Spies Like Us

Former heads of services talking to our enemies, Elon Musk dialing back Internet services to Ukraine...what the hell is going on? These incidents have huge implications for national security. What do three ex-spies think about this? We are sure you are dying to know. Grab a drink and have a listen!

Another week at the virtual bar - is Neil drinking water or vodka at 11 AM? - and the boys deliver their usual combo of insight and banter into current national security issues. In this episode we discuss the US withdrawal of Iraq (were they still there?), the flyDubai terrorist incident and why Canadian security services are begging for people (hint, hint: three formers are willing to come back..). And a poem to honour FBI Director Kash Patel's penchant for animals.

After a summer hiatus, the retired spies are back! Al, Neil and Phil shake off the dust and dive right back in to discuss national security issues amid good-natured (?) banter. From the FBI's new ?policy? on bestiality, to the final (!) creation of the Foreign Agent Registry in Canada to Russian (and American!) interference in Canadian affairs, there is nowhere these ex-spooks will not go. Grab a seat at the bar and have a listen!

After a successful Spies and Spirits event at the Luckhurst Distillery in Kelowna BC, the lads weigh in on the role Sir William Stephenson (a.k.a. 'Intrepid') played in the creation of the Canadian intelligence community and the 5 eyes, the centenary of the Royal Canadian Legion, why it took the Canadian government a quarter century to act on CSIS intel on Chinese spying in the resource sector, and why it is important to recognise sources through the purchase of their wares.

To prove that three old guys - ok, in Neil's case old-ish - are with it and hip with technology we go video this week! You can actually hear AND see us - how cool is that? Phil learns that the Shanghai sweetheart on LinkedIn may not be who she claims to be, Canada drops the terrorist ball once again on removing threats to public safety - what else is new? And a good news by the five eyes to share intel (and not the five eyes found in creatures on Phil's favourite B-sci fi films!). The bar is open even if all three are eschewing alcohol this time.

As Phil sips on a "Lumbersexual" IPA - whatever that means - and jet-lagged Al is barely comatose (and Neil is, well, Neil) - the lads weigh in on why should NOT bring ISIS terrorists home, including those who go to a firing range on their wedding day, why legal access challenges for security intelligence and law enforcement agencies are looming, and why a jihadi impersonating a woman (hey, don't laugh, it has happened!) should wear gloves (thanks Hardy Boys for the hint). The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the bar is open!

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 right-wing wankers down south, and CT czar Sebastian Gorka's obsession with low-hanging fruit. Always on topic, never boring. It's time for Spies Like Us!

After a short hiatus the Al-less boys - does this make us a duet? - are back and it's all about China. Neil and Phil talk with Canada's top Sinologist (that means China watcher for you non-China watchers) Charles Burton about why exactly the Canadian government under Prime Minister Mark Carney is kowtowing (how's that for a Chinese term??) to the PRC and ignoring the obvious national security threats despite what the security services are saying to the country. A sneak peak at an upcoming Pillar Society Speakers' Series talk in late May! 

Yes, another week with the lads in the virtual bar as they delve into the details of yet another counter terrorism unit in Canada, why a wanker Liberal MP is questioning Chinese use of forced Uyghur labour, and why can the Canadian government not look into problematic foreign student applications? Pull up a stool, order a pint (except for Neil!) and join in the conversation

What happens when three ex-spies talk about national security? You get in-depth, insider views of what's happening including why two morons shoot up an empty diplomatic presence at o-dark-hundred, why Canada is level-headed when it comes to threat and an ode to Emperor Cheetoh. Pony up at the bar and have a listen!