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[spacer.gif] Video: In State of the Union, repeating history [spacer.gif] After 62 executions, a change of heart [post-pulse.png] Obama won't raise the Medicare age Iran aids Syria in tracking opposition via electronic surveillance, U.S. officials say * Smaller Text Larger Text Text Size * Print * E-mail * Reprints By Ellen Nakashima, Oct 09, 2012 07:09 PM EDT The Washington Post Iran is providing crucial equipment and technical help to Syria in its effort to track opposition forces through the Internet and other forms of electronic surveillance, according to U.S. officials. The aid is the latest example of how Iran is helping Syria in its battle against rebel forces threatening the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. The technical assistance is coming mainly through Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security, the officials said. Loading... Comments * Weigh In * Corrections? Personal Post Gallery Syrians take refuge as fighting rages on: The Turkish border has become the site of many refugee camps for Syrians fleeing their homeland. WorldViews Pope Benedict's resignation lauded as 'a great lesson' in Latin America Pope Benedict's resignation lauded as 'a great lesson' in Latin America Juan Forero and Nick Miroff Across Latin America, the pope's announcement that he will step down at the end of the month is drawing official comment as well as some speculation that the next pope could come from the region. The rise and decline of the pope's once-great power The rise and decline of the pope's once-great power Max Fisher The office was once among the most powerful in the world, but has since lost much of its relevance outside of the church. Pope Benedict fell short of John Paul II's legacy as a global political leader Max Fisher Though his predecessor involved himself deeply in global political affairs, Benedict played little role in world affairs. A two-minute video explains the Vatican's dilemma in finding a new Pope A two-minute video explains the Vatican's dilemma in finding a new Pope Max Fisher The Catholic Church is facing two very different challenges in two different parts of the world. Iran, which has long experience in tracking dissidents internally, has supplied surveillance and communications gear, as well as technical support in computer-network surveillance, said one intelligence official. Like others interviewed, he spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the topic’s sensitivity. Among the tactics in which Iran is advising the Syrians is how to gain access to Web forums and chat rooms, where they pose as opposition members to identify and track targets, the intelligence official said. Syrian agents are then dispatched to kill the rebels, the officials said. An array of sophisticated techniques used to entrap Syrian opposition activists has already been unearthed by tech privacy and security groups. Pro-government hackers have covertly installed spyware on activists’ computers by sending them e-mail and Skype messages purporting to be from opposition sympathizers that include attachments containing surveillance tools, said Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an Internet privacy group based in San Francisco. The surveillance software can record keystrokes, steal passwords, turn on webcams and record audio conversations. Iran’s electronic assistance began at least a year ago as part of a broader program to sustain the Syrian regime that included military advisers and fighters from Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite militant group closely allied with Iran. “We know that Iran is there in a whole range of capabilities, and they’re offering what capabilities they have because they look at a loss of Syria as a huge problem,” Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in an interview. “You can extrapolate from that everything they have available, from weapons systems to finance and training, and they do have a growing cyber-capability that’s concerning.” Instead of weapons, the Obama administration has given the rebels communications gear, passed on intelligence on who is being targeted, and trained them in using covert channels to escape tracking by the government. The intelligence official said advice on how to avoid being targeted includes “relatively simple techniques that anyone who’s computer-savvy can use to obscure” their identity. “It’s a good way for us to help the opposition without having to send in troops and bombs,” said a former U.S. defense official. The Syrians are reasonably good at internal security, but experts say the Iranians are better trained in electronic and computer-network surveillance. “Technologically, they’re light-years ahead of Syria,” said Robert B. Baer, a former CIA case officer in the Middle East and author of several books on the region. “The Syrians have got to go to the Iranians for anything advanced.” James Ball contributed to this report. * Email * Tumblr * Reddit * Stumbleupon * Digg * Delicious * Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions Loading... Comments Add your comment Read what others are saying About Badges SuperFan Badge SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams. More about badges | Request a badge Culture Connoisseur Badge Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment. 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Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers. * Spam * Obscene * Duplicate * + Facebook + Twitter + Reddit + StumbleUpon + Digg + Delicious * Top world Stories * Most Popular Videos * * * * * The bizarre stories of the four other popes to have resigned in the last 1000 years Pope Benedict XVI announces resignation U.S. said to be target of massive cyber-espionage campaign Ellen Nakashima A two-minute video explains the Vatican's dilemma in finding a new Pope Pentagon extends benefits to same-sex partners of service members; not healthcare, housing Associated Press Pope Benedict fell short of John Paul II's legacy as a global political leader Egyptian court bans YouTube for a month Abigail Hauslohner Iran and Hezbollah build militia networks in Syria in event that Assad falls, officials say Karen DeYoung French, Malian troops regain control of northern Maliâs Gao; scour for Islamic fighters Associated Press London-to-LA United flight reports smoke in cockpit, lands safely in Shannon, Ireland Associated Press New urgency to cross along tougher U.S. border Nick Miroff Obama to award Medal of Honor to Army veteran for courageous leadership in Afghan firefight Associated Press Al-Qaeda's world: A fascinating map of the group's shifting global network Obama awards Medal of Honor to hero of Afghan battle William Branigin Pope Benedict fell short of John Paul II's legacy as a global political leader Max Fisher Why Switzerland has so many guns When the pope was powerful, and why that changed Max Fisher South Africaâs Ramphele discreet on challenge to African National Congress andrew England | Financial Times 9/11 defendantâs attorney says U.S. is listening in on client conversations Peter Finn The bizarre stories of the four other popes to have resigned in the last 1,000 years Max Fisher The Post Most: WorldMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hours * Most Popular 1. 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