It’s likely Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saw events playing out differently than how they actually turned out for his recent state visit to India. Like most Canadians, he probably thought February an ideal time to…
View More Khalistan – Theatre of the AbsurdTag: extremism
When the Fear of Terrorism Trumps Reason
There is no question that fear sells. The latest Stephen King film about an evil clown – It – grossed over $120 million in its first three days after all. We are odd in that we both…
View More When the Fear of Terrorism Trumps ReasonMyanmar may be the Next Jihadi Battleground
Before this piece goes any further I need to spell out that I am not a big fan of the use of force unless absolutely necessary (and when necessary it is best to use it…
View More Myanmar may be the Next Jihadi BattlegroundLet’s Shout these Far-right Losers Down
As I have stated on many occasions, the threat to Canada from Islamist extremist groups represents by far the single greatest priority for our security services – CSIS, the RCMP and provincial and municipal police…
View More Let’s Shout these Far-right Losers DownEmbers of Sikh Extremism
Parliament Hill in Ottawa is one of those treasures found only in liberal democracies. Anyone can show up and lobby, protest, shout his lungs out or carry a placard peacefully and silently, no matter what…
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Can ‘Moderate’ Islam Top ‘Extremist’ Islam?
My late mother had a lot of great advice for me, much of which I followed and much of which has helped me immensely in life. One maxim that she shared with me has been…
View More Can ‘Moderate’ Islam Top ‘Extremist’ Islam?Shooting in Quebec City: Symptom of a Wider Crisis
The cold-blooded shooting of six Muslims following evening prayers on Jan 29 at a Québec City mosque has, predictably, amplified the acrimonious debate over racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia in Quebec – as the suspect, who…
View More Shooting in Quebec City: Symptom of a Wider Crisis
Right-Wing Extremism Not a Serious Threat, for Now
I have just returned from Oslo where I was thrilled to catch up with one of my favourite terrorist experts, Thomas Hegghammer. Hegghammer and his colleagues at the FFI – Norway’s Defence Research Establishment –…
View More Right-Wing Extremism Not a Serious Threat, for Now
Blunt Approach to Terrorism Will Be Counter-Productive
The surprise – at least to some – victory by Republican candidate Donald Trump over his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton in Wednesday’s U.S. presidential election has already led to speculation over what a Trump administration…
View More Blunt Approach to Terrorism Will Be Counter-Productive
Countering Extremism: Choose “Community Leaders” Carefully
The fight against terrorism is multi-faceted. As we are seeing in Mosul as I write, forces from a number of countries, including Canada, are heavily involved in an effort to take back Iraq’s second largest…
View More Countering Extremism: Choose “Community Leaders” Carefully