A Note on Pathans (Pashtuns or Afghans)

Note on the term ‘Afghan’ as an ethnonym and ‘Afghanistan’ as a toponym based on pre-modern histories and geographies.

Fortifications of the Pre-Modern Islamic World: Shadiyakh, Nishapur (Khurasan, Iran)

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

Fortifications of the Pre-Modern Islamic World: Introduction

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

War of the Flea in the Red Sea

Robert Taber’s classic study offers insights into Ansarallah’s (Houthi’s) Red Sea campaign. Five characteristics of ‘protracted war’ apply to Yemen. ‘Popular support’ in is with Ansarallah. This is demonstrated every Friday by the millions of Yemenis that assemble after prayers to support Palestine and oppose U.S./UK airstrikes. Even Ansarallah’s civil war enemies have drifted to their camp.

Ansarallah and Royal Navy: Lesson from the Falklands War

Argentina’s sinking of HMS Sheffield in 1982 offers a lesson on how Ansarallah can defeat British aggression against the Yemeni people. Sheffield’s demise sent shockwaves through Britain. But Britain had a path to victory in the Falklands that it does not have in the Red Sea. If Ansarallah sinks a Royal Navy ship, which they can, it will likely end the British mission. It almost certainly will end Rishi Sunak’s premiership.

Russia-Iran Military Exchanges: Part 3

Iran is supplying Russia with 400 Fatih-110 and Zulfiqar missiles. Missile deliveries began in January. This is not ‘news’ because the deal has been in the offing since late 2022; and no Fatih-110 or Zulfiqar missiles have been used in Ukraine. But it has been unofficially confirmed by Iranian and Russian sources

Lebanon-Syria-Hezbollah SITREP

Iran is supplying its Khordad-15 air defense system to the Syrian and Lebanese armies. Since October 2023, Iranian cargo aircraft have been using Russia airbases in Syria. A report claims that Hezbollah sends its older weapons to Russia for the Ukraine War; while advanced Iranian weaponry is safely delivered to Hezbollah through Russian airbases in Syria.

How IRGC Defeats THAAD Interceptors

Lockheed Martin’s ‘Terminal High Altitude Area Defense’ (THAAD) is the only American system designed to intercept targets outside and inside the atmosphere. However, IRGC Aerospace demonstrated that its ‘Dezful’ medium-range ballistic missile’s MaRV is capable of maneuvering below THAAD’s ‘engagement envelope’ to reach its target.

Iran’s new ‘Azarakhsh’ Air Defense System

Iranian short-range air defense system, Azarakhsh, probably designed for export. It offer an array of electro-optical and infrared sensors, and can operate in all-weather

Russia-Iran Military Exchanges: Part 2

Ukrainian intelligence claims that Iranian IRGC and Hizballah are training Russian soldiers in Syria to use combat drones. It also claims that Syrian soldiers are training to fight alongside Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Addresses the importance of Iran’s military contributions to Russia in the Ukraine War.