The Hadith of the Islamic Shiite tradition talks about the Prophet Muhammed’s talking donkey, which he named Yaʽfūr. (“The Beginning and the End” by Ibn Kathir, Chapter Six: “The Conversation of the Donkey.”) Today, Iran serves as … [Read more...] about Radical Islam Braying the Donkey Party
Iran
Hamas Enablers*
On October 18, Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)imposed sanctions on ten "key Hamas terrorist and financial facilitators in Gaza and elsewhere including Sudan, Türkiye, Algeria, and Qatar." Only ten? What about the … [Read more...] about Hamas Enablers*
Will China save Iran?*
In recent weeks a series of explosions and fires have spread throughout much of Iran, damaging multiple facilities, including the Natanz nuclear facility and the missile construction center. At the same time, the coronavirus pandemic has hit Iran … [Read more...] about Will China save Iran?*
Why what happens in Syria is important*
Right: Iranian bases in Syria, April 2018, photo credit: skynewsarabiya.com, (April 30, 2018). After 400 years of Ottoman rule, the region now known as Syria was detached from the dying empire by French and British troops a hundred … [Read more...] about Why what happens in Syria is important*
Erdogan a threat to US effort to contain Iran*
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is ratcheting up the pressure on Saudi Arabia for the now-admitted killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi – a strategy that threatens the US effort to contain Iran. Instead of letting the United States and Saudi … [Read more...] about Erdogan a threat to US effort to contain Iran*
Russia Agrees To Rein In Iran*
Putin has given Israel carte blanche to take military action against Iranian targets in Syria, and against Iran's proxy Hezbollah, in Syria and Lebanon. A couple of weeks ago two contemporary masters of international statecraft met in … [Read more...] about Russia Agrees To Rein In Iran*
Trump Cancels Summit in Singapore as Kim’s Regime Totters
President Donald Trump has canceled the planned June 12 summit in Singapore with North Korea’s dictator, Kim Jong-un. This came after repeated complaints from North Korean officials and news organizations, the latest by a North Korean Deputy Foreign … [Read more...] about Trump Cancels Summit in Singapore as Kim’s Regime Totters
Iran Between A Rock And A Hard Place While Living In Interesting Times
Left: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, and President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran. Photo: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP. There is nothing going on in the world at this time that has the potential to affect … [Read more...] about Iran Between A Rock And A Hard Place While Living In Interesting Times
Surviving Cyberia
Russia's cyber-attacks on the United States, have not been limited to interfering with the 2016 elections. Nor did Russian spying, stealing information and spreading disinformation begun in 2013 when several of them conspired to interfere with and … [Read more...] about Surviving Cyberia
Russia responsible for Iran’s behavior in Syria
Left: Iran has provided military support to Syrian government forces since at least 2012. Credit, RFE/RL file - It has been a slow burn for a while, but the latest incident in northern Israel resulting in the shoot-down of an Israeli F-16 tells us … [Read more...] about Russia responsible for Iran’s behavior in Syria