For anyone without a short-term memory, this brings back memories of Talon Anvil, the U.S. military strike cell that ostensibly targeted ISIS but was later found to have repeatedly killed Syrian civilians.

This piece focuses on the words "merciless Indian savages", but what follows is as important: "whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions." At least if you've heard of Sand Creek, Wounded Knee, Bud Dajo or My Lai. truthout.org/articles/the...

As someone who, due to unfortunate circumstances, never earned a university degree, yet later worked as a research consultant for universities, including an Ivy League institution, I wholeheartedly agree with this.

An article worth sharing from the height of the U.S.-Israeli war. It examines how the Islamic Republic framed Mojtaba Khamenei's public absence in messianic terms, drawing on Shi'a beliefs around the Hidden Imam and his zuhur mikonad — "he will appear."

"While coming to terms with the idea of the additional costs, European countries have pressed Iranian and Omani officials not to discriminate against ships based on their nationality." I remember Merz (Germany) and Yeşilgöz (Netherlands) saying Israel is doing ‘dirty work for us’ in Iran.

The latest layoffs at the Washington Post, including reporters who bravely documented Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza, show that it's not only democracy dying in darkness, but accountability as well.

An account of Kharg Island during the war: “The island’s native residents, who probably number fewer than 50, stayed where they were. Every night they would sit beside the runway, smoke hookah, and gaze out at the sea. Do you know what their greatest concern was? The gazelles.”

“Drie gevluchte Syrische archeologen werken nu bij het Rijksmuseum voor Oudheden in Leiden. Daar catalogiseren ze Mesopotamische vondsten uit hun vaderland.” Prachtig.

At Martyrs' Square in Beirut some time ago, where memory and political resistance have met for more than a century. Photo by @baydoun.nl.

A source in Gaza City recently told me that the sight of the rubble filled them with melancholy for what it once was. They described adapting to a way of living that can be summed up as: "It will stay this way until it gets worse."

An examination of the judicial system in Iran through its emphasis on victims’ rights, forgiveness, and mercy, and is based on extensive research conducted in criminal courts in Tehran.

The Netherlands and the EU have so far refused to use their deep economic ties with Israel as leverage to stop Israel’s crimes of occupation, genocide and apartheid. These Files show that, far from sanctioning, the Netherlands is in fact facilitating the Israeli economy.

Doctrinal chief in Rome says the European Union applies international law selectively, sanctioning some military invasions but not others.

What gets lost in this whole discussion is that there is literally nobody without politics, including journalists, despite the fact that many like to pretend otherwise. That is even more true in the Israeli-Palestinian context and the broader region.

“For suffering to matter, for it to be news, for something to be done about it, it has historically helped if the pain being documented is politically convenient – a betrayal of the promise and ideal of humanitarian journalism.” aeon.co/essays/how-m...

The past three years have introduced me to gray facial hairs, although for now I am relieved that there are only a few.

“The Israeli officer corps are aware they can’t demand more and more sacrifices from the public all the time, but the public is also more willing to accept a significant level of hardship.” From an interview by @ajaltamimi.bsky.social w/ analyst in Israel during U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

"While the film is not an autobiography, its emotional terrain belongs to Aris: a relationship with his homeland marked, as he puts it, 'by a profound attachment to Lebanon that so many of us love but at the same time hate because it makes us suffer to see how it's bleeding.'"

A Palestinian friend of mine in Gaza wrote this to me yesterday. I'm often my own harshest critic, and it means a great deal to hear this from someone who has endured far more than I have, yet is still so full of empathy.

Just finished the Dutch translation of For the Sun After Long Nights (Zusters in Iran) by my friend @ntabrizy.bsky.social and her co-author Fatemeh Jamalpour. A powerful and deeply human book about identity, exile, resilience, oppression, equality, and the enduring struggle for dignity in Iran.

Again, the Western media continues to fail in reporting this objectively. While I despise Hezbollah for what it has done to my Lebanese and Syrian friends, the fact remains that Lebanese people have the right to resist foreign occupation.

The solution to this is very straightforward and could be an option for Vance to put his money where his mouth is: a full arms embargo and suspension of U.S. aid.

It appears that Tehran is looking to re-establish its forward defense doctrine, which is to the detriment of the Lebanese state and, quite frankly, also has the opposite effect from an Israeli perspective of what its military campaign sought to achieve.

It is surely funny to watch Israeli hubris result in a complete meltdown. But while we're at it, I suggest the international community finally force Israel to end its illegal occupation of Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese land. "Thank you for paying attention to this matter."

Finished Sina Azodi’s Iran and the Bomb. Leaving this excerpt here because, whether we agree with it or not, understanding this logic is essential to seriously analyzing Iran’s strategic thinking and approach to nuclear capability.

No matter what the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Iran might consist of, the reality is that the Iranian people will remain stuck in a state of istisal. If you're unfamiliar with the term, think of helplessness, desperation, and being at a standstill.

I'm a firm believer that you have to familiarize yourself with a country's history, culture, people, lived experiences, traumas, and grievances in order to properly analyze it. Without it, you're often analyzing events without understanding the context that shaped them.

The problem with Lebanon's ceasefire is that the U.S. and Iran appear to have accepted a deal where Dahieh is supposedly "off limits," while Israel retains freedom of action in the south. One does not need to be a genius to see that this perpetuates the cycle of violence.

After months of working together on Iran, the dearest @ntabrizy.bsky.social and I finally got to meet in what I consider the most beautiful city in the Netherlands. Given that open-source investigators spend much time documenting horror, it's also worth sharing the happy moments.

"[D]ouble-tap strikes." "Across multiple verified cases in Karaj and Tehran, New Lines found that initial strikes were followed by additional explosions that occurred in close proximity to civilian activity." #USA #Israel #Iran #Military

NEW: Our visual analysis suggests the U.S. hit two drinking-water facilities overnight in southern Iran with precision-guided munitions. Deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime. w/ @ckoettl.bsky.social @johnismay.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/w...

Out of curiosity, I took the time to count some of the geolocations I've publicly shared over the past three years: 555. That doesn't include all the ones I've done, as some were never published or were reserved for clients. At $20 per geolocation, that would come to $11,100.

The Israeli military has approved plans for renewed fighting in Gaza.

Some victims count more than others. We see it in journalism, research, and in the stories we choose to tell. The question is not whether it happens, but what we do when we recognize it. My reflection on dehumanization and choice.

Some victims count more than others. We see it in journalism, research, and in the stories we choose to tell. The question is not whether it happens, but what we do when we recognize it. My reflection on dehumanization and choice.

Yes, unfortunately some victims seem to count more than others, especially in parts of the Western media. What is also clear is that media plays an important role in advancing certain foreign policy interests, even if those involved are not always conscious of it themselves.

I'd like to share this again as a reminder that ethics should be prioritized when conducting open-source research on Iran. Not everything needs to be geolocated and shared publicly. Goal is not just to verify information, but also to avoid causing harm to the people behind it.

Reading now the Dutch translation of For the Sun After Long Nights: The Story of Iran’s Women-Led Uprising (Zusters in Iran) by my investigative partner (and dear friend) @ntabrizy.bsky.social (who should be active on here again) and her co-author Fatemeh Jamalpour.

Finished. Here are some excerpts from this thought-provoking book that I thought are worth sharing.

Analysis by @sanjanamv.bsky.social on Israel’s use of white phosphorus in Lebanon and the dangers it poses to public health and the land, with a reference to @baydoun.nl's visual database documenting its use and commentary from @wammezz.bsky.social. .

Next week, the great @ntabrizy.bsky.social will be at @debalie.bsky.social to speak about her years of experience using OSINT to report on Iran, covering protests, state repression, and the U.S.-Israeli military campaigns. ++ You can say hi to fellow investigators such as @baydoun.nl and myself.

“The appearance is middle class, but the pocket and the bank card are empty of money to cover bread and cheese.”

As Q2 nears its end, I'm sharing investigations and publications to which I have contributed or have been featured as an independent investigator. My recent work has focused on Iran, while I've also added earlier investigations from recent years on Gaza and the West Bank.

“Sanctions relief is not important for us anymore because we know it won’t come, and even if it comes it won’t be long-lasting,” one Iranian analyst told us. “We’re not making the same mistakes as before. Now managing Hormuz is the key.”

My dear friend and colleague, @ntabrizy.bsky.social, will be speaking this month at De Balie in Amsterdam about reporting on Iran through OSINT. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Nilo on several investigations and will also be there, so I highly recommend attending.

It is cowardice masquerading as objectivity when reporters continue to describe this as a “fragile ceasefire.” They have a moral obligation to call mass violence what it is. If they cannot, or are too afraid, then they should reconsider whether they belong in this profession.

Reading now.

It’s problematic how little due diligence some people do before amplifying regime apologists like Bushra. A few minutes is enough to find a record of atrocity denial, which should end any claim to credibility on human rights.

The awards given throughout the year for the brave reporting and documentation of Israel’s genocidal violence in Gaza should first be seen as recognition of all that has been lost, and second as a big fuck you to every morally corrupt scumbag who continues to defend it.

ICYMI: