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!

In this week's bar chat (ok, the bar is virtual but the beer is real and Al is enjoying a "Juicy Ass" - please don't pursue why!) the lads look at various aspects of the war ("Don't mention the war" - classic John Cleese in Fawlty Towers!), why the Persian Gulf is more of a swamp, and why President Trump may not want to distort his face with anger. Join us and hoist a pint!

This week the boys weigh in on a new report on transnational repression (TNR) in Canada, co-authored by one of us (hint: not Neil and not Al), why it is so hard to use intelligence in court cases, and ask whether the Hells Angels owned a shipping line. Three spies, three beers (well two since Al was drinking something called 'water'), and a virtual bar - what more can one ask for?

In yet another chat in a virtual bar, the boys look into why a couple of Western University students were arrested on possible national security charges, why Canadians make great targets for Cuban spies, and why hiding behind a snowman is a great way to spy on someone (and so Canadian!).