{"id":8317,"date":"2025-12-17T09:16:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T15:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/?p=8317"},"modified":"2026-01-01T22:01:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T04:01:52","slug":"8317","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/2025\/12\/17\/8317\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

Lots of blog-relevant news on 12-17-25.\u00a0 First this one–Their own fault, based on the Regime\u2019s founding purposes and following decisions over 46 years.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018Nobody Knows What to Do About the Future\u2019,\u201d<\/a> The Atlantic, 12-17-25.<\/p>\n

It started by dragging her by her hair to a vehicle.\u00a0 \u201cWhy Iran Is Going After Its Best,\u201d<\/a> Time, 12-17-25.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe establishment knows protests are inevitable,\u201d one said. \u201cIt is only a matter of time.\u201d Their strategy is to delay that reckoning through fear, executing people at a rate of four a day, deploying checkpoints across major cities, monitoring citizens\u2019 phones, and making examples of anyone with a platform.<\/p>\n

\u201cSwiss government significantly expands sanctions against Iran,\u201d<\/a> Sanctions News, 12-17-25<\/p>\n

“Sweden confirms citizen held in Iran after judiciary announces espionage case,\u201d<\/a> Iran International, 12-17-25.<\/p>\n

This author\u2019s opinion (and the website\u2019s) perspective is so off-base I almost didn\u2019t post it, but just to again say that I post other perspectives, here it is.\u00a0 (as evidence of how wrong the analysis is, note that the June War is not even mentioned, nor is Iran\u2019s nuclear weapons program).\u00a0 \u201cBlack Boxes and Broken Mirrors: Iran, Israel, and the New Geography of Instability,\u201d<\/a> Small Wars Journal, 12-17-25.<\/p>\n

\u201cMossad chief says Iran still determined to build nuclear bomb,\u201d<\/a> Iran International, 12-17-25.<\/p>\n

\u201cIran, Russia sign cooperation agreement after talks in Moscow,\u201d<\/a> Iran International, 12-17-25.<\/p>\n

One of the few articles approaching this subject in the past years.\u00a0 \u201cWhat Has Iran Gained from BRICS?,\u201d<\/a> National Interest, 12-17-25.\u00a0\u00a0In essence, one IR theory says that states look after their own interests.\u00a0 So, if various pirate states band together for a common goal or for a time period, the base being flawed in original or ultimate purpose does not allow for long-term success.\u00a0 That does not bode well for Iran.\u00a0 It can\u2019t be relied upon, nor the other states upon each other.\u00a0 So Iran, and they, instead should reconsider why it\/they exist as a state.<\/p>\n

Interesting.\u00a0 Iran is always looking for opportunities to surround the U.S., Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey (E and T don\u2019t always make this type of point).\u00a0 \u201cIs Iran\u2019s Axis of Resistance turning toward Tunisia?,\u201d<\/a> National Interest, 12-17-25.\u00a0 But this story comes at a time that Tunisia needs to evaluate its trajectory and the best interests of its people.<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s ability to project power into the Persian Gulf wants the islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIran summons Cyprus ambassador over interventionist stance,\u201d<\/a> Mehr, 12-17-25.<\/p>\n

\u201cIran curbs women’s rights further by changing dowry law,\u201d<\/a> DW, 12-17-25.\u00a0\u00a0From 110 gold coins to just 14 coins, and each is about 8 grams of gold.\u00a0 12-22-25 price is 153\/gram, so that\u2019s not much price to pay for males for a bride or a divorce.<\/p>\n

Lost an opportunity to lose an opportunity.\u00a0 \u201cTrump authorized Iran attack after Tehran rejected deal – Washington Post,\u201d<\/a> Iran International, 12-17-25.<\/p>\n

Outstanding article, one of the best on this topic.\u00a0 People power.\u00a0 \u201cWhat frightens Tehran more than bunker busters and F-35s,\u201d<\/a> Iran International, 12-17-25.<\/p>\n

\u201cChina Draws Iranian Ire Over UAE Islands Claim,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, 12-17-25.<\/p>\n

\u201cInside Venezuela\u2019s growing arsenal of Iranian weapons,\u201d<\/a> Task & Purpose, 12-17-25.\u00a0\u00a0You wonder about the U.S. threatening Maduro, the proxy of Iran?!\u00a0 \u201cIranian-made attack boats, missiles, drones, and Hezbollah-linked networks.\u00a0 Great article showing the relationship and some of the important reasons the U.S. is off the coast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lots of blog-relevant news on 12-17-25.\u00a0 First this one–Their own fault, based on the Regime\u2019s founding purposes and following decisions over 46 years.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018Nobody Knows What to Do About the Future\u2019,\u201d The Atlantic, 12-17-25. It started by dragging her by her hair to a vehicle.\u00a0 \u201cWhy Iran Is Going After Its Best,\u201d Time, 12-17-25.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe establishment … <\/p>\n

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