Month: August 2024

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“Head of Syrian army secretly visited Iran, acting without Assad’s knowledge – report,” I24, 8-8-24.  I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a story like this.  “Syria’s Chief of Staff, General Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim, visited Iran without informing President Bashar Al-Assad, according to the Saudi channel Al-Hadath on Thursday.  The report said that “the Syrian Chief of Staff made decisions that established a connection with Iran.” This allegedly has led to Israeli attacks on Syrian, non-Iranian sites. Sources revealed that “it is believed that the Syrian Chief of Staff agreed to transfer weapons from the army to Hezbollah.” The sources added that Ibrahim “approved operations against Israel from Syria without the knowledge of the Syrian president.” According to sources, he also “agreed to launch drones from Syria towards Israel in mid-July,” indicating that Ibrahim “secretly visited Tehran to solidify the relationship with Iran.” The sources mentioned that “Ibrahim poses a threat to the stability of Syria and harms its vital infrastructure.”  Ibrahim may not be long for this world.

“Iran keeps region guessing as it mulls revenge attack,” BBC, 8-8-24.

“Why Iran Will Escalate,” CSIS, 8-8-24.  Keep an important point in mind, that not many openly make.  Israel took action in response to Hezbollah and Hamas bad actions/actors.  Action and Reaction in physics terms.  So, if Iran responds and attacks Israel, that technically is a new round of (serious) Tit for Tat.  Country leaders and the Press need to recognize this and repeatedly call out Iran for continuing (and restarting) the conflict.

“Iran mulls scrapping plans to take revenge on Israel in exchange for a Gaza ceasefire,” CNN, 8-8-24.  Feint.  The centrifuges spin.

“Iran’s frightening new playbook for war,” Economist, 8-8-24.

“Ahead of imminent attack on Israel, Iran blocks its airspace for ‘military activities’,” Firstpost, 8-8-24.

“Israel said to believe Hezbollah will respond before Iran to deaths of terror chiefs,” Times of Israel, 8-8-24.

“As Biden-Harris Admin Calls for De-Escalation, Iran Threatens To ‘Wipe Out’ American Military Bases Across the Middle East,” Free Beacon, 8-8-24.

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Friction behind the scenes.  The Leader is not supposed to have a president lobbying him against force.  “Iranian president pleads with Khamenei to prevent war with Israel – report,” I24, 8-7-24.  The report is not generated by Israeli news sources but by the Saudi Arabian-affiliated Iran International.  Also, remember the real issue—will Iran begin to turn away from violence and toward being a normal country?  They need to start somewhere.

“US offers $10 million for info on Iranian leaders behind CyberAv3ngers water utility attacks,” The Record, 8-7-24.  Protected by the IRGC.

“Putin Urges Iran to Exercise Restraint,” FDD, 8-7-24.

In the word(s) of Pres. Joe Biden, “Don’t.”  “Belarus’ Air Force chief meets Iranian commanders to discuss defense ties,” IRNA, 8-7-24.

“Iran executes 29 day after protester’s hanging: rights group,” VOA, 8-7-24.

Hiring a hitman is a favorite tactic of Quds.  Plotting revenge for the elimination of General Soleimani is also a favorite activity of Quds.  “US charges Iran-linked Pakistani over political assassination plot,” Al Jazeera, 8-7-24.  Remember that in these cases, the past several years have shown us, the U.S. collects evidences and announces charges, then Iran denies.  That is always the pattern.  Iran never addresses the allegations.

The longer this goes on and on (three weeks?), Iran looks weaker.  And if they do attack in a large way, that is what it is, the opening salvo (not in responding to terror) but in a war.  “Iran might be second-guessing its Israel attack,” Politico, 8-7-24.

“Iran could rethink Israel attack amid strong diplomatic pressure from US – report,” Times of Israel, 8-7-24.  “Show of US military strength could play role in Tehran lessening its threat, report claims, alongside Iran’s understanding that bomb that killed Hamas leader detonated remotely.”