Canadian Intelligence Eh
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.
Canadian Intelligence Eh
Episode 284 - Can we deal with the 'new' Saudi Arabia?
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Phil Gurski
Saudi Arabia is desperately trying to change its image from an ultraconservative Middle East oil power to a modern state. Much of this change is at the hands of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) who is the darling of the international community and a rarity: a young royal in a family of octogenarians. But all is not roses as MBS also ordered the assassination of a critic in Turkey and tried to eliminate a former intelligence official in Canada. As a consequence, relations between the Kingdom and Canada are frosty. Is this going to change? I talk with a veteran Saudi watcher on these issues.