Canadian Intelligence Eh

Phil Gurski

Everywhere you look these days terrorism and violent extremism dominate the headlines. Whether you follow what is happening in Afghanistan or Iraq, or in the West writ large, we are inundated with news of attacks by groups and individuals fighting for a 'cause'.In a world of multiple voices and opinions it can be very hard to know where to turn. One choice is to look to those who actually worked in counterterrorism in the national security world. In these half-hour podcasts 30-year Canadian intelligence veteran Phil Gurski is joined by a fascinating array of individuals with something meaningful to say about these issues as they provide insight into what they mean and what we need to do about them.

  1. Episode #133 - What can ordinary citizens do to stop radicalisation to violence?

    2022-03-31

    Episode #133 - What can ordinary citizens do to stop radicalisation to violence?

    When an arrest is made in a terrorism case or, worst case scenario, we are doing a post-analysis of an attack, we often read about a person's 'radicalisation process'.  The assumption is that terrorists are made, not born, and that there are signs to look for before it is too late.  Borealis talks to Executive Director Myrieme Churchill of Parents4peace, an organisation that aims to help families identify and deal with these cases Myrieme Churchill is the Executive Director of Parents for Peace. She has over 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist, working in variety of settings and with a range of populations in Europe and the U.S. Beginning her career in France, she intervened with first and second-generation North African immigrant sex workers on the streets of Marseille and facilitated group therapy in a juvenile detention center in Nice. Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation. ►Check Phil's latest book ''The Peaceable Kingdom'' - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/the-peaceable-kingdom/ ►Website - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/ ►Twitter - https://twitter.com/borealissaves ►LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-gurski-8942468/ ►Email - borealisrisk@gmail.com

    24 min
  2. Episode #132 - Anders Breivik: What to do with terrorist mass murderers behind bars?

    2022-03-23

    Episode #132 - Anders Breivik: What to do with terrorist mass murderers behind bars?

    There are two types of terrorists: those who die/are killed in their attacks and those who are not.  The latter usually end up in prison for long periods of time.  Then what?  Borealis talks once again with Norwegian CT analyst Atle Mesoy on the infamous Anders Breivik case from 2011. ►Listen to my previous podcast with Atle Mesoy: Episode #126 - Is it time to revisit the mental illness/terrorism nexus? Atle Mesoy is the founder of U-Turn, an Oslo-based NGO working to prevent violent extremism. U-Turn is based on research and fieldwork within terrorism and political violence and consists of experts from different backgrounds providing a holistic and critical approach to CVE (Countering Violent Extremism). Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation. ►Check Phil's latest book ''The Peaceable Kingdom'' - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/the-peaceable-kingdom/ ►Website - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/ ►Twitter - https://twitter.com/borealissaves ►LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-gurski-8942468/ ►Email - borealisrisk@gmail.com

    23 min
  3. Episode #130 - Should Canada bring back ISIS fighters for prosecution here?

    2022-03-09

    Episode #130 - Should Canada bring back ISIS fighters for prosecution here?

    Some 40,000 ISIS terrorists joined the group in the mid-2010s from over 100 nations, including Canada.  Many are still alive, some languishing in prisons or camps, including women and children.  There are those lobbying for their return to their homelands: is this wise?  Borealis has a conversation with Dr. Alexandra Bain, a religious studies prof at St Thomas University in New Brunswick. CORRECTION: Dr Bain noted that a returned female ISIS terrorist has been charged and will appear in court in March; In fact she has not yet been charged. Dr. Alexandra Bain is an associate professor teaching Islamic studies at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick.  Dr. Bain was co-founder of Families Against Violent Extremism (FAVE) a Canadian non-profit organization whose goal is to help stop the spread of groups such as ISIS by working with their families. Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation. ►Check Phil's latest book ''The Peaceable Kingdom'' - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/the-peaceable-kingdom/ ►Website - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/ ►Twitter - https://twitter.com/borealissaves ►LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-gurski-8942468/ ►Email - borealisrisk@gmail.com

    28 min
  4. Quick Hits | Who wants to work in national security?

    2022-03-02

    Quick Hits | Who wants to work in national security?

    Borealis has a conversation with Jennifer Benmenashe in Montreal on why she wants to gain a position on national security with the Canadian government. About the guest Jennifer Benmenashe: After completing her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto in History, Political Science and Religion, Jennifer Lauren continued her studies at King’s College London, UK, where she has just completed her Master’s degree in Intelligence and International Security. She has continued to engage in her research interests namely: the Taliban and its ability to retain power, conflict and human rights in the MENA region, and the recruitment of women into terrorist organizations. Jennifer’s focus lies in counterterrorism and human rights as well as in international security and American foreign policy. About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation. ►Check Phil's latest book ''The Peaceable Kingdom'' - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/the-peaceable-kingdom/ ►Website - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/ ►Twitter - https://twitter.com/borealissaves ►LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-gurski-8942468/ ►Email - borealisrisk@gmail.com

    7 min
4.6
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Everywhere you look these days terrorism and violent extremism dominate the headlines. Whether you follow what is happening in Afghanistan or Iraq, or in the West writ large, we are inundated with news of attacks by groups and individuals fighting for a 'cause'.In a world of multiple voices and opinions it can be very hard to know where to turn. One choice is to look to those who actually worked in counterterrorism in the national security world. In these half-hour podcasts 30-year Canadian intelligence veteran Phil Gurski is joined by a fascinating array of individuals with something meaningful to say about these issues as they provide insight into what they mean and what we need to do about them.

You Might Also Like