Spies Like Us

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!