(Institute for the Study of War)
US-Iran Negotiations: Iranian officials are refusing to negotiate limits to Iran’s ballistic missile program because the ballistic missile program forms an integral part of Iranian defense strategy. Any changes to this strategy would require a strategic rethink that would take months, if not years.
US Support for Iranian Protests: The United States smuggled 6,000 Starlink terminals into Iran during the recent protest wave in order to help protesters “circumvent internet shut-offs” and overthrow the regime, according to US officials speaking to the Wall Street Journal. The regime has taken extreme steps to stop protesters’ use of Starlink, including prior to this recent protest wave.
US Transfer of ISIS Detainees from Syria to Iraq: US Central Command (CENTCOM) completed its mission to transfer over 5,700 Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) detainees from Syria to Iraq on February 12. The United States will reportedly withdraw US forces from bases in northeastern Syria “in the coming days and weeks.”
Escapes from al Hol Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp: ISIS-affiliated residents of al Hol IDP camp have reportedly continued to escape from the camp on February 13, likely due in part to Syrian government forces’ lack of discipline and training. Other ISIS-affiliated families have reportedly escaped from al Hol to other Syrian provinces and Lebanon in recent days, possibly with support from ISIS-affiliated networks.
