The only thing those people melt into are prison populations and early graves, it’s a (loose) international crime organization and very much still active especially in the EU and Australia IIRC.
If we are to dehumanize career criminals, there are countless thugs, gangs, despots, governments, and militaries with far fewer scruples and a far worse legacy than the Hell’s Angels.
but the point is, dehumanization is anathema to civilized society.
My understanding is they're one of the few groups still manufacturing LSD these days. I met a guy many years ago who allegedly was in with them and that was the explanation for why he had an entire vial full of LSD he was handing out like candy.
> Iran’s alleged reliance on criminals rather than covert operatives underscored an alarming evolution in tactics
It might be new for the Iranian regime, but it's very old in general. For example it jogs my personal memory of a 1989 fiction book:
> "Oh, no. The Cetegandan Embassy is sub-contracting my assassination now? I suppose it makes sense. Galeni said they were understaffed. But do you realize—" he rose and began to pace in his agitation, "this means I could be attacked again from any quarter. Anywhere, any time. By totally un-personally-motivated strangers."
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[ 2.9 ms ] story [ 46.8 ms ] threadbut the point is, dehumanization is anathema to civilized society.
As-is, I feel it resembles a rhetorical strategy which is sometimes derisively called "JAQing off."
Exactly what evidence are you suggesting is "fabricated"?
Do you think the Iranian journalist who claims to have been stabbed wasn't really stabbed?
It might be new for the Iranian regime, but it's very old in general. For example it jogs my personal memory of a 1989 fiction book:
> "Oh, no. The Cetegandan Embassy is sub-contracting my assassination now? I suppose it makes sense. Galeni said they were understaffed. But do you realize—" he rose and began to pace in his agitation, "this means I could be attacked again from any quarter. Anywhere, any time. By totally un-personally-motivated strangers."
> "A security nightmare," she agreed.
-- Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold