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Proud Boys and the thorny definition of terrorism

Does labelling the Proud Boys “terrorists” mean far right violence is being taken seriously? What questions should be asked when the list of terror groups expands?
Members of the far-right group the Proud Boys attend a rally to protest the results of the U.S. election, in Washington, U.S., December 12, 2020 (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)

The Canadian government recently listed the Proud Boys and three other far-right organizations as terrorist entities. They also moved to list nine other militant Islamist groups. 

For some people, this is a huge win. But others worry it's a sign that the war on terror is continuing to expand, and they're concerned about who might get caught up in its dragnet.

Today, Ben Makuch a national security reporter for Vice, and Michelle Shephard, author of Decade of Fear: Reporting from Terrorism's Grey Zone, wade through the complex ramifications. 

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