Foreign Intelligence: What is Canada Missing?

Send us Fan Mail 🇨🇦🔥 Foreign Intelligence: What is Canada Missing? | Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up This week on Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up, Neil Bisson — retired CSIS Intelligence Officer and Director of the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network — examines a series of global intelligence developments that raise a critical question: 👉 Is Canada missing a key piece of the foreign intelligence puzzle? From espionage targeting Europe’s defence industry, to Beijing’s evolving influence strategy in Taiwan, to a growing debate inside Canada about the future of foreign intelligence collection—this episode highlights how modern threats are no longer confined to traditional domains. They are embedded in industry, infrastructure, political systems, and global networks. 🌍 This week’s key questions: 🇩🇪 Germany & Defence Industry 👉 Are private sector companies now the frontline targets of foreign intelligence operations—and is industry prepared to defend itself? 🇹🇼 China & Taiwan 👉 Is Beijing shifting from overt political pressure to more subtle legislative and structural influence—and how effective is that strategy over time? 🇨🇦 Canada & Foreign Intelligence 👉 Should Canada expand its intelligence capabilities to include a dedicated foreign HUMINT service—or is the current model sufficient? 🌊 North Atlantic & Undersea Infrastructure 👉 Why are Russian submarines operating near critical undersea cables—and what risk does this pose to global communications and national security? 🇬🇧 London Arson Attacks 👉 Are we seeing the growing use of proxy actors and deniable tactics by foreign states—and how does that blur the line between terrorism and intelligence operations? 🎙️ In this episode, Neil also reflects on his recent appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology, where he provided insight into the national security risks associated with Chinese electric vehicles in Canada. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 01:48 – Welcome & Episode Overview 03:00 – Germany: Espionage & Sabotage Targeting Defence Industry 08:30 – Taiwan: Beijing’s Shift to Legislative Pressure 13:30 – Canada: CSIS Memo & Foreign Intelligence Debate 18:30 – North Atlantic: Russian Submarine Activity & Undersea Infrastructure 22:00 – London: Arson Attacks & Proxy Operations 24:00 – House of Commons Testimony & Closing Remarks 25:00 – Outro 🎓 Learn More Sabotage and Proxy Operations in Modern Intelligence (University of Ottawa): https://pdinstitute.uottawa.ca/PDI/Courses/National-Security/Sabotage-and-Proxy-Operations/Course.aspx?CourseCode=S0245 🏛️ Watch Neil’s House of Commons Testimony: https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20260416/-1/44749?gefdesc=&startposition=20260416110225 📢 Support the Channel If you value independent intelligence analysis and weekly breakdowns of global threats, consider supporting the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2336717/support 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe Your support helps grow the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network and brings critical national security conversations to a wider audience. Support the show