Shiraz. Postscript

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
MINISTRY OF INTELLIGENCE (VEVAK)
OPERATIONS AND ANALYSIS DIRECTORATE
CLASSIFICATION: HIGHEST IMPORTANCE
REF. No. 145/TR-K/PHASE-2
Copy No. 2

To: [REDACTED]
Date: 25 Aban 1391 (November 15, 2012)
Subject: Interim report on active measures. Operation “Trojan Horse,” Phase II (Infiltration).

1. OVERALL ASSESSMENT:

Based on a combination of indicators (OSINT/HUMINT), the infiltration of the ideological construct “Shadow of Reason” (hereinafter SR), developed from the theoretical legacy of the late Colonel D. Ghaffari and Dr. A. Ferzali, into niche intellectual communities in the USA (target segments: libertarians, techno-optimists) can be considered successful.

2. IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM:

Using materials originally developed as a warning of a threat to the Islamic world, the analytical department created an inverted version of the doctrine for a Western audience. Key theses (critique of democracy, the “State-as-Corporation” idea, elitism) were adapted and stripped of their Islamic context.

Primary repeaters (subject “Y.” / C. Yarvin, et al.) have been consistently reproducing the SR thesaurus under the labels “neoreaction” / “dark enlightenment” since 2011–2012. Influence was exerted primarily through indirect stimuli via partner channels [PARTNER-1], [PARTNER-2]. The degree of direct control is low; assessment of causality: probable (P≈0.7).

Note: The use of the term “Moldbug” (قالب کهنه – “old mold”) has proven particularly effective. Subject “Y.” chose it as a pseudonym, presumably unaware of its Persian origin and original meaning in the doctrine.

3. ASSESSMENT OF COLLATERAL DAMAGE:

Collateral damage during the R&D of the concept (incident involving Dr. A. Ferzali, “The Theologian,” 1376/1997) has been deemed insignificant to the final objectives of the operation (see Phase I, para. 4.3). Psychological consequences in the first-degree relative (“The Physicist” / Dr. Z. Musavi), which manifested during that period, have been classified as a Type L-F vulnerability (“latent resource”). If necessary, this vulnerability can be converted into operational value.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Proceed to Phase III (amplification in second-tier media environments; reverse import of the discourse into the region via academic/diplomatic platforms).
• Prepare “blurred» attribution materials to conceal the doctrine’s origin.
• Continue passive surveillance of subject “The Physicist” (Category 2). She may prove useful when the time comes for Phase IV (practical destabilization).

Head of the Operations and Analysis Directorate
[Signature]

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PERSONAL ADDENDUM (NOT FOR ARCHIVAL)

A handwritten note on a separate sheet, attached to the report

Two Iranian intellectuals, a theologian who died in a random car crash, and a colleague of mine who died of cancer, created a theory to defend Islamic civilization. They were afraid the West would offer us tradition without God.

We took their shield, reforged it into a sword, and turned it against those they sought to defend themselves from. We offered the West its own tradition without God, and they accepted it as a salvation from themselves.

If Ali and Javad knew that their worst nightmares would come true—only not for Iran, but for America—would they appreciate the irony? Or would they be horrified that their warning had become a manual for action?

Sometimes I think God does play dice after all. And He has a very dark sense of humor.

IRGC Lieutenant Colonel
Asadollah Alavi

Glossary