Kashmir has been a place of contention ever since the British Raj split into India and Pakistan in 1947. It seems to be getting worse and there is enough blame on both sides to go around. Borealis talks to Farhana Qazi of GWU to get the inside scoop About the guest, Farhana Qazi : Farhana Qazi is an American scholar, an award-winning author, and an international public speaker. Her research includes conflicts in the Muslim world, women in war, and strategic communications. ►LinkedIn - https://ww...
Aug 04, 2020•34 min•Season 3Ep. 52
A recent report states that there are an unprecedented number of terrorists in European prisons. What kinds of threat do they pose? What should we do with them? Borealis weighs in on this issue in this Quick Hits podcast. For some terrorists, prison is a place for radicalisation and recruitment, in which inmates with no previous involvement in politically motivated violence can be exposed to extremist ideas – often at particularly vulnerable points in their lives. For others, it is as an ‘incuba...
Jul 26, 2020•9 min
Have you ever heard of the 'wave theory' of terrorism? If so, then you know David Rapoport, a retired UCLA professor who has been studying terrorism since 1970! Borealis caught up with him recently for a fascinating chat. Have a listen! Read more about David's ''Wave Theory of Terrorism": https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/religious-terrorism-over-by-2025-a-discussion-with-legendary-david-rapoport/ About the guest, David Rapoport: David Charles Rapoport is a Professor Emeritus of Political Scienc...
Jul 25, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 52
A report submitted to the UK parliament claims that British, and Western, intelligence agencies cannot combat “ online psychological operations from foreign state actors — primarily Russia — aiming to influence Western politics on a mass scale “. Why can’t they? Borealis looks at this in his latest Quick Hit podcast. Read more - British report into Russian meddling leads to uncomfortable conclusions About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting ...
Jul 23, 2020•10 min
Following the successful killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, the terrorist organisation was leaderless for a while. No longer. A guy called Mawla the 'Destroyer' has now assumed the helm. What is in store for ISIS going forward? Listen also to Episode 22 - The death of Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi and its impact (if any) 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) hu...
Jul 22, 2020•9 min
What would a person who has been thinking and writing about terrorism for fifty years have to say about this phenomenon? A lot as it turns out. Borealis has a lengthy exchange with Rand Corporation's Brian Jenkins, a true pioneer in the study of violent extremism. ABOUT THE GUEST BRIAN JENKINS Brian Michael Jenkins is a senior adviser to the president of the RAND Corporation and author of numerous books, reports, and articles on terrorism-related topics, including Will Terrorists Go Nuclear? . H...
Jul 21, 2020•37 min•Season 3Ep. 51
China is involved in what can only be called a ‘genocide’ in the northwestern part of its territory against Uyghur Muslims. Concentration camps, forced sterilisation, cultural destruction… it is all done in the name of ‘counter terrorism’. And yet the world’s Muslims leaders remain silent. Why? Listen as Borealis weighs in. Sources : ► Reporter’s Notebook: Uighurs Held For ‘Extremist Thoughts’ They Didn’t Know They Had ► Sterilizations, IUDs, and Mandatory Birth Control: The CCP’s Campaign to Su...
Jul 20, 2020•9 min
CSIS has been taken to task by the Federal court in Canada for displaying 'a cavalier institutional approach' to the rule of law'. What it did was to use human sources who posed as supportive of terrorism in counter terrorism investigations. Why is this a surprise to anyone? Borealis weighs in on this issue. 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 Unive...
Jul 17, 2020•10 min
In honour of Bastille Day! The French revolution is 231 years old today and yet is still a work in progress. So is the ill-named 'war on terrorism' now about to enter its 20th season. Borealis weighs in on how to measure gains and how to better go about fighting terrorism. 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 Devel...
Jul 14, 2020•10 min
The Muslim Brotherhood has had its share of controversy. Some countries have listed it as a terrorist organisation and others have not. How worried should we in the West be about the Muslim Brotherhood? Borealis talks to Lorenzo Vidino, specialist on the Muslim Brotherhood in the West. About the guest Lorenzo Vidino: Dr. Lorenzo Vidino is the Director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University. An expert on Islamism in Europe and North America, his research over the past 20 year...
Jul 14, 2020•31 min•Ep. 50
Should convicted terrorists get a second chance? Do they really 'see the light' and reject the ideology which led them to become terrorists in the first place? I weigh in on a Canadian case in this short podcast. A former member of a terrorist group that plotted truck bombings in Toronto to protest Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan is appealing a government decision to place him on the no-fly list. Read Former member of Toronto 18 terrorist group asks court to take him off no-fly list Abo...
Jul 10, 2020•10 min
What is happening in Iran and how worried should we be about that nation? Is it a state sponsor of terrorism more dangerous than Sunni jihadis? Have a listen to my talk with the host of Atheist Republic, Armin Navabi. Follow Armin Navabi ►YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAtheistRepublic ►TWITTER - https://twitter.com/AtheistRepublic 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...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 49
Lots of nations are agonising over what to do with citizens who joined ISIS or other terrorist groups and now want to come home. Some say they should and should be charged or 'deprogrammed'. Others want them to stay away. Listen to this latest Quick Hits podcast to see where Borealis stands on this issue. Evidence in terrorism cases is proving difficult to find, while experts warn that the reintegration and rehabilitation of foreign fighters is an even greater challenge. Read: Balkan States Find...
Jul 07, 2020•10 min
Two interesting developments in two capitals. In Ottawa an armed man drives several thousand km to drive over the gates of Rideau Hall where the PM and family are living: motive unknown. In Washington DC, the President is told Russia is paying Taliban terrorists to kill US soldiers and does nothing. What does this tell is about intelligence and how it is used? About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Secu...
Jul 03, 2020•11 min
Happy 153rd birthday Canada - or is it? Canadians tend to undersell their achievements and today especially - if you read the CBC - the country is going to hell in a handbasket. It is time to push back against that myth, by looking at how safe a country we are, when it comes to terrorism. 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 Pr...
Jul 01, 2020•10 min
How do foreign policy decisions and terrorism intersect? Are we making good choices? Listen as I am joined by BigTibbs78 to discuss these issues and much more. In this episode: BigTibbs78, political streamer on Twitch and Phil Gurski , President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting . 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...
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 48
News that Russia is paying the Taliban to kill US military in Afghanistan came out this week. How big is this and what will the Trump Administration do in response? What does it mean for the 'war on terrorism'? The Trump administration has been deliberating for months about what to do about a stunning intelligence assessment. Read more: Russia Secretly Offered Afghan Militants Bounties to Kill U.S. Troops, Intelligence Says About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Th...
Jun 30, 2020•11 min
35 years ago today Air India flight 182 left the air traffic control radar off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people aboard. Canadian Sikh terrorists placed a bomb on board. Canadian security intelligence and law enforcement agencies were investigating these men but failed. It is a somber day in Canada. Read more: Today in Terrorism: Air India Flight 182 bombing (June 23, 1985) About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Progra...
Jun 23, 2020•10 min
If you recall, about 5 months ago, I joined Destiny (Steven Bonnell) during his live stream . He invited me back for another discussion. The genesis was a conversation I wanted to have about why we are not seeing terrorism in the West during the COVID-19 pandemic. Have a listen! It’s about 45 minutes in lenght. Wide-ranging topics, I’m sure you’ll love it ►Follow Destiny on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC554eY5jNUfDq3yDOJYirOQ When it comes to talking about terrorism it is not enough...
Jun 23, 2020•56 min•Season 3Ep. 47
Canadians are supposedly really active on right wing extremism websites. How worried should we be that these will translate into terrorist attacks? Are our protectors looking at this menace? Read Canadians among most active in online right-wing extremism, research finds on CBC.ca 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 Professiona...
Jun 19, 2020•14 min
Canada just lost a vote to gain a seat on the UN Security Council. Some critics say this shows our foreign policy is all wrong. Is it? How do Canada's intelligence agencies meet the country's foreign intel priorities? Jean-Christophe Boucher: Canada's failed Security Council bid marks the death of our traditional 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 (S...
Jun 19, 2020•11 min
Lots of terrorist cases never go to trial or, when they do, terrorists are acquitted. This is very frustrating for the men and women who work diligently to keep us safe. Is there a better way to prosecute terrorism? Have a listen as I weigh in on this matter. 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 Institu...
Jun 19, 2020•12 min
Nadir reveals an unexpected truth. Kerima prepares to deal the final blow. Fatima fulfills her end of the bargain with Pervin - at a price. How realist is the depiction of ISIS in this first season of the Caliphate series? In this podcast, intelligence veteran and terrorism specialist Phil Gurski reviews Netflix Caliphate . 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...
Jun 19, 2020•15 min
When it comes to Islamist terrorism most people think of the Middle East or Asia. However, one of the hotspots is Africa the entire continent. Borealis looks at terrorism in Africa: who is who, what they have been up to and what the future prospects are. 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 (P...
Jun 16, 2020•26 min•Season 3Ep. 46
The intersection between violent extremism and music in light of the Rage Against The Machine story. Music means a lot for people. It can inspire us, make us sad, happy and sometimes it can be tied to political and religious extremism. Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello took to social media on Tuesday (June 9) to hilariously school an angry fan who apparently just learned the band makes a political statement with its music. About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of...
Jun 13, 2020•9 min
Fatima is still on the run, and she knows that Nadir is on her trail. Calle and Suleiman managed to stop Sulle and Kerima at the border, but Lisha was left behind in the van and is on her way to Raqqa all alone. Calle calls Fatima in panic and demands that she and her contacts help get Lisha out. Pervin is devastated by the fight with Husam. But she doesn’t hesitate when she gets another chance to flee Raqqa. How realist is the depiction of ISIS in the Caliphate series? In this podcast, intellig...
Jun 12, 2020•12 min
In the 1950s, some religious leaders were behind a campaign to ban shorts in public. Today that would be seen as an extreme move. What is it about religious extremism that in the worst case scenario turns violent? Check out Phil's latest book When Religion Kills: How Extremists Justify Violence Through Faith (2019) . Christian fundamentalists. Hindu nationalists. Islamic jihadists. Buddhist militants. Jewish extremists. Members of these and other religious groups have committed horrific acts of ...
Jun 10, 2020•10 min
Raising kids is a challenge and our children do things that drive us crazy! Imagine if your child ended up leaving home to join a terrorist group and died fighting for ISIS. That is what happened to Damian Clairmont. His mother, Christianne Boudreau, joins Borealis to talk about what she went through as well as how she is trying to help parents in similar situations. In this episode, Christianne Boudreau, Co-Founder of Mothers for Life and Phil Gurski , President and CEO of Borealis Threat and R...
Jun 09, 2020•37 min•Season 3Ep. 45
The French military claims it has killed Abdelmalek Droukdel, the leader of the Al Qaeda terrorist affiliate AQIM in North Africa. This is indeed good news but does it mean the end of AQIM? How important is the death of a terrorist group's leader? https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/quick-hits-french-forces-kill-al-qaedas-north-africa-chief-abdelmalek-droukdel/ Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Te...
Jun 06, 2020•10 min
Fatima runs surveillance on Nadir to see if he can lead her to information that will confirm her suspicions. Fatima has arranged Pervin's escape from Syria. When Pervin is on her way to the meeting place, the police take her. Ibbe has given Sulle and Kerima plane tickets to Syria. They are overjoyed, now they can finally go. But it turns out that everything isn't as easy as they thought. How realist is the depiction of ISIS in the Caliphate series? In this podcast, intelligence veteran and terro...
Jun 04, 2020•15 min
