The Loopcast

Phillip Smyth (@phillipsmyth) and I (@rejectionking) discuss whether the war in Syria can be considered a Shia jihad. The discussion opens up with an update on the war in Syria, followed by discussion of the transnational aspect of the war in Syria for Shia that includes a focus on sectarianism, the concept of defensive jihad, Iran's role, and Shia militia's media and music. Please check out Phillip's work at "Hizballah Cavalcade" including "The Lion of Damascus, and Afghans, and Africans! Oh my!: Fighters from Exotic Locales in Syria's Shia Militias", "Liwa'a 'Ammar Ibn Yasir: A New Shia Militia Operating in Aleppo, Syria", and "The Songs of Liwa'a Abu Fadl al-Abbas: Militant Iraqi Shia Music and Syria".  

Reza H. Akbari (@rezahakbari) talks to me (@rejectionking) about the makeup of Rouhani's cabinet. Our talk covered the political and legal process through which Rouhani built his cabinet, who were the choices for the various ministries, what is the perception of those choices internationally and domestic, and what can we expect from Rouhani's first hundred days. Reza and Matthew Reed (@matthewmreed) have written an article on the considerations going in to Rouhani's first hundred days in office. It can be found here. If you're interested in viewing a comprehensive list of Rouhani's cabinet choices Arash (@thekarami) has one up at Iran Pulse, which can be found here.  

Reza H. Akbari (@rezahakbari) talks to me (@rejectionking) about the makeup of Rouhani's cabinet. Our talk covered the political and legal process through which Rouhani built his cabinet, who were the choices for the various ministries, what is the perception of those choices internationally and domestic, and what can we expect from Rouhani's first hundred days. Reza and Matthew Reed (@matthewmreed) have written an article on the considerations going in to Rouhani's first hundred days in office. It can be found here. If you're interested in viewing a comprehensive list of Rouhani's cabinet choices Arash (@thekarami) has one up at Iran Pulse, which can be found here.  

Reza H. Akbari (@rezahakbari) talks to me (@rejectionking) about the makeup of Rouhani's cabinet. Our talk covered the political and legal process through which Rouhani built his cabinet, who were the choices for the various ministries, what is the perception of those choices internationally and domestic, and what can we expect from Rouhani's first hundred days. Reza and Matthew Reed (@matthewmreed) have written an article on the considerations going in to Rouhani's first hundred days in office. It can be found here. If you're interested in viewing a comprehensive list of Rouhani's cabinet choices Arash (@thekarami) has one up at Iran Pulse, which can be found here.  

 Christopher Anzalone (@ibnsiqilli) talks to me (@rejectionking) about his latest paper in the CTC: "Zaynab's Guardians: The Emergence of Shi'a Militias in Syria." In our discussion we talk about the media used by Shia militias to create mobilization frames including how religious imagery is meshed with political images, then we discuss how Sunni jihadists factor into these mobilization frames and end with a discussion on if the Syrian war can be thought of as a transnational "Shia Jihad."

 Christopher Anzalone (@ibnsiqilli) talks to me (@rejectionking) about his latest paper in the CTC: "Zaynab's Guardians: The Emergence of Shi'a Militias in Syria." In our discussion we talk about the media used by Shia militias to create mobilization frames including how religious imagery is meshed with political images, then we discuss how Sunni jihadists factor into these mobilization frames and end with a discussion on if the Syrian war can be thought of as a transnational "Shia Jihad."

 Christopher Anzalone (@ibnsiqilli) talks to me (@rejectionking) about his latest paper in the CTC: "Zaynab's Guardians: The Emergence of Shi'a Militias in Syria." In our discussion we talk about the media used by Shia militias to create mobilization frames including how religious imagery is meshed with political images, then we discuss how Sunni jihadists factor into these mobilization frames and end with a discussion on if the Syrian war can be thought of as a transnational "Shia Jihad."

Will Fulton (@FultonWill) talks to me (@rejectionking) about his new paper "The IRGC Command Network: Formal Structures and Informal Influence". The focus of the interview includes a discussion of Will's paper, the history of the IRGC's command network, what are the views of this group on pressing Iranian security issues, its reaction to Hassan Rouhani, and lastly what should we expect of Rouhani in regards to how he will deal with the IRGC command network. You can check out more of Will's work at Iran Tracker, part of AEI's Critical Threats Project including Iranian Strategy in Syria.

Will Fulton (@FultonWill) talks to me (@rejectionking) about his new paper "The IRGC Command Network: Formal Structures and Informal Influence". The focus of the interview includes a discussion of Will's paper, the history of the IRGC's command network, what are the views of this group on pressing Iranian security issues, its reaction to Hassan Rouhani, and lastly what should we expect of Rouhani in regards to how he will deal with the IRGC command network. You can check out more of Will's work at Iran Tracker, part of AEI's Critical Threats Project including Iranian Strategy in Syria.

Will Fulton (@FultonWill) talks to me (@rejectionking) about his new paper "The IRGC Command Network: Formal Structures and Informal Influence". The focus of the interview includes a discussion of Will's paper, the history of the IRGC's command network, what are the views of this group on pressing Iranian security issues, its reaction to Hassan Rouhani, and lastly what should we expect of Rouhani in regards to how he will deal with the IRGC command network. You can check out more of Will's work at Iran Tracker, part of AEI's Critical Threats Project including Iranian Strategy in Syria.

Tor Ekeland (@torekelandpc), who is representing Andrew Auernheimer aka Weev pro bono, and I (@rejectionking) discuss Weev's case, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and the implications for security research. You can find links to amicus briefs on Tor Ekeland's website including briefs from prominent security researchers, the Mozilla Foundation, the Digital Media Law Project, and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Make sure to check out the appeal filed with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals which you can find here. For those interested in the original criminal complaint you can find it here.

Tor Ekeland (@torekelandpc), who is representing Andrew Auernheimer aka Weev pro bono, and I (@rejectionking) discuss Weev's case, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and the implications for security research. You can find links to amicus briefs on Tor Ekeland's website including briefs from prominent security researchers, the Mozilla Foundation, the Digital Media Law Project, and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Make sure to check out the appeal filed with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals which you can find here. For those interested in the original criminal complaint you can find it here.

Tor Ekeland (@torekelandpc), who is representing Andrew Auernheimer aka Weev pro bono, and I (@rejectionking) discuss Weev's case, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and the implications for security research. You can find links to amicus briefs on Tor Ekeland's website including briefs from prominent security researchers, the Mozilla Foundation, the Digital Media Law Project, and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Make sure to check out the appeal filed with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals which you can find here. For those interested in the original criminal complaint you can find it here.

Kevan Harris (@kevanharris) talks to me (@rejectionking) about the Iranian economy including history, key actors and factors, the role sanctions have played, and the challenges of the economy that Rouhani faces. You can check Kevan's work out here.

Kevan Harris (@kevanharris) talks to me (@rejectionking) about the Iranian economy including history, key actors and factors, the role sanctions have played, and the challenges of the economy that Rouhani faces. You can check Kevan's work out here.