Description

In this one-day course, you learn how foreign states use sabotage and proxy actors to silence critics. You look at recent cases from countries such as Russia, Iran, and India. You see how governments work through criminal networks, extremist groups, and private actors. These groups disrupt infrastructure. They intimidate opponents. They target diaspora communities. You also examine how states conceal their role while expanding their influence far beyond their borders.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Describe how foreign states use sabotage and proxy actors to silence critics and influence targets.
  • Identify recurring patterns of state-directed sabotage in democratic countries.
  • Analyze case studies of covert action in Canada and abroad to highlight methods and impacts.
  • Explain how criminal groups such as biker gangs and the Bishnoi gang serve intelligence objectives.
  • Define the concept of plausible deniability and illustrate its role in covert operations.
  • Assess the national security risks for Canada and propose policy responses to address them.

Duration

6 hours

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Instructor

Neil Bisson is a retired Intelligence Officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and a former Canada Border Services Agency Front Line Border Officer. With over 25 years of law enforcement and Intelligence, Neil brings a unique perspective to the practical side of intelligence matters. Neil is currently the Director of the Global Intelligence Knowledge Network, where he provides regular commentary and information on international intelligence, foreign interference, terrorism and national security issues.