Sina Toossi
@sinatoossi.bsky.social
senior fellow at the @CIPolicy.bsky.social | write a lot about Iran, US foreign policy, Middle East | bylines Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Guardian & elsewhere | check out my substack: dissidentforeignpolicy.com
5/ Israeli analysts' Telegram channel:
"In Beit Jann they are occupied with the funerals of those who were eliminated, and in the background you can hear the noise of the Israeli aircraft circling overhead."
"In Beit Jann they are occupied with the funerals of those who were eliminated, and in the background you can hear the noise of the Israeli aircraft circling overhead."
November 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
5/ Israeli analysts' Telegram channel:
"In Beit Jann they are occupied with the funerals of those who were eliminated, and in the background you can hear the noise of the Israeli aircraft circling overhead."
"In Beit Jann they are occupied with the funerals of those who were eliminated, and in the background you can hear the noise of the Israeli aircraft circling overhead."
4/ Israeli analysts such as Yossi Eliezer frame the protests as justification for more Israeli intervention in Syria.
They regularly invoke Syrian “minorities” to legitimize their involvement.
They regularly invoke Syrian “minorities” to legitimize their involvement.
November 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
4/ Israeli analysts such as Yossi Eliezer frame the protests as justification for more Israeli intervention in Syria.
They regularly invoke Syrian “minorities” to legitimize their involvement.
They regularly invoke Syrian “minorities” to legitimize their involvement.
3/ Syria is also seeing large demonstrations backing the Al-Sharaa government and condemning Israel.
They come just days after Al-Sharaa’s anniversary speech marking his rise to power, where he urged Syrians to take to the streets and “express joy” over Assad’s fall.
They come just days after Al-Sharaa’s anniversary speech marking his rise to power, where he urged Syrians to take to the streets and “express joy” over Assad’s fall.
November 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM
3/ Syria is also seeing large demonstrations backing the Al-Sharaa government and condemning Israel.
They come just days after Al-Sharaa’s anniversary speech marking his rise to power, where he urged Syrians to take to the streets and “express joy” over Assad’s fall.
They come just days after Al-Sharaa’s anniversary speech marking his rise to power, where he urged Syrians to take to the streets and “express joy” over Assad’s fall.
Israeli analysts are whipping up a more fervor against Syria as Israel expands its attacks.
On Telegram, Eran Lahav, fresh off a program with FDD, casts Syria’s internal dynamics as “Al-Jolani’s sophisticated jihad.”
The narrative is clearly primed for more attacks.
🧵>>>
On Telegram, Eran Lahav, fresh off a program with FDD, casts Syria’s internal dynamics as “Al-Jolani’s sophisticated jihad.”
The narrative is clearly primed for more attacks.
🧵>>>
November 29, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Israeli analysts are whipping up a more fervor against Syria as Israel expands its attacks.
On Telegram, Eran Lahav, fresh off a program with FDD, casts Syria’s internal dynamics as “Al-Jolani’s sophisticated jihad.”
The narrative is clearly primed for more attacks.
🧵>>>
On Telegram, Eran Lahav, fresh off a program with FDD, casts Syria’s internal dynamics as “Al-Jolani’s sophisticated jihad.”
The narrative is clearly primed for more attacks.
🧵>>>
13/ And the cooperation then was extensive: Israel became Pretoria’s top arms supplier, built up its weapons industry, shared missile and nuclear know-how, provided uranium, trained its security forces and offered the political cover that kept apartheid afloat under sanctions.
November 28, 2025 at 6:38 PM
13/ And the cooperation then was extensive: Israel became Pretoria’s top arms supplier, built up its weapons industry, shared missile and nuclear know-how, provided uranium, trained its security forces and offered the political cover that kept apartheid afloat under sanctions.
8/ And strategically, the "Soviet bogeyman" project to sustain apartheid failed.
Zimbabwe rejected Pretoria’s vision of a South African-led bloc & instead helped build regional solidarity against apartheid.
For most of Africa & the world, apartheid was “more evil than socialism."
Zimbabwe rejected Pretoria’s vision of a South African-led bloc & instead helped build regional solidarity against apartheid.
For most of Africa & the world, apartheid was “more evil than socialism."
November 28, 2025 at 6:36 PM
8/ And strategically, the "Soviet bogeyman" project to sustain apartheid failed.
Zimbabwe rejected Pretoria’s vision of a South African-led bloc & instead helped build regional solidarity against apartheid.
For most of Africa & the world, apartheid was “more evil than socialism."
Zimbabwe rejected Pretoria’s vision of a South African-led bloc & instead helped build regional solidarity against apartheid.
For most of Africa & the world, apartheid was “more evil than socialism."
7/ But South Africa's vast militarized project ultimately sped up apartheid’s collapse. The brutality of regional destabilization deepened South Africa’s isolation.
By the late 1980s it couldn’t maintain both regional dominance and internal repression.
By the late 1980s it couldn’t maintain both regional dominance and internal repression.
November 28, 2025 at 6:36 PM
7/ But South Africa's vast militarized project ultimately sped up apartheid’s collapse. The brutality of regional destabilization deepened South Africa’s isolation.
By the late 1980s it couldn’t maintain both regional dominance and internal repression.
By the late 1980s it couldn’t maintain both regional dominance and internal repression.
6/ The human cost of South Africa's wars was catastrophic:
One study estimated over 1.5 million dead, over half of them children under five; half the populations of Mozambique & Angola displaced; and tens of billions in economic destruction that set the countries back decades.
One study estimated over 1.5 million dead, over half of them children under five; half the populations of Mozambique & Angola displaced; and tens of billions in economic destruction that set the countries back decades.
November 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
6/ The human cost of South Africa's wars was catastrophic:
One study estimated over 1.5 million dead, over half of them children under five; half the populations of Mozambique & Angola displaced; and tens of billions in economic destruction that set the countries back decades.
One study estimated over 1.5 million dead, over half of them children under five; half the populations of Mozambique & Angola displaced; and tens of billions in economic destruction that set the countries back decades.
5/ All of this was enabled by powerful Western states.
The US, UK, France, and West Germany saw Pretoria as a bulwark against the Soviets and provided political cover, strategic alignment, and the necessary resources for South Africa’s military machine to operate.
The US, UK, France, and West Germany saw Pretoria as a bulwark against the Soviets and provided political cover, strategic alignment, and the necessary resources for South Africa’s military machine to operate.
November 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
5/ All of this was enabled by powerful Western states.
The US, UK, France, and West Germany saw Pretoria as a bulwark against the Soviets and provided political cover, strategic alignment, and the necessary resources for South Africa’s military machine to operate.
The US, UK, France, and West Germany saw Pretoria as a bulwark against the Soviets and provided political cover, strategic alignment, and the necessary resources for South Africa’s military machine to operate.
4/ Most of the region’s landlocked economies were pushed into dependence on South African routes after Pretoria destroyed alternative transport corridors in Mozambique and Angola.
The strategy was military force fused with economic coercion.
The strategy was military force fused with economic coercion.
November 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
4/ Most of the region’s landlocked economies were pushed into dependence on South African routes after Pretoria destroyed alternative transport corridors in Mozambique and Angola.
The strategy was military force fused with economic coercion.
The strategy was military force fused with economic coercion.
3/ The scale was staggering: invasions of Angola, assassinations and raids in Lesotho, Swaziland, and Mozambique, and support for proxy forces like RENAMO and UNITA that terrorized civilians to keep frontline states weak.
November 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
3/ The scale was staggering: invasions of Angola, assassinations and raids in Lesotho, Swaziland, and Mozambique, and support for proxy forces like RENAMO and UNITA that terrorized civilians to keep frontline states weak.
2/ Apartheid South Africa sold its regional wars as a response to a Soviet “onslaught,” framing its aggression as self-defense.
In reality, the goal was to crush liberation movements, destabilize neighboring states, and preserve apartheid through force.
In reality, the goal was to crush liberation movements, destabilize neighboring states, and preserve apartheid through force.
November 28, 2025 at 6:33 PM
2/ Apartheid South Africa sold its regional wars as a response to a Soviet “onslaught,” framing its aggression as self-defense.
In reality, the goal was to crush liberation movements, destabilize neighboring states, and preserve apartheid through force.
In reality, the goal was to crush liberation movements, destabilize neighboring states, and preserve apartheid through force.
Apartheid South Africa waged endless regional wars under a “total strategy,” claiming it was fighting the Soviets while feeding off Western backing.
Israel now does the same with Iran.
But Pretoria’s militarism only brought isolation, economic strain & accelerated collapse.
🧵>>>
Israel now does the same with Iran.
But Pretoria’s militarism only brought isolation, economic strain & accelerated collapse.
🧵>>>
November 28, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Apartheid South Africa waged endless regional wars under a “total strategy,” claiming it was fighting the Soviets while feeding off Western backing.
Israel now does the same with Iran.
But Pretoria’s militarism only brought isolation, economic strain & accelerated collapse.
🧵>>>
Israel now does the same with Iran.
But Pretoria’s militarism only brought isolation, economic strain & accelerated collapse.
🧵>>>
New footage shows the aftermath of Israel’s strike on a busy traffic intersection near Tehran’s Tajrish Bazaar in the June war.
Cars & surrounding infrastructure destroyed, streets flooded, many killed or injured, people trying help each other at the scene.
Cars & surrounding infrastructure destroyed, streets flooded, many killed or injured, people trying help each other at the scene.
November 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
New footage shows the aftermath of Israel’s strike on a busy traffic intersection near Tehran’s Tajrish Bazaar in the June war.
Cars & surrounding infrastructure destroyed, streets flooded, many killed or injured, people trying help each other at the scene.
Cars & surrounding infrastructure destroyed, streets flooded, many killed or injured, people trying help each other at the scene.
The fact that the NYT even entertains such an outlandish, agenda-driven accusation isn’t just bad journalism.
It’s how establishment outlets police the boundaries of “acceptable” debate and manufacture controversy over positions & people they want to keep on the margins.
It’s how establishment outlets police the boundaries of “acceptable” debate and manufacture controversy over positions & people they want to keep on the margins.
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The fact that the NYT even entertains such an outlandish, agenda-driven accusation isn’t just bad journalism.
It’s how establishment outlets police the boundaries of “acceptable” debate and manufacture controversy over positions & people they want to keep on the margins.
It’s how establishment outlets police the boundaries of “acceptable” debate and manufacture controversy over positions & people they want to keep on the margins.
15/ Video of Trump's further remarks on Iran today: We have a very big meeting with them on Saturday. We’re dealing with them directly, not through surrogates. Maybe a deal will be made. It’ll be really great for Iran. We are meeting on Saturday at almost the highest level.
April 7, 2025 at 10:22 PM
15/ Video of Trump's further remarks on Iran today: We have a very big meeting with them on Saturday. We’re dealing with them directly, not through surrogates. Maybe a deal will be made. It’ll be really great for Iran. We are meeting on Saturday at almost the highest level.
🧵In a striking moment at the White House today, Trump told reporters that direct talks with Iran have begun—and will continue this Saturday.
The implications could be huge.
Here's why this matters and what could really be happening behind the scenes.
>>>
The implications could be huge.
Here's why this matters and what could really be happening behind the scenes.
>>>
April 7, 2025 at 10:08 PM
🧵In a striking moment at the White House today, Trump told reporters that direct talks with Iran have begun—and will continue this Saturday.
The implications could be huge.
Here's why this matters and what could really be happening behind the scenes.
>>>
The implications could be huge.
Here's why this matters and what could really be happening behind the scenes.
>>>
“Forgive me, mother. I chose a path that was helping people.”
He was a medic. Shot in the head by Israeli forces while saving lives. Buried in a mass grave.
Israel tried to cover it up. But video found on his body proves the truth.
Another atrocity in a genocidal war.
He was a medic. Shot in the head by Israeli forces while saving lives. Buried in a mass grave.
Israel tried to cover it up. But video found on his body proves the truth.
Another atrocity in a genocidal war.
April 5, 2025 at 7:27 PM
“Forgive me, mother. I chose a path that was helping people.”
He was a medic. Shot in the head by Israeli forces while saving lives. Buried in a mass grave.
Israel tried to cover it up. But video found on his body proves the truth.
Another atrocity in a genocidal war.
He was a medic. Shot in the head by Israeli forces while saving lives. Buried in a mass grave.
Israel tried to cover it up. But video found on his body proves the truth.
Another atrocity in a genocidal war.
Trump has reportedly fired several NSC staffers for being too hawkish.
Could Waltz be next? His call for a Libya-style dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program isn’t a path to a deal, it's a formula for making war inevitable.
Could Waltz be next? His call for a Libya-style dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program isn’t a path to a deal, it's a formula for making war inevitable.
April 3, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Trump has reportedly fired several NSC staffers for being too hawkish.
Could Waltz be next? His call for a Libya-style dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program isn’t a path to a deal, it's a formula for making war inevitable.
Could Waltz be next? His call for a Libya-style dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program isn’t a path to a deal, it's a formula for making war inevitable.
Iran is unlikely to accept the same strict terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. But as the piece notes, a new deal should as a priority see Iran eliminate its 60%+ enriched uranium stockpile, in exchange for US sanctions relief and opening the door for investment in Iran.
March 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Iran is unlikely to accept the same strict terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. But as the piece notes, a new deal should as a priority see Iran eliminate its 60%+ enriched uranium stockpile, in exchange for US sanctions relief and opening the door for investment in Iran.
Bernie Sanders and AOC are drawing massive crowds across the country with their #FightTheOligarchy tour.
The energy is real. The message is clear.
Most Americans want bold change, yet Democratic party leaders keep missing the moment, just like they did in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
The energy is real. The message is clear.
Most Americans want bold change, yet Democratic party leaders keep missing the moment, just like they did in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
March 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Bernie Sanders and AOC are drawing massive crowds across the country with their #FightTheOligarchy tour.
The energy is real. The message is clear.
Most Americans want bold change, yet Democratic party leaders keep missing the moment, just like they did in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
The energy is real. The message is clear.
Most Americans want bold change, yet Democratic party leaders keep missing the moment, just like they did in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
In one day last week, Israel killed over 200 children in Gaza, the "largest child massacre in its history."
In the past 18 months, Israel has killed over 14,500 children.
This isn’t ancient barbarism. It's happening now, in plain sight, with the full backing of the US & Europe.
In the past 18 months, Israel has killed over 14,500 children.
This isn’t ancient barbarism. It's happening now, in plain sight, with the full backing of the US & Europe.
March 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
In one day last week, Israel killed over 200 children in Gaza, the "largest child massacre in its history."
In the past 18 months, Israel has killed over 14,500 children.
This isn’t ancient barbarism. It's happening now, in plain sight, with the full backing of the US & Europe.
In the past 18 months, Israel has killed over 14,500 children.
This isn’t ancient barbarism. It's happening now, in plain sight, with the full backing of the US & Europe.
7/ Meanwhile, earlier this week, UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed visited DC.
Some speculate he was carrying Iran’s response to Trump’s letter but this remains unconfirmed.
Some speculate he was carrying Iran’s response to Trump’s letter but this remains unconfirmed.
March 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
7/ Meanwhile, earlier this week, UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed visited DC.
Some speculate he was carrying Iran’s response to Trump’s letter but this remains unconfirmed.
Some speculate he was carrying Iran’s response to Trump’s letter but this remains unconfirmed.
6/ Khamenei was more direct today:
-“Americans should know... they will never get anywhere through threats.”
-Iran will have tit-for-tat response to threats
This is consistent with his posture going back decades:
-Pressure met with pressure
-Concessions met with concessions
-“Americans should know... they will never get anywhere through threats.”
-Iran will have tit-for-tat response to threats
This is consistent with his posture going back decades:
-Pressure met with pressure
-Concessions met with concessions
March 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
6/ Khamenei was more direct today:
-“Americans should know... they will never get anywhere through threats.”
-Iran will have tit-for-tat response to threats
This is consistent with his posture going back decades:
-Pressure met with pressure
-Concessions met with concessions
-“Americans should know... they will never get anywhere through threats.”
-Iran will have tit-for-tat response to threats
This is consistent with his posture going back decades:
-Pressure met with pressure
-Concessions met with concessions
4/Iran broke its official silence on the content of Trump's through Foreign Minsiter Abbas Araghchi.
In a Nowruz (New Year) interview, he said: "Trump’s letter is more of a threat, but he claims there are also opportunities. We’ll consider both."
In a Nowruz (New Year) interview, he said: "Trump’s letter is more of a threat, but he claims there are also opportunities. We’ll consider both."
March 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
4/Iran broke its official silence on the content of Trump's through Foreign Minsiter Abbas Araghchi.
In a Nowruz (New Year) interview, he said: "Trump’s letter is more of a threat, but he claims there are also opportunities. We’ll consider both."
In a Nowruz (New Year) interview, he said: "Trump’s letter is more of a threat, but he claims there are also opportunities. We’ll consider both."