Undercover Jihadi: How an Intelligence Asset Infiltrated a Homegrown Cell Planning a Mass-Casualty Op

Change Agents with Andy Stumpf

IRONCLAD

Society & Culture

4.9 • 648 Ratings

🗓️ 8 April 2026

⏱️ 69 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with counterterrorism expert Mubin Shaikh to discuss his transition from a radicalized youth who encountered the Taliban to an undercover operative for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The conversation explores Mubin’s role in thwarting the "Toronto 18" terrorism plot, the psychological drivers that lead individuals toward extremism, and the current global threat landscape. Mubin also provides a detailed look at the mechanics of domestic terror cells and offers practical advice on situational awareness and community resilience in the modern world. Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) Introduction: The Encounter with the Taliban (05:30) The Identity Crisis: From Public School to Radicalization (12:15) The Utility of Extremism: Taking the Paycheck, Hating the West (15:45) The Turning Point: How 9/11 Shattered the Narrative (21:20) Deep Cover: Moving to Syria to Study the "Sith" (27:30) Recruited: Working Undercover for Intelligence Services (33:50) The Toronto 18: Infiltrating the Banquet Hall Meeting (40:00) Tactical Discovery: "Cop Killer" Rounds and Training Camps (45:30) The Northern Border: The New Springboard for Terror (52:00) 2026 Threat Assessment: AI Recruitment and Digital Rabbit Holes (58:30) - Sleeper Cells: How Embedded Actors Operate Under the Radar Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/IRONCLAD and use code IRONCLAD for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=ironclad&utm_campaign=ironclad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Now, are all the traitors present?
0:02.0	Let's get started, shall we?
0:04.0	From rags to riches.
0:06.0	I'm so sick of this.
0:07.0	Working like a dog and being treated worse.
0:09.0	Yorkshire to New York.
0:10.0	Poor climbers, you and me.
0:12.0	A life dedicated to revenge.
0:14.0	Let's make this an occasion to remember.
0:17.0	A Woman of Substance on Channel 4, stream now.
0:20.0	In my travels, I had a chance encounter at the top A Woman of Substance on Channel 4, stream now.
0:25.1	In my travels, I had a chance encounter with the Taliban.
0:31.0	Now, I'm this young Muslim kid looking for this new identity, something that resonates with my sacred values.
0:34.1	And I see these guys, and I become enamored by them.
0:40.8	I bought into that whole myth of these guys are the holy warriors of old,
0:43.7	and I need to be like them. I need to join them.
0:56.2	Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to change agents in Iron Cloud Original, presented by Firecracker Farm.
1:00.0	Our guest today is counterterrorism expert, Mubin Sheikh.
1:02.0	Sheikh has a unique story.
1:09.6	Mubim was born in Canada, but after an encounter with the Taliban while visiting India and Pakistan at the age of 19, he became radicalized.
1:13.1	Following 9-11, however, he moved to Syria and began Arabic and Islamic studies, disavowing jihadist culture and de-radicalizing. Since then,
1:18.9	he has worked in the field of counterterrorism. Given the recent attacks on the campus at Old
	...

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