History, Religion, Politics, Culture, and Travels in the Islamic World
Iran and its allies are using a calibrated approach to increase temperatures in the Middle East until the water boils the American and Israeli ‘frogs’ to death. This is a timeless strategy in asymmetrical warfare. The Taliban used to say, ‘Americans have watches but we have the time.’ Time is on IRGC’s side.
Another bad idea by Europe and US. Tehran counters ‘maximum pressure’ with ‘maximum pressure.’ If G7/US go ahead and ban Iran Air, Iran will respond forcefully. Ukraine and Israel will pay a heftier price. Here’s why and how.
Three distinct but related reports of note from today. (1) US engaged in indirect talks with Iran through Omani mediator: (1) talks were on curbing Iran’s expanding nuclear program; (2) and US asked Iran to throttle Ansarallah’s activities; and (3) Ansarallah tested a hypersonic missile. The reports indicate that major escalation is likely in Red Sea/Gulf of Aden.
Ansarallah’s spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yahya Sariʾi announces new phase of operations against US and UK naval coalition that included a swarm attack of 37 drones at naval vessels; and several anti-ship ballistic missiles at an American merchant vessel.
The duel on the Ukrainian battlefield, where vaunted American Abrams M1/AI tanks fell to Russian ‘Ghoul’ FPV drones, indicates that U.S. Army land warfare doctrines are due for re-evaluation. The multi-million-dollar tanks were easily felled by $500 drones. Re-thinks by strategists at the U.S. Army War College are overdue.
Essay evaluates the maturing ‘Tripartite Alliance’—Russia, China, Iran—at the two-year anniversary of the Ukraine War, which fused the Alliance. Anger at U.S. and NATO transformed hitherto wary allies into partners. Part 1, background; Part 2, cooperation—with emphasis on Iran-Russia military and intelligence exchanges. How will the Iran-Russia military relationship impact on U.S. and Israel?
Nobody likes a bully; and USA is a loud-mouthed bully. Iranians resent 125+ years of foreign interference in their affairs. Tehran has responded to USA’s ‘maximum pressure’ and ‘bomb Iran’ threats by enhancing Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capacities. IRGC can ‘kill’ US aircraft carriers outside Persian Gulf. Iran is prepared for an ‘inevitable war.’ Washington underestimates Iranian tenacity and military technologies
Note on the term ‘Afghan’ as an ethnonym and ‘Afghanistan’ as a toponym based on pre-modern histories and geographies.
Nishapur has the dubious distinction of being ruined frequently by earthquakes and invaders. It was home to Omar Khayyam and Farid al-Din Attar, and devastated in AH 618/AD 1221 by the Mongol army commanded by Tolui, Chingiz Khan’s son. An overview of the fortifications of Nishapur; and excavation at Shadiyakh palace, HQ of Abdallah b. Tahir, Khurasan’s Abbasid governor
Introduction to a series on fortifications of the Islamic east, and the changing character of war. In this first post, a brief look at the layout of Fort Juwayn, Khurasan (a province split between Iran and Afghanistan), as it stood in 1884
Perspectives 
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