Middle East Report Dec. 18, 2015

Investigators looking into the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris said recently that cellular telephones found at the scenes of the attacks, and identified as belonging to the terrorists, were found to be equipped with communication programs enabling encryption of conversations. It is clear from the modus operandi of the terrorists that they were aware that the authorities could monitor their communications, and in order to elude them, the terrorists used a large number of cellular telephones, SIM cards and other means of communication. The use of encryption programs has become popular among terrorist organizations and it is now at the center of a conflict between high-tech companies, which are developing such programs and trying to make sure that their encryption cannot be broken, and the US government that demands that law enforcement authorities be given backdoor access. The publication of the leaks by Edward Snowden, according to which US intelligence organizations, mainly the NSA, systematically intercepted and recorded private and work-related telephone conversations inside and outside the US, as well as Internet traffic, is sharpening differences of opinion and increasing the use of encrypted instant messages by private citizens.
ISIS widely uses an instant messaging program called "Telegram."The program was developed by Russia's Durov brothers who also developed VKontakte, the Russian equivalent of Facebook. The use of Telegram is very similar to that of Messenger, Whatsapp, Viber, Skype and other instant messaging. As far as it is known, it is not possible  to "crack" the program in real time, so if an intelligence organization is 'listening' to an Internet conversation being conducted by Telegram, it will not be able to "peel off" the layer of encryption protecting the messages, regardless of whether they are text, audio or video, so it will not be able to monitor messages or data.  

Zechariah 13

3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. 4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: 5 But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth. 6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. 7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, 9 Just before that, he says...And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. 

Syrian sitrep for Dec. 18, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujovpchKkyo

In the wars of the 21st century, a successful special-forces operation usually starts out with precise intelligence gathered by satellites, surveillance planes or drones. It continues under cover of precision strikes from high altitudes by cruise missiles or bombs dropped from warplanes, and ends with a ground force cleansing the field ready for infantry or tank forces to go in.

The high command in Moscow decided that, at this juncture of the Syrian war, its most advanced helicopter, the multi-purpose Mi-35M (NATO-designated Hind-E), was just what was needed for moving small teams of elite troops at speed into battle against Syrian rebels or Islamic State fighters, while covering their landing with a massive blast of fire, and later for lifting them out. This will be the Mi-35M’s debut on a real battlefield and the first time non-Russian eyes have seen it in action.
The helicopter, the product of the Russian Rostvertol manufacturers, was developed as an upgraded version of the Mi-24 in terms of maneuverability, weapons, ammunition, troop capacity, avionics and intelligence-gathering. Manufacture began in 2005 after years of research.

The final product’s versatility is eminently suited to action in the Syrian arena, For example, it can deliver an 8-man commando team with equipment and ammunition, carry out medication evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions, and conduct surveillance sorties with payloads attached to the helicopter’s belly and under its stub wings, for capturing images or picking up electromagnetic signals.

Designed as an attack helicopter, the Mi-35M is fitted with two rotating cannons that fire 23mm shells and antitank missiles. When so configured, it can carry 16 missiles, eight under each of its small wings.

The pilots sit in a stepped “tandem” cockpit behind wide-vision glass. Night vision technology enables them to view the scene just as well by night as by day in all weather conditions. The rotor is resistant to gunfire and the fuselage fortified by titanium plates,

Moscow had four motives for bringing its newest helicopter to Syria:

1. Sales promotion. The most effective sales strategy for weapons system is to showcase their performance in real battle conditions. Russia is hard up and needs to push its munitions exports for extra foreign currency revenue. Sales of the Mi-35M have been anemic. So far, only Brazil, Venezuela, Iraq and Azerbaijan have placed orders based on plans on paper. Russia needs high-prestige clients to boost sales and hopes they will be impressed when they see the “flying tank” in action for the first time.

2. A show of muscle. To gain respect as a leading world power, Moscow has poured into Syria a glittering array of muscular warplanes, missiles and its most impressive advanced hardware in the sight of rivals and allies alike.

3. Field experience. The new helicopter has not yet proven itself, certainly not in operations or in Middle Eastern weather conditions and topography. Its maneuverability, night flights, firing accuracy, resistance to electronic warfare and many other tests in real combat conditions will make it more effective and thus more marketable.

4. In light of its warplanes’ multiple missions in Syria, and especially following the recent downing of a Su-24 by the Turkish air force, Russia felt the need of a fast, effective and nimble helicopter, which is also capable of locating and rescuing downed pilots in enemy territory and carrying a medical team for urgent treatment of injured combatants.