Everyone seems to think Western governments need to drop everything and bring back their terrorist citizens for prosecution/counselling. Those who think this way don't seem to have any idea what it takes to investigate and prosecute a returnee. Borealis weighs in, once again, on why this is a bad idea. ►Subscribe - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/subscribe/ About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Secur...
Nov 16, 2020•10 min
A man is decapitated and a world leader is asked what he thinks of it. Rather than denouncing it as a heinous act he referred to the danger of yelling 'fire' in a crowded theatre. The man in question is Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Borealis wonders why he was unable to do the right thing and simply reject terrorism. ►Subscribe - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/subscribe/ About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Program...
Nov 13, 2020•11 min
Episode 100! Administrations have to deal with a lot of things: the economy, trade, diplomacy, global warming... and terrorism. The latter is not as dangerous as many think it is but it cannot be ignored. What will a Biden presidency look like on this front? Borealis looks at this aspect of the term of the 46th US President. ►Subscribe - https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/subscribe/ About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme...
Nov 11, 2020•13 min
Can you find Mozambique on a map? Does this southeastern African nation come up often in your news feeds? What if you were to learn that a very dangerous Islamist terrorism campaign is taking place in northern Mozambique? Borealis talks to Jasmine Opperman, who knows a lot about what is happening there. About my guest, Jasmine Opperman Jasmine Opperman is a former Director of Africa Desk at Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium (TRAC). Jasmine’s areas of expertise include methodological r...
Nov 10, 2020•25 min•Season 3Ep. 67
Religious people are supposed to spread love and tolerance, not violence. So what do we do with those who advocate extremism and terrorism? Borealis has a look at 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 University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intellig...
Nov 09, 2020•10 min
In the wake of the terrorist attack in Vienna , we learned that the perpetrator was a wannabe ISIS fighter who was sent to prison. While there he went into a 'deradicalisation' program and told the organisers he had abandoned ISIS ideology, but went on to kill five people in downtown Vienna. What does this tell us about deradicalisation programs? Borealis looks at these efforts. About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Di...
Nov 06, 2020•11 min
An attack in Vienna has resulted in four people dead and a 20 year old extremist killed by police. What is the latest in this situation and what do we know? Phil Gurski, President & CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting joins the Bill Kelly Show to discuss the latest developments in this story. 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...
Nov 04, 2020•16 min
In the wake of an attack in Nice by an illegal Tunisian immigrant that North African country is facing a grave crisis. Thousands of Tunisians went to fight for ISIS and other terrorist groups and many more were prevented from doing so. Borealis discusses the nature of this problem in Tunisia. Please support the podcast by sharing this episode with your contacts. About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Se...
Nov 04, 2020•10 min
Four people have been killed and 22 injured in an attack in a busy area of Vienna, Austria, on Monday evening. The country's interior minister and chancellor called the shooting an "Islamist terror attack." Phil Gurski joins Supriya Dwivedi & guest host Greg Brady on 640 Toronto's Morning Show. Please support the podcast by sharing this episode with your contacts. About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for ...
Nov 03, 2020•11 min
If you are following what is happening in Afghanistan you will know two things: one, the US is engaged in 'peace talks' with Taliban terrorists and two, Taliban terrorists are continuing to kill on a daily basis. Should we talk 'peace' with terrorists? Borealis talks to a Canadian specialist on this issue, Kamran Bokhari. 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...
Nov 03, 2020•32 min•Season 3Ep. 66
The world has been shocked over the past few weeks over a series of knife attacks and beheadings in France, all of which appear to be terrroism related. So when two people are killed and five wounded by a man with a sword in Quebec City many assume it must be terrorism. But is it? Borealis weighs in on why we need to be careful before we jump to conclusions. About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Securi...
Nov 01, 2020•9 min
Canada has long benefitted from its membership in the so-called '5 eyes' intelligence sharing club. But when it comes to counter terrorism, the '5 eyes' are not enough. Borealis argues why it is crucial to share counter terrorism data widely with other intelligence partners. Read Should the Five Eyes Alliance be Expanded? by Greg Fyffe. Please support the podcast by sharing this episode with your contacts. About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Cons...
Oct 30, 2020•10 min
In the wake of heavy criticism by Muslim leaders over French President Macron's comments about Islam after a brutal beheading all fingers are pointed at France as the problem. Is it, or is the Muslim world in crisis? Borealis weighs in on this topic. Please support the podcast by sharing this episode to your contacts. 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...
Oct 29, 2020•20 min•Season 3Ep. 66
In the wake of a brutal beheading in France, that country's President Emmanuel Macron has called for a look at Islam in France. Saudi Arabia has responded that Islamist terrorism has nothing to do with Islam. Huh? Borealis looks at this issue in some depth. 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...
Oct 28, 2020•9 min
Everyone seems to want to talk about 'Right-Wing Extremism' or RWE these days. It is a nebulous term that seems to cover an awful lot of actors. Borealis talks to Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss of American University in Washington DC whose latest book HATE IN THE HOMELAND: the new global far right is now today! Have a listen to this fascinating discussion! About my guest Cynthia Miller-Idriss: Cynthia Miller-Idriss is an award-winning author and scholar of extremism and youth radicalization. She dire...
Oct 27, 2020•37 min•Season 3Ep. 65
Most people know that terrorism is driven by one of three primary motivators: religion, politics or ideology. Some now want to add misogyny to that trio. Borealis thinks this is a bad idea - have a listen to why. 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 analy...
Oct 26, 2020•9 min
Pick up any Western newspaper or go to any Website and when it comes to terrorism it seems to be all right wing all the time. Is this an accurate analysis of where the threat really is? Borealis offers his thoughts on the 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 Institute (PDI). He worked as a senio...
Oct 23, 2020•11 min
Six years ago today unarmed Corporal Nathan Cirillo was killed while standing honour guard at the National Cenotaph by a Canadian Islamist terrorist. RIP Corporal Cirillo. 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 Intelligenc...
Oct 22, 2020•9 min
A French teacher makes the difficult decision to raise the issue of the infamous 'Muhammad cartoons' to his class. People get angry and an 18-yr old student beheads this teacher. While France is no stranger to jihadi terrorism will this henous act lead to significant actions? 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 De...
Oct 22, 2020•9 min
Have you ever wondered what it takes to train a sniffer dog? Just how good are these dogs? Borealis talks to a Canadian who has been involved in training 'man's best friend' for four decades. About my guest Tom Abraham: My name is Tom Abraham, I am a former volunteer Fire Fighter in Puslinch, Ontario, Canada. I started this organization not by choice but rather by chance. My primary passion has always been dogs, Service Dogs – in specific, German Shepherds for Military/Law Enforcement purposes. ...
Oct 20, 2020•28 min•Season 3Ep. 64
It should surprise no one that most terrorists deny what they did. After all, admitting to it would mean a quick conviction were you to come to trial. What do we do with those who say they joined terrorist groups but did nothing violent? Borealis weighs in on this topic. Read: Inmate Released from Kurdish Prison: ISIS Used Us as Human Shields 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 an...
Oct 19, 2020•9 min
When terrorism cases come to court it is necessary to prove that ideology drove a (planned) act of violence. Why do we need to do that? Isn't violence simply violence? Borealis asks whether a recent Greek court decision to convict the far right Golden Dawn as a criminal organisation rather than a terrorist one has lessons for all of us. 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 Tech...
Oct 17, 2020•9 min
There are those in the US especially who say that groups like Antifa are terrorist in nature and should be banned. Antifa would be left-wing extremism, although some would take issue with that. Borealis appears as a guest on a podcast hosted by Vaush to look at these issues. About my guest Vaush: Hi, I'm Vaush. I believe progressive socialism is the best solution to the problems our country - all countries - face, and I'm here to make arguments in favor of that belief. I broadcast livestreams wh...
Oct 13, 2020•56 min•Season 3Ep. 63
The FBI has charged 13 men accused of a violent plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer , attack police, and start a U.S. civil war ahead of the November presidential election. Borealis talks with CHML's Bill Kelly about the FBI takedown of a right wing Michigan militia plot to kidnap and kill the state governor. ►Read more: 13 men charged in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consu...
Oct 09, 2020•15 min
How serious is the far right extremist threat in Canada? Are we taking it seriously enough? Borealis talks to Canada's leading scholar on this phenomenon, Dr. Barbara Perry of Ontario Tech University. About my guest Dr. Barbara Perry: Dr. Barbara Perry is the Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism. She has written extensively in the area of hate crime and right-wing extremism. Dr. Perry has also written on policing diverse communities, including work on social control in Native Ameri...
Oct 06, 2020•29 min•Season 3Ep. 62
50 years ago today the FLQ terrorist group kidnapped a UK diplomat in Montreal. A few days later, they kidnapped the deputy premier Pierre Laporte whom they killed. In response the Pierre Trudeau government declared martial law and arrested hundreds. People are now demanding that the current Trudeau government apologise for this. Should it? Borealis weighs in. ►Read Today in terrorism: October 5, 1970: FLQ kidnapping of British diplomat About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO o...
Oct 05, 2020•10 min
An inquiry into the 2017 Manchester suicide bombing has uncovered that MI5 had the terrorist on their 'radar' as long ago as 2010. The security service ended up dropping him from investigation. Did they screw up? Borealis weighs in on how investigations really work. 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 ...
Oct 05, 2020•10 min
Intelligence agencies exist to help officials make better decisions. Some nations have true 'intelligence cultures' where the value of this kind of information is recognised. Then there is Canada. Borealis laments the lack of appreciation for this source of data in his own country. ►Read Ottawa turned off ‘wrong tap’ on pandemic surveillance, former intelligence adviser says About the host Phil Gurski: Phil is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Direct...
Oct 02, 2020•10 min
A Canadian has been charged with terrorism hoax for lying about being part of ISIS. What should happen to him? Borealis talks to Mubin Shaikh, a Canadian who worked with Abu Huzayfah to see what he knew and when about this case. More: ►Quick Hits Abu Huzayfah, the man who cried ISIS ►Episode 31 - Interview with Mubin Shaikh, former security intelligence and counter terrorism operative About my guest Mubin Shaikh: Mubin Shaikh is a former security intelligence and counter terrorism operative. He ...
Sep 30, 2020•17 min
What should we do with so-called returning 'foreign fighters' (i.e. terrorists)? Charge them? How hard is that? Borealis discusses the challenges behind this in light of a recent case in Calgary, Canada. ►Read Second Calgary man in two months charged with aiding Islamic State terrorists 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 Prof...
Sep 30, 2020•8 min
