Another hostage, this one French, arrested in Mashhad some months ago but now coming to light publicly. France already knew. “Lawyer: Iran charges detained French tourist with spying,” AP, March 15, 2021
Here’s the answer to my question in yesterday’s blog, these are more “pipe dream” projects. The IRI has a history of many projects announced but few finished. Many of those announcements are just show and are designed to induce the public to believe the government is acting in their best interests. “Iran Launches Five Projects To Transfer Desalinated Water,” Eurasia Review, March 15, 2021.
“Smugglers’ protests: Iran succumbs to trauma and demons,” James Dorsey, Modern Diplomacy, March 15, 2021.
Bashar al-Assad needs to read this article. It is no secret that Iran wants to make Syria into the next Lebanon. Maybe he already knows but thinks it will come after he is no longer in power. “Iran Is Trying to Convert Syria to Shiism,” Anchal Vohra, FP, March 15, 2021.
“The new cooperation agreement between Russia and Iran on cybersecurity and information technology is likely to create new hurdles for the United States and its allies in the Middle East.” See “The Iran-Russia Cyber Agreement and U.S. Strategy in the Middle East,” Omree Wechsler, Council on Foreign Relations Blog Post, March 15, 2021.
Iran’s decade in Syria. “Syria’s Civil War Started A Decade Ago. Here’s Where It Stands,” Ruth Sherlock and Scott Neuman, NPR, March 15, 2021.
Another FM Zarif sighting. “Iran’s Zarif says time running out for U.S. to revive nuclear deal,” Reuters, March 15, 2021.
Either these have been written, will be written by someone else, or won’t be completed and released. “Iran to appoint special rapporteur on sanctions,” The Siasat Daily, March 15, 2021.
“Iran Keeps Students Illiterate and Teaches Them the Culture of Martyrdom,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, March 15, 2021.
Iran is not present in the talks, but Qatar is there apparently on its behalf. “Iran backs Turkey-Qatar-Russia talks on Syrian crisis,” Bilal Guler, AA, March 15, 2021.
“No to the Islamic Republic.” See “Iran’s Opposition Is Sending Washington a Message,” Ilan Berman, op-ed, Newsweek, March 15, 2021.