A long-delayed public release of NSIRA’s report into the activities of the Global Security Reporting Program—the “intelligence” arm of Global Affairs, which has diplomats openly engaging with persons of interest abroad—was finally released, and it’s making some waves. In particular, for a programme that isn’t actual covert intelligence gathering has some governance problems, with a lack of coherent policies or training that has led to some lines being blurred, which can make some countries believe this is an actual foreign intelligence service (it’s not, and we don’t have one).
So, with this in mind, here are four threads from some very reputable sources. Stephanie Carvin walks through the report, and breaks down its components, as well as the government’s responses.
https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1737569161042096138
Jessica Davis has a shorter walkthrough (with paragraph numbers!) about her own concerns about what she reads in it.
Folks, we need to talk about this GSRP review.
Canada's national security intelligence review agency (NSIRA) just released their review of our Global Security Reporting Program.
It's wild times. https://t.co/yCAM6Ql4no
— JMDavis (@JessMarinDavis) December 20, 2023
Leah West has a few legal observations about the report.
NSIRA Review of GAC GSRP program out and it is a doozy. I'm not someone who believes GSRP requires domestic legislation; its authorities and constraints are sufficient under existing Canadian and International law for what the GSRP is designed to do.https://t.co/Kb16JBhLtq
— Leah West (@leahwest_nsl) December 20, 2023
And Thomas Juneau gives a much more generous read, and places some of the GSRP’s work into better context.
The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) has finally released a redacted verison of its report on Global Affairs Canada's Global Security Reporting Porgram (GSRP), which has attracted some attention recently. Quick thread.https://t.co/KS6UuE5wPi
— Thomas Juneau (@thomasjuneau) December 20, 2023
Ukraine Dispatch:
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed journalists’ questions about whether Ukraine is losing the war, but acknowledges challenges of being in a country under siege. Ukraine’s forces appear to be moving to a more defensive posture, likely because of the artillery shortage.
Ukrainian Advent Calendar: Day 20
Leopard 2 is the weapon of the day!
10 countries joined the Leopard Coalition and provided these tanks to #UAarmy. We are grateful to Germany (@BMVg_Bundeswehr), Netherlands (@Defensie), Denmark (@Forsvarsmin), Poland (@MON_GOV_PL), Spain… pic.twitter.com/LSeN8zZPje— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 20, 2023
The attack, targeting Rosvodkanal's digital infrastructure, was likely supported by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the sources told Ukrainska Pravda.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 20, 2023