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Jason Blazakis

@jason-blazakis.bsky.social
446 followers 375 following 79 posts

I am the Executive Director (and Professor) of the Middlebury Institute's Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism. I am sanctioned by Vladimir Putin and once headed up the State Department's counterterrorism sanctions office.

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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#Podcast alert! I recently joined @borealissaves.bsky.social to discuss all things #terrorist designations and #Antifa. We chatted about #Trump 's laser focus on left wing extremism. And why that is exaggerating the threat. #terror #crime #finance www.buzzsprout.com/2000197/epis...
buzzsprout.com
Episode 356 - Does Antifa actually exist? - Canadian Intelligence Eh
 In its never-ending quest to spread the terrorist listing wealth, the Trump Administration has made some odd moves of late. First, there was the decision to call drug cartels 'terrorists', despi...
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
My new piece in @theconversation.com: #Trump's proposed AI Force would hand China every reason to build its own. Weaponized AI belongs alongside nuclear war and environmental catastrophe as an existential threat. We need brakes, not a new military branch. theconversation.com/trump-wants-...
theconversation.com
Trump wants an AI Force like Space Force, but that could make AI’s risks harder to manage
An AI Force would likely push China to create its own. That arms race could turn a technology already slipping out of human control into a weapon.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Very excited to join the @rusi.bsky.social and its Centre For Finance and Security team as an Associate Fellow. I’ve had the chance to collaborate with RUSI on several occasions, and I’m especially looking forward to working more closely with the CFS team. www.rusi.org/people/blaza...
rusi.org
Jason Blazakis
Royal United Services Institute
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Welcome Dylan Miars, CTEC's Fall 2026 Michael Donnelly Research Fellow. His research asks how quantum computing changes the calculus for non-state actors pursuing advanced weapons capabilities. Learn more about Dylan and the Donnelly Fellowship: www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
My latest for @us.theconversation.com looks at the implications of Trump’s decision to take Syria from the terror list. theconversation.com/in-taking-sy...
theconversation.com
In taking Syria off state sponsor of terrorism list, US is putting its faith in al-Qaida alumni – that presents risks and opportunities
Syria was among the first nations to be added to the State Department’s proscribed list. It has been removed under the rule of a former al-Qaida-affiliated militant.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
The #antifa #terrorism threat the #Trump administration describes does not exist. My latest for @theconversation.com theconversation.com/the-antifa-t...
theconversation.com
The antifa terrorism threat the Trump administration describes does not exist
Antifa is a scattered movement of local collectives that opposes fascism. It has no leader, command hierarchy, funding structure or record of deadly attacks.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Can terrorist financing ever be stopped? I joined @rusi.bsky.social's Suspicious Transaction Report podcast to answer that question. Lots of issues explored while trying to answer the question - intelligence, private sector, role of govts and multilateralism. Listen: 🎧 www.rusi.org/podcasts/sus...
rusi.org
Episode 23: Can Terrorist Financing Ever Be Stopped?
Why disruption, intelligence and genuine public–private partnership matter more than promises to eliminate every terrorist dollar.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
I'm in today's @washingtonpost.com on Rubio's #antifa push. I ran State's designation process for a decade+. A group must be foreign to be designated. Antifa's domestic presence puts it out of reach. Counterterrorism authority should track threats, not politics www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
washingtonpost.com
Rubio tries to enlist other nations in antifa fight, but some allies recoil
The secretary of state plans to convene foreign ministers in Washington next week. The event has unsettled some U.S. and European officials.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Quoted in @inkstickmedia.com on the Prairieland "#Antifa cell" sentencing. 30 to 100 years. Prosecutors leaned heavily on Signal chats and zines to prove shared beliefs, not conduct. That should worry anyone who cares about free speech. inkstickmedia.com/antifa-trial...
inkstickmedia.com
'Antifa Trial' in Texas Heightens Fears of Free Speech Chill in US
Will the outcome of a controversial trial against protesters accused of being Antifa lead to a chill on free speech in the US?
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Thankful for the chance to speak @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @csns-uk.bsky.social about my recent book, Terror Disrupted. Also, had the chance to talk about #terrorist #financing w/ the UK Govt National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (folks I miss working w/ when I was in the USG).
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
I have a piece in @wsj.com today on emerging threat: movements that worship Artificial Intelligence (#AI). www.wsj.com/opinion/chat...
wsj.com
Opinion | Chatbots May Need a Cult Deprogrammer
Some users mistake AI for a god, while the violent Zizians believe it is the devil.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
I spoke with @keranews.org about the Frisco, Tex, mayoral runoff, where a candidate told Muslim residents they are not welcome and drew applause. This is not right and it is driven, in part, by national discourse. That is now trickling down into local politics. More: www.keranews.org/news/2026-06...
keranews.org
Comments about Muslim community a factor in Frisco mayoral runoff
Early voting in the Frisco mayor runoff between Mark Hill and Rod Vilhauer starts Monday. Vilhauer's anti-Muslim statements have generated controversy during the race.
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Centre for Statecraft & National Security @csns-uk.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
⏰ Last change to register! ⏰ Join us next Monday for the launch of @jason-blazakis.bsky.social's new book: 'Terror Disrupted: Countering the Financing of Terrorism'. Chaired by Dr Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens. 📅 Mon 8 Jun, 18:00-19:15 📍 King's College London
csns.uk
Terror Disrupted: Countering the Financing of Terrorism - CSNS | Centre for Statecraft & National Security
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Just Security @justsecurity.org · 29/05/2026
"Rubio’s terrorism framing for Cuba is not new, but the factual basis for using it expired long ago," writes Jason Blazakis (@jason-blazakis.bsky.social). From 2008-2018, Blazakis served as the director of the Counterterrorism Finance and Designations Office at the State Department.
justsecurity.org
Trump Administration Labels Cuba State Sponsor of Terrorism
Cuba’s inclusion on the SST list reflects shifting U.S. policy, not evidence, highlighting how the designation is used for political aims.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
As always, appreciate the chance to write for @justsecurity.org. Check out my latest piece on #Cuba - BLUF - invading Cuba using the pretext of counterterrorism, as #Trump Admin has been pointing to, is the wrong approach. www.justsecurity.org/140246/trump...
justsecurity.org
Trump Administration Labels Cuba State Sponsor of Terrorism
Cuba’s inclusion on the SST list reflects shifting U.S. policy, not evidence, highlighting how the designation is used for political aims.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Some deep concerns regarding some of the policy shifts by the Trump Admin in the area of counter #terrorist #finance #policy. Check out my latest for Homeland Security Today. 👇
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
London Calling! Book talk at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social on June 8 at 6pm BST. I'll be discussing Terror Disrupted: Countering the Financing of Terrorism @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org. Free and open to the public. Would love to see London folks there. Sign up at: www.kcl.ac.uk/events/book-...
kcl.ac.uk
Book Talk: Terror Disrupted: Countering the Financing of Terrorism with Prof Jason M. Blazakis | King's College London
Terrorism and organised violence are crucially reliant on adequate sources of funding
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CTEC @ctecmiis.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
CTEC Executive Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social is at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social on June 8 at 6pm BST for a book talk on Terror Disrupted: Countering the Financing of Terrorism. Open to the public. www.kcl.ac.uk/events/book-...
kcl.ac.uk
Book Talk: Terror Disrupted: Countering the Financing of Terrorism with Prof Jason M. Blazakis | King's College London
Terrorism and organised violence are crucially reliant on adequate sources of funding
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Really enjoyed catching up with friends at #ACAMSAssembly last week. One highlight: joining Kieran Beer on Financial Crime Matters for a long conversation on the threats facing the U.S. — Iran, ISIS, AQ, and more. #Podcast soundcloud.com/financialcri...
soundcloud.com
Disrupting Terror Finance, with the Middlebury Institute's Jason Blazakis
In this episode of “Financial Crime Matters,” Kieran talks with Jason Blazakis about his book,
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Thankful for the team at @booksandbooks.bsky.social for hanging out with me during the book signing today at the #ACAMS Meeting in Hollywood Florida!
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
New episode of Middlebury's New Frontiers podcast: I talked about how US terrorist designations actually get made, the real consequences for those listed, and why the Trump admin's departures from longstanding practice should worry counterterrorism professionals. www.middlebury.edu/rohatyn/new-...
middlebury.edu
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Recently, spoke to the Monterey community at MIIS on the topic of "Branding the Enemy" — who gets labeled a terrorist in the U.S., and who decides, and how #Trump is doing things differently in this space. Chapter 6 of my book Terror Disrupted w/ @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org goes deep on this.
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CTEC @ctecmiis.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
CTEC Executive Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social is now part of the GTSC Homeland Security Today Counterterrorism Editorial Board
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Hello Middlebury and @cityofmonterey.bsky.social - please join on April 7 for this timely discussion that is free to the public. Sign up at: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
A new paper I have published through @ctecmiis.bsky.social examines the full U.S. designation record against #Hamas linked charities (2003 to 2026) and proposes two structures to break the cycle of episodic enforcement. www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac... #sanctions #terrorism #Iran
middlebury.edu
The Charities of Hamas – Designations History and Policy Recommendations
It has now been more than two years since Hamas’s deadly attack in Israel. As someone who worked for more than a decade in the United States Government (USG) as head of the State Department’s Countert...
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CTEC @ctecmiis.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
New from CTEC: Executive Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social examines two decades of U.S. sanctions against Hamas-linked charities. The record reveals bursts of sanctions followed by long silences in which Hamas rebuilt Read the paper: www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac... #Hamas #Iran #Terrorism
middlebury.edu
The Charities of Hamas – Designations History and Policy Recommendations
It has now been more than two years since Hamas’s deadly attack in Israel. As someone who worked for more than a decade in the United States Government (USG) as head of the State Department’s Countert...
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
If you are interested in issues related large language models, Artificial Intelligence and intersections with illicit activity, pls join a @rusi.bsky.social webinar that I will be speaking at: my.rusi.org/events/webin... Would love to see former/current students there! You can register below:
my.rusi.org
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
www.instagram.com/reel/DVdryri... Time to get off of the sidelines.
instagram.com
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
The judge’s antics in this case are also making me think these defendants aren’t going to have a fair trial.
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CTEC @ctecmiis.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
CTEC shoutout: @npr.org / @oyousef.bsky.social referenced J.M. Berger’s “lawful extremism” work—how extremist-coded rhetoric can migrate into state messaging with plausible deniability. www.npr.org/2026/02/16/n...
npr.org
Extremist rhetoric is often found in government messaging. Who's the target?
In a rare move, the White House recently took down a racist post from one of President Trump's social media accounts. Extremism researchers say it fits a pattern of mainstreaming extremist ideas.
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CTEC @ctecmiis.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Thrilled to announce Noor Almusahwi as our next Michael Donnelly Fellow (Spring 2026). Noor brings deep experience on human rights and digital security—paired with rigorous research on terrorism, political violence, and rule of law. Congrats, Noor! www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
I wrote a new @rusi.bsky.social briefing on LLM-enabled terrorist financing: risks, likely pathways, and practical mitigations. #Terror #Finance #AI #LLM www.projectcraaft.eu/research-bri...
projectcraaft.eu
Terrorist Financing in the Age of Large Language Models — Project CRAAFT
The research briefing by Jason Blazakis examines how advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) could be exploited to support terrorist financing activity. The report ar...
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Can’t thank @universitypress.cambridge.org enough for its patience. Terror Disrupted focuses on CTF tools but also the financing of groups like ISIS and more broadly, the radical right. Thanks to Dan Byman, Bruce Hoffman @jessmarindavis.bsky.social and Ali Soufan for their endorsements.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Important reporting by @newyorksun.bsky.social. Time to increase the pressure on the Taliban in this case.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
As always great work by CTEC’s senior researcher, Isabela Bernardo. Give her latest report a read!
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Appreciated the chance to join late last week @msnownews.bsky.social to discuss the tragic attack in DC. I was very clear that we lacked any evidence that this was “terrorism” - a far too often used word to describe violence.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Appreciated the chance to speak with the @washingtonpost.com about recent terrorist-related policy decisions made by the Trump Admin. I can’t recall a time when 4 FTOS were added to the list and not one death has been attributed to them. That is bonkers. That is politics.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
I joined NPR’s Kera News to discuss the Prairieland ICE shooting and what the DOJ’s case could mean for future “#Antifa” prosecutions. The violence was real—but linking it to a centralized Antifa structure is a stretch. We need more evidence, not more labels. 🔗 www.keranews.org/criminal-jus...
keranews.org
How will Trump’s DOJ prosecute ‘antifa?’ The Prairieland ICE shooting trial could be the playbook
“Antifa” is now at the center of the Justice Department's case against two people charged for their alleged roles in a North Texas ICE detention center shooting. How it plays out in court could be ind...
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CTEC @ctecmiis.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
New from CTEC, our Director, @jason-blazakis.bsky.social , is featured on NPR discussing the controversial topic of whether #antifa should be designated as a terrorist organization. His expertise adds critical context to this evolving discussion. Listen to the segment: www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
npr.org
As Trump talks of designating antifa a foreign terrorist group, experts see danger
The designation would have, as one domestic terrorism expert told NPR, a "cascading effect across civil society, including social media organizations, civic organizations and everything in between."
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
I spoke with NPR's Morning Edition about the latest debate over designating #Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization. If pursued, the impact will be profound. Listen here: www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
npr.org
As Trump talks of designating antifa a foreign terrorist group, experts see danger
The designation would have, as one domestic terrorism expert told NPR, a "cascading effect across civil society, including social media organizations, civic organizations and everything in between."
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
I appreciated the chance to join @ajepodcasts.bsky.social - The Take - to discuss the recent Trump Admin focus on Antifa. You can find the convo at YT, Apple, and Spotify YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DYE... Apple pods: podcasts.apple.com/.../why-is...... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5RRk...
youtube.com
Why is Trump targeting antifa under terrorism laws? | The Take
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
My latest for @latimes.com. Simply put, Trump’s recent order on domestic terrorism is more about politics than national security. www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Appreciated the time that @keranews.org @npr.org took to examine the underlying motives behind this deadly attack against a DHS ICE facility. Check it out 👇
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The Bunker podcast – News without the nonsense @bunkerpod.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
🚨OUT NOW🚨 Trump keeps talking about cracking down on “left wing terror networks” in the US. This appears like a blatant move to crackdown on his enemies – so what is the real state of domestic terrorism in America? @jason-blazakis.bsky.social & @jacobjarvis.bsky.social discuss 👉 linktr.ee/bunker_pod
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CTEC @ctecmiis.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
🚨 New Op-Ed in the @inquirer.com Inquirer 🚨by CTEC Exec. Director @jason-blazakis.bsky.social . Trump’s new order labeling #Antifa a “domestic terrorist organization” isn’t about public safety — it’s about political power. Read Here: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
inquirer.com
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Thanks to @oyousef.bsky.social for capturing why a terrorist designation of #Antifa shouldn't be in the cards and why such a maneuver by #Trump would be illegal. I wrote about this in detail for @slate.com in 2020. Read my Slate piece and the great article below by NPR... slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com
Why Trump Can’t Designate Antifa as a Terrorist Organization
For one thing, they are neither terrorists nor an organization.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Congrats Olivia! Looking forward to seeing the results of your research.
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Will #neverforget.
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CTEC @ctecmiis.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
New CTEC publication: "Hermetic Hatred" demonstrates how antisemitism survives by adapting its narrative architecture—from theology to politics to today’s platforms. Maps key tropes, transmission routes, and practical takeaways for policy & T&S. www.middlebury.edu/institute/ac...
middlebury.edu
Hermetic Hatred: How Antisemitism's Architectural Framework Survives Theology, Politics, and Progress
This article examines antisemitism not as sporadic prejudice, but as a sophisticated ideological architecture that has preserved its structural integrity across nearly two millennia while adapting its...
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Jason Blazakis @jason-blazakis.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
The latest by @ctecmiis.bsky.social maps the transmission routes that allow for the spread of #antisemitism. 📖👇🏻
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