History, Religion, Politics, Culture, and Travels in the Islamic World
On Tue. evening, 1 Sep., Trump, following Obama’s practices from AFPAK, bombed a wedding in Sirik, Iran, killing and injuring scores of men, women, and children. This has opened the gates for Iran to retaliate disproportionately. A “perfect storm”—economic and military—is brewing against the US. Will Tehran press its advantage?
Iranian Jews represent the oldest continuous Jewish community in the Middle East. They have a 3,000-year history that predates and belies Israeli narratives. Iran’s Jewish community is anti-Zionist and patriotic; they challenge Western assumptions and propaganda by thriving in Iran. Iran’s Jewish community is explored in the independent documentary, “Uncaptured: Jews in the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Notes on US Government’s censorship of Iran War losses and US media’s self-censorship of same; demise of US bases in Middle East; “Economic D-Day”; likelihood of resumption of kinetic actions; and “Perspectives” podcast schedule.
US and Israel handed Tehran the precious gift of nuclear ambiguity. Before 13 June 2025, Iran had the most open nuclear program in the world; today, the most opaque program. 440.9kg of 60% “highly-enriched uranium” survives at scattered sites; there is no single target for Special Forces or USAF to strike. The hoopla about “Pickaxe Mountain” is manufactured by Israel to force Trump to attack and re-ignite the Iran War.
In 2025 and 2026, US and Israeli wars against Iran transformed Tehran's nuclear program from transparent to highly opaque. Iran now possesses 440.9kg of scattered highly-enriched uranium, complicating potential strikes by US forces. The mention of “Pickaxe Mountain” reflects disinformation tactics employed by Israel.
“The Iranian missile cities the US could not destroy” by the Financial Times caused a stir, but Iran specialists knew that underground bases were selected for their geography and geology. They are impregnable. Evidence and analysis in the essay.
Podcast of essay published this day. Essay has details, links, and images
American generals have failed so badly in the Iran War that they are reduced to crowdsourcing (by email) for ideas on combatting Iran. Almost everyone (“regardless of rank”) can chime in.
Videos of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s life and funeral. The six day event over five cities in Iraq and Iran drew 40–43 million mourners in six cities across Iraq and Iran, making it the largest funeral in recorded history. It is likely to be included in the Guinness Book of Records.
US has surged men and material to the Mideast, but Trump is hesitating on escalating. There have been no attacks on Iran for two days. However, his boss is visiting the White House. Once Netanyahu disciplines his errant employee, the war will resume with great intensity. Meanwhile, Iranian media published the list of US losses of equipment over the past 15-day period.
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