Pager Chaos in Lebanon

Plus, hope finds a way.

September 19, 2024

The Flag

Good morning and Happy Thursday! Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:

  • US: Teamsters won’t endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump (CNN)

  • World: Lebanon is rocked again by exploding devices as Israel declares a ‘new phase’ of war (AP)

  • Business: The Federal Reserve starts cutting interest rates in a big moment for the economy (NPR)

  • Technology: GM electric vehicles can finally access Tesla Superchargers (The Verge)

  • Sports: Eli Manning leads 1st-time HOF nominees for Class of 2025 (ESPN)

And of course, some good news: Northern California Holocaust survivor turns 100, credits faith and forgiveness for long life.

BECOME A FLAG BEARER

🇺🇸 From the Battle of Gettysburg to bingo night—this Civil War story is expansive. How did one woman remain linked to the war for nearly a century? Dive into the past by becoming a premium subscriber for the full, fascinating tale.

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Right: Fact Check: Harris' Claims Abortion Restrictions for GA Woman's Death, Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washinton Examiner.

Right: The Climate Scare Stories That Turn Out To Be False, Bjorn Lomborg, New York Post

Right: Biden's DOJ Issues Threatens Election Violence, Ben Weingarten, The Federalist

Left: Living in the Center of the 2024 Political Hurricane, Ryan Cooper, American Prospect

Left: Is Eric Adams' Luck About To Run Out? Ross Barkan, The Nation

MIDDLE EAST

Pager Chaos in Lebanon

Today’s Top Story: On Tuesday at 3:30 pm local time, Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, saw its pagers explode simultaneously across Lebanon in densely populated areas, injuring at least 4,000 and killing at least eleven. The attack is being attributed to Israeli intelligence. Among the casualties were the death of a child and the injury of the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon.

Reporting from the Right: Israel carried out pager attack after fears Hezbollah was on to operation (Washington Examiner)

Reporting from the Left: Exploding pagers, psychological warfare: Israel’s attack on Hezbollah (Al Jazeera)

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Israel Sends a Warning to Hezbollah

The Top Argument From The Right: Hezbollah Gets a Pager Message, The Editorial Board, The Wall Street Journal: “More important than the how of the attack is the reason for it. Israel has ample cause to target Hezbollah fighters who have conducted a daily bombing campaign against Israel from Lebanon. They have fired more than 8,000 rockets and missiles at Israel since Oct. 7, forcing some 60,000 Israelis from their homes for nearly a year. The bombing has widened recently to other Israeli cities. No sovereign state can tolerate this, and the domestic pressure on Israel’s leaders to respond has been rising. On Monday the Israeli security cabinet added to its war aims the safe return of northern residents to their homes. On Tuesday Israel said it thwarted a Hezbollah plot to kill a former senior Israeli security official. The Biden Administration has warned Israel against an escalation in Lebanon, and the risks are considerable. But Israel can’t afford to let a terrorist militia backed by Iran and operating next door bomb its territory with impunity. The pager attack was discriminating, exploding in the hands and pockets of Hezbollah combatants. In the best case, the pager operation will persuade Hezbollah leaders that their lives are at considerable risk if a broader war breaks out. They can’t say they didn’t get the message.”

Honorable Mention #1: Paging Hezbollah: How Israel will follow up exploding beepers, Mark Toth and Jonathan Sweet, New York Post.

Honorable Mention #2: Someone — Probably Israel — Sent an Explosive Message to Hezbollah’s Pagers, Jim Geraghty, National Review.

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Israel Is Risking Broader Conflict in the Middle East

The Top Argument From The Left: Israel behind deadly pager explosions that targeted Hezbollah and injured thousands in Lebanon, Charbel Mallo et al., CNN: “Hezbollah has vowed to respond to an Israeli attack that killed multiple people and injured thousands across Lebanon on Tuesday when pagers belonging to members of the Iran-backed militant group exploded almost simultaneously, exposing a massive security breach and demonstrating the scale of Israeli intelligence. A child was among at least nine killed in the blasts, which wounded about 2,800 people, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said. At least 170 people are in a critical condition, he said, though the nature of the other injuries is unclear. The unprecedented attack risks further escalating tensions in the Middle East already heightened over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The extraordinary incident also underscores Hezbollah’s vulnerability as its communication network was compromised to deadly effect and follows a series of targeted assassinations against its commanders. CNN has learned the explosions were the result of a joint operation between Israel’s intelligence service, Mossad, and the Israeli military. While the Israeli military has said it will not comment on the explosions, both Lebanon and Hezbollah have blamed it for the attack. Iran also blamed what it referred to as ‘Israeli terrorism.’”

Honorable Mention #1: Hezbollah pager explosions: questions over strategy behind unprecedented attack, Dana Sabbagh, The Guardian.

Honorable Mention #2: The ominous implications of the pager attack against Hezbollah, David Ignatius, The Washington Post.

FLAG THIS

Nearly A Year Later

Immediately following Hamas’s attack last October, a PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll found that nearly 80% of Americans were concerned that the current conflict between Israel and Hamas might escalate into a wider Middle Eastern war. At the time, the public's confidence in U.S. support for Israel was divided, with 53% believing it would enhance regional security, while 41% thought it would increase the danger in the Middle East (PBS News).

WATERCOOLER

Nuclear Test, Li-Fi, Space Smells

On This Day in 1957, the United States detonates a 1.7-kiloton nuclear weapon in an underground tunnel at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), a 1,375-square-mile research center located 65 miles north of Las Vegas. The test, known as Rainier, was the first fully contained underground detonation and produced no radioactive fallout.

POWERED BY NATIVEPATH

Don't let the summer heat drain your natural energy. Stay cool, hydrated, and vibrant with NativePath Hydrate - a powerful powdered electrolyte drink mix designed to keep you hydrated as nature intended.

Unlike most hydration supplements, Native Hydrate contains high-quality amino acids and electrolytes, providing optimal hydration without excessive sodium or added sugars.Simply mix one scoop of our refreshing powder into water or your favorite beverage to enjoy increased energy levels, improved muscle strength and bladder function.

And here's the best part: Stock up now and enjoy up to 44% off your purchase, plus receive a free gift and free shipping with every order.

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