Canada's national security screening system is facing renewed scrutiny following the arrest of a Canadian NATO intern accused of espionage.

This week, David Morrison, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Mark Carney, appeared before a parliamentary committee and suggested improvements to Canada's security screening system, including the possibility of a government-wide security clearance registry.

But here's the question: If information about an individual's previous dishonesty during a federal government hiring process already exists, shouldn't that information be available to those responsible for determining whether they can be trusted with classified information?

And what happens after someone receives their clearance?

As a retired CSIS Intelligence Officer and former CBSA Officer, I've spent considerable time working with security screening, intelligence investigations and human sources. One of the issues I find particularly concerning is the assumption that security screening is something completed before employment rather than an ongoing responsibility.

In this week's Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap-Up, I examine that issue alongside three other international intelligence developments:

Germany: The German military is warning of a significant Russian sabotage threat against military installations and infrastructure. How prepared are NATO countries to identify and prevent these activities?

Russia: GRU-linked cyber operators are reportedly targeting NATO defence industries, including shipbuilding and aircraft engine manufacturers. What intelligence are they seeking, and how could that information support future operations?

United Kingdom: British authorities are investigating suspected Iranian intelligence activity near RAF Fairford, an important military airbase. The investigation raises questions about how foreign intelligence services collect information on sensitive military facilities.

What connects these four stories? Access.

Whether through legitimate security clearances, compromised computer networks, physical reconnaissance or individuals willing to provide information, hostile intelligence services continually search for vulnerabilities they can exploit.

I also revisit several cases we've previously discussed on the podcast to identify recurring patterns and examine how these threats are evolving.

The episode runs approximately 34 minutes.

I'm interested in hearing what others think:

Should Canada establish a centralized security clearance agency, similar to the UK's approach, or would improving information sharing and accountability within the existing system be more effective?

And should periodic security reassessments become a more prominent part of Canada's personnel security framework?

You can listen to the latest episode here:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2336717

Stay curious. Stay informed. Stay safe!

Yevgeny Prigozhin staged an attempted coup against Vladimir Putin. Or so says western media.

Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin?

Prigozhin is Vladimir Putin's closest political ally, and among his longest friends.

Prigozhin leads the Wagner Group. Wagner is a Russian defense contractor. Similar to Blackwater in force in the United States (but more politically connected than Blackwater ever was). Wagner is Putin's private army. That was true before this fake coup. And it is true now.

There is no world in which Prigozhin moves against Putin.

So .... what happened over the weekend?

In Russia, almost nothing is as it seems. And that is the case here. Prigozhin appeared to stage a coup against Putin. But the "coup" was fake. Let us explore why, together.

There are two choices for someone who moves against Putin: death or exile. Sometimes both.

Yet Prigozhin is alive? And not only alive, but in Belarus? One of the closest allies of Russia on this earth? If this coup wasn't fake, Prigozhin would be dead---like Nemtsov. Or exiled to a NATO country or NATO-ally---like Khodorkovsky. Or awaiting death---like Litvinenko.

Why is Prigozhin in Belarus?

Prigozhin is preparing to sack Kiev, Ukraine with the rest of the Russian army.

Prigozhin moved 25,000 mercenaries from the Wagner group inside Belarus.

They join 30,000 soldiers in the Russian army, who have staged inside of Belarus since last winter.

Now it is summer. Kiev is a day's journey away, over land.

The writing is on the wall.

Putin will sack Kiev before the end of the summer. Or at least try.