Iran Audio Feature: Downing a US Drone? --- Scott Lucas with Monocle 24

I spoke with Monocle 24's The Briefing on Tuesday afternoon about Iran's claimed downing of a US ScanEagle drone. We talked about the recent history of US surveillance operations over Iran and discussed the latest incident, assessing the story and the political and military implications.

The discussion begins at the 6:56 mark.

Iran Audio Feature: Nuclear Talks and Scare Stories --- Scott Lucas with Monocle 24

See also Iran Feature: "Oil-Spill Sabotage To Block Strait of Hormuz" --- How Western Media Spreads a Scare Story

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I joined Monocle 24's The Briefing today to talk about latest developments concerning Iran. We spent most of the time asking if Tehran's signals to the West over renewed discussions about its nuclear programme are genuine; however, we also had a look at today's "scare story" of an Iranian plan for an oil spill in the Strait of Hormuz and the more serious claim --- though still part of political spin --- of Tehran's cyber-warfare against the US, Europe, and Arab States.

To get to the discussion, open The Briefing's homepage, click on the programe for 15/10, and go to the 7:19 mark.

Iran Audio Feature: "Tehran's Clean Internet" --- Scott Lucas with Monocle 24

On Friday I spoke with Monocle 24's The Briefing on latest developments in the Islamic Republic's effort for a "national Internet". The regime has reportedly achieved the first stage of linking up government agencies and some businesses in a self-contained system. Will it go farther and seal off Iranians from outside sites, search engines, and e-mail systems?

To listen to the discussion, go to The Briefing's homepage, open the programme for 21/9, and start at the 47:30 mark.

Syria Audio Feature: "Assessing An Airstrike on Azaz" --- Scott Lucas with Monocle 24

Photo: Goran Tomasevic (Reuters)I spoke with Monocle 24's The Briefing at lunchtime about the Syrian airstrike on the town of Azaz that killed at least 45 people. To consider the political and military significance, I noted other events such as the insurgents' discovery of the regime's Iran-supplied drones and their capture of anti-aircraft guns and a portable air-defence system. 

The take-away line? The regime, in an increasingly difficult position, is stepping up its bombardment, but the insurgents have better weapons. That brings the prospect of a more intense conflict this autumn.

Given that, we chatted about the prospect of an internationally-supported no-fly zone. We also discussed developments in Lebanon, in the context of kidnappings of opposition members by the al-Moqdad family, and the possibility of spiralling conflict.

To listen, go to the homepage of The Briefing, click Play on the 16/8 programme, and start at the 7:37 mark.

Syria Audio Feature: Scott Lucas with Monocle 24 "No Negotiation Possible --- This is War"

A regime tank burns in Idlib Province on Tuesday

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I spoke with Monocle 24's "The Briefing" this afternoon about latest developments in Syria. The take-away lines: "We're into a new phase in the Syrian conflict where I don't think a negotiated solution is possible. To put it bluntly, one side will have to win and one side will have to lose --- and quite clearly lose --- before we get close to a resolution."

To get to the item, open Monocle's Timeshift, select "The Briefing" for 27 June, and click Play.

The discussion starts at the 6:49 mark.