FDD's Long War Journal

IRGC

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards prepare for war

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Analysis: Cold War with Iran heats up across Mideast

At least a dozen Syrian secret police have defected from an intelligence compound. The main opposition leader said that a post-Assad regime would would drop special ties to Iran. The Arab League won’t lift sanctions against Syria even after the country accepted its proposal on observers.

Palestinian Territories

Hamas is abandoning its headquarters in Syria and looking at other Arab states for a replacement. In response, Iran threatened to cut Hamas’ funds and arms supply.

Afghanistan

US-Iran row overshadows Afghan conference

Analysis: The US-Pakistan relationship and the critical factor of supply

The US military’s supply routes through Pakistan to Afghanistan constitute a major vulnerability for the US in its relations with Pakistan. That may change in the near future.

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Former top Israeli general says explosions that reportedly hit Iranian nuclear sites were not accidents

Somalia

Shabaab warned Ethiopia that any military intervention in Somalia will result in “heavy” losses for its forces. Hundreds of Ethiopian troops with tanks and artillery reportedly reached parts of Hiran region in central Somalia on Saturday. Shabaab fighters beheaded two young boys in the Afmadow district of lower Jubba region.

European Union

Analysis – EU may believe it can afford to ban Iran’s oil

Iraq

Insurgents killed 15 Iraqis in bombings and attacks in Baghdad and Anbar provinces. The US Army said the Iran-backed Asaib al Haq is stepping up attacks to “to give the impression that our forces are being chased and forced to leave.”

United States

Mysterious explosions pose dilemma for Iranian leaders

Lebanon

Report: Iran lawmaker says 12 CIA agents arrested

Saudi Arabia

Two people were killed and three more were wounded during clashes with security forces in Eastern province. The Interior Ministry claimed that “foreign powers,” a reference to Iran, are responsible.

Syria

Turkey’s Prime Minister urged Syrian President Assad to step down or risk a tragic end. The UN Human Right Commission voted to condemn Syria. France said there were no plans for military intervention in Syria. Syria plans to use Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon to counter economic sanctions.

Lebanon

The CIA’s operations in Lebanon were badly damaged when Hezbollah captured more than a dozen US spies. In addition, Iranian intelligence agents discovered a secret Internet communication method used by CIA agents in Iran.

2 Brits thought killed in US drone strike in Pakistan

The families of Ibrahim Adam and Mohammed Azmir said they were killed in a strike in the Waziristan region three months ago. Azmir was the brother of a senior al Qaeda leader who also killed in Pakistan. Adam fled Briton while under a controversial “control order” for terrorism charges.

IAEA

UN nuclear chief says must alert world about Iran

Norway

Mikael Davud, one of three accused of plotting terrorist acts, told the court he had asked al Qaeda in Iran for training but was trained by an unnamed group. Prosecutors plan to show he trained at an al Qaeda camp in Pakistan. The accused may avoid conviction of conspiracy by maintaining they did not collaborate […]