The Intelligence from The Economist Nuclear-war head: assassination in Iran
Dec 1, 2020
An expert on Middle Eastern politics delves into the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, and its critical implications for U.S.-Iran relations. The discussion highlights the potential for violent retribution impacting diplomatic chances with the new American administration. The conversation also shifts to revolutionary advancements in AI for protein structure prediction, showcasing how these innovations could reshape industrial processes and disease management. Meanwhile, effective European lockdown strategies are examined in the context of COVID-19 transmission.
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Assassination of Iranian Nuclear Scientist
- Mohsin Fakhrizadeh, Iran's top nuclear scientist, was assassinated.
- He was shot dead while driving, and Iran blames Israel.
Assassination as Diplomatic Sabotage
- The assassination of Fakhrizadeh is viewed as an attempt to sabotage potential diplomacy between the US and Iran.
- Some Middle Eastern countries oppose Iran's reintegration into the international community.
Impact of Assassination
- Fakhrizadeh was crucial to Iran's nuclear program, possessing extensive knowledge.
- The attack's impact is lessened due to Iran's increased number of competent scientists.