Friday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 10.20.2005:

Basij Militia to Enhance Iranian Defense

Middle East Newsline:

Iran has disclosed a plan to create a huge Islamic volunteer force to protect the regime from any Israeli or U.S. attack. Iranian officials said supreme leader Ali Khamenei has approved a plan to greatly expand the regime-sponsored Basij militia. Under the plan, the Basij, which began as a volunteer movement, would essentially turn into Iran's third military ground force.

Under the plan, the Basij would have more than 1 million men under arms. The force would be deployed both along Iran's long borders with Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Turkey as well as in major cities.

Gen. Mohammed Mirahmadi, the Basij's deputy commander, said the militia's Ashura forces would be greatly expanded over the next few years. Mirahmadi said the Basij would form 2,000 Ashura battalions in an effort to enhance Iran's defensive capabilities.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Iran Press News reported that two and a half months after Ahmadinejad's installment to presidency, the policies for a new cinema for the Islamic Republic were announced.
• BBC News reported that Iran's authorities have banned imported films promoting secularism, feminism, unethical behaviour, drug abuse, violence or alcoholism.
• Iran Press News reported that one of Ahmadinejad's biggest supporters who wished to remain unnamed said: We're worried sick that he (Ahmadinejad) would not be able to keep his promises.
• Iran Press News reported that a group of journalists were first verbally abused and then physically intimidated by Ahmadinejad's security detail.
• Iran va Jahan reported that an international corruption-monitoring organization has reported that businesspeople and analysts both in and outside Iran see the country as profusely corrupt.
• Louis Charbonneau, Reuters reported that the IAEA is unlikely to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council when the U.N. agency's board meets next month.
• And finally, Jamie Glazov, FrontPageMagazine.com published an interview with Ryan Mauro discussing the secrets of terror.