Afghanistan worth it?

Episode 348 – Twenty years in Afghanistan and the Taliban are back in power I am not a military specialist but I am aware of the great Prussian strategist Carl von Clausewitz. Among his many famous statements were this gem: “War is the realm of uncertainty; three quarters of the factors on which action is […]

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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

Forget Taliban 2.0! How about Afghan jihad 2.0?

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 […]

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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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Canadian Intelligence Eh! Podcast

Overseas conflicts often lead to threats here

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, […]

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Podcast Quick Hits

Does Toronto Police need its own counter-terrorism unit?

Quick Hits Episode 272 – Who should be responsible for counter-terrorism in Canada? In a surprise announcement on March 24, the Chief of Toronto Police, Myron Demkiw, stated that his force would create a “standalone” counter-terrorism unit. Recent attacks against the US Consulate in Toronto and several Jewish institutions in the city, likely linked to […]

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Podcast Spies Like Us

For the sake of the FBI and the US, Patel should ‘kash’ out

SLU Season 3 Episode 11: “Bongo and Kash” – the buddy cop film with low ratings While Al is AWOL – didn’t he just get back from vacation? – Neil and Phil fill (!) in ably and are joined by former FBI Agent Lauren Anderson to talk about what the heck if happening at the […]