Either's an option, I expect. If he was an Official Useful Idiot, I expect we'll start seeing his brethren come out of the woodwork. If he was Unofficial, on the other hand, it'll just be business as usual.
Keep your heads on a swivel, folks. Tonight at sunset (Jerusalem time), Purim begins. If you don't know what Purim is, read the Book of Esther in the Old Testament of the Bible.
The Cliff Notes version is "existential struggle between Jews and Persian official; Jews win".
It would not surprise me in the least if somebody somewhere has orders to rewrite the ending of that story in the next 36 hours.
Excellent advice! Thanks for the explanation (in easy to understand prose) of just how the Iranian Regime functioned on the international front.
I suspect there will be Trouble, especially in areas with large Islamic populations, government (especially military) presence or critical (energy, data) infrastructure.
Ian makes a point that I hadn't considered (and one I'm willing to accept as he's had a LOT more experience with this corner of the world than I): I'd have personally expected Quds to maintain a much tighter rein on whatever sleepers are present here in the US. Simultaneous release to objectives would certainly enhance the visibility of whatever action they'd take, and it would put an unmistakable thumbprint on it from Iran.
On the other hand, I'd expect that someone Who Believes that his actions can cause the last Mahdi to poke his nose out of whatever cavern he's been hiding in.... might start to get impatient enough to be difficult to control.
Sadly and realistically, I expect at least some degree of Islamic useful idiots or planned operators to cut loose in coming weeks, with varying degrees of success depending on how frothing they are, or how carefully they have sussed out a target.
For myself, I plan on avoiding the military bases in my neck of the woods, as well as any large and well-known establishments of religion, Jewish and Christian both, and keeping my head on a swivel watching for nervous-looking gentleman of African or middle-eastern extraction wearing too thick a coat for mild weather.
Agreed (just look at what happened in Pakistan over the weekend). Regardless of their motivation, you're still just as dead whether the attacker was a true believer or an actual operator.
And yeah, for goshsakes, make sure that if you do come across an excited Military Aged Male wearing a too-heavy overcoat, make sure everyone's away from him before you drill him (if possible). Dead-man switches are a thing.
Carrying 17 in the mag instead of 10 or so isn't easy. It's worth it when you are your own first responder, and the second responders might not be as understanding as you first thought. I hope your selection isn't too spendy; as you know, freedom isn't free. Thanks for the geopolitical update as well. :^)
I wondered if the choice of Austin held particular significance since we relatively recently outlawed sharia law in this state...
I'd be interested in seeing if he had any pre-2000 trips to the Sudan.
BTW, NightCafe stepped it back, and now they are not going to force-expire credits...they got a bit of pushback on that...funny that.
The HiDream seems to be doing okay for you, though. Just wanted to let you know about NightCafe.
As for the essay, informative as always, thank you.
An idle thought is whether the guy in Austin was one of those useful idiots you mention, or just a natural idiot.
Either's an option, I expect. If he was an Official Useful Idiot, I expect we'll start seeing his brethren come out of the woodwork. If he was Unofficial, on the other hand, it'll just be business as usual.
Keep your heads on a swivel, folks. Tonight at sunset (Jerusalem time), Purim begins. If you don't know what Purim is, read the Book of Esther in the Old Testament of the Bible.
The Cliff Notes version is "existential struggle between Jews and Persian official; Jews win".
It would not surprise me in the least if somebody somewhere has orders to rewrite the ending of that story in the next 36 hours.
Stay safe.
As per usual dissecting a situation nobody else seems to know anything about. A pleasure to read.
Excellent advice! Thanks for the explanation (in easy to understand prose) of just how the Iranian Regime functioned on the international front.
I suspect there will be Trouble, especially in areas with large Islamic populations, government (especially military) presence or critical (energy, data) infrastructure.
Thank you, I do enjoy these brief writings, lots of good info in them.
Ian makes a point that I hadn't considered (and one I'm willing to accept as he's had a LOT more experience with this corner of the world than I): I'd have personally expected Quds to maintain a much tighter rein on whatever sleepers are present here in the US. Simultaneous release to objectives would certainly enhance the visibility of whatever action they'd take, and it would put an unmistakable thumbprint on it from Iran.
On the other hand, I'd expect that someone Who Believes that his actions can cause the last Mahdi to poke his nose out of whatever cavern he's been hiding in.... might start to get impatient enough to be difficult to control.
Sadly and realistically, I expect at least some degree of Islamic useful idiots or planned operators to cut loose in coming weeks, with varying degrees of success depending on how frothing they are, or how carefully they have sussed out a target.
For myself, I plan on avoiding the military bases in my neck of the woods, as well as any large and well-known establishments of religion, Jewish and Christian both, and keeping my head on a swivel watching for nervous-looking gentleman of African or middle-eastern extraction wearing too thick a coat for mild weather.
Agreed (just look at what happened in Pakistan over the weekend). Regardless of their motivation, you're still just as dead whether the attacker was a true believer or an actual operator.
And yeah, for goshsakes, make sure that if you do come across an excited Military Aged Male wearing a too-heavy overcoat, make sure everyone's away from him before you drill him (if possible). Dead-man switches are a thing.
As the Troublemaking evildoer in Austin TX did. Allegedly an "inspired" vs. "directed" actor.
These tend to be "lone wolf" types that can be difficult to predict and intercept by Forces of Law & Order.
Good reason to stay wary and well-equipped.
"Boy, that didn’t endear me to a bunch of people."
Dog people of a certain sort?
Brilliant work and word choice sir.
Carrying 17 in the mag instead of 10 or so isn't easy. It's worth it when you are your own first responder, and the second responders might not be as understanding as you first thought. I hope your selection isn't too spendy; as you know, freedom isn't free. Thanks for the geopolitical update as well. :^)