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The Duffel Brief · the free edition, Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Vol. 15 · No. 132 · Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Pentagon

Pentagon confident U.S. will be ready for 2027 war with China by 2035

Officials cite historically proven American strategy of entering wars completely unprepared

Hegseth wears Eisenhower's globe as Halloween costume

Spirit Halloween store to become pop-up ICE detention center

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Vol. 15 · No. 132

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Vol. 15 · No. 132 · Deployed worldwide

Wednesday

4 November 2026

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· Page 2

DoD releases intercepts of new ISIS ‘help’ line

Filed · 1538

LANGLEY, Va. — The Central Intelligence Agency today released transcripts of conversations intercepted on the so-called “Terror Help Line” between ISIS agents in the field and tech support in Syria.

In one conversation the support agent is heard saying, “Salaam aleikum and death to the infidel,” before advising the caller that their conversation “may be recorded for training or propaganda purposes,” and asking how he can help.

The agent responds, “I’m underneath the stage at a large sporting event and my suicide vest won’t detonate” in a tone analysts described as “testy.” While many security analysts were concerned about the identity of the terrorist target, help-line industry experts have applauded the ISIS technician’s professionalism.

“First let me apologize for any trouble you're having today,” the technician says. “May I ask you a few questions to better assist you?”

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