High quality article on Iran’s involvement with Syria in producing the drug Captagon. “How Syria and Iran fuel regional instability through illicit drug trade,” Iran International, 8-19-24.
Too much evidence the other way. “Ceasefire in Gaza ‘unrelated’ to Iran’s retaliation plans, says Tehran,” Iran International, 8-19-24.
“Police, Shin Bet said to believe Iran, Hezbollah may be behind failed Tel Aviv attack,” Times of Israel, 8-19-24.
Mismanagement abounds in dictatorships. “Natural and Man-Made Disasters in Iran: A Costly Challenge,” Iran News Update, 8-19-24.
One word, Yes. “Will Iran Risk Sanctions by Selling Missiles to Russia?,” OilPrice.com, RFE/RL, 8-19-24.
“Iran’s Nuclear Weapon Plan: What We Know,” Newsweek, 8-19-24.
“Iran Update, August 19, 2024,” Institute for the Study of War, 8-19-24.
“Iran hacked Trump campaign, US intelligence confirms,” BBC, 8-19-24. See also, “FBI concludes Iran was behind Trump campaign hack,” The Hill, 8-19-24.
Just pause and think about this—a country is not just trying to hack into a campaign website or officials’ emails, but they are also trying to kill a candidate who is a former president. Shouldn’t our response be stronger? This is just plain wrong in international relations. And unique in U.S. history. “Iranian hackers — and hitmen — eye Trump,” Politico, 8-19-24.
Great article about how ideology thwarts agency efficiency. “Pezeshkian’s Cabinet Reflects Iran’s Institutional Stagnation,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 8-19-24.
Lots of news on 8-19-24. “Iranian Universities Open Doors to Foreign Paramilitary Forces, Raising Concerns,” Iran News Update, 8-19-24.
Fascinating the two-faced approach. Quote of the Day—“Iranian analysts estimate the profits from the IRGC’s censorship and sale of technology to bypass censorship can net the group upwards of $3 billion annually.” See “Break the Revolutionary Guard’s Monopoly over VPNs in Iran, The Middle East Forum Observer,” 8-19-24.
“Joint ODNI, FBI, and CISA Statement on Iranian Election Influence Efforts,” CISA Press Release, 8-19-24.
“North Korea and Iran: A nuclear proliferation nightmare,” Washington Times, 8-19-24.