MEF Dispatch: Operation "Below the Belt"

MEF Dispatch

By Gregg Roman ● Sep 18, 2024

Smart Brevity® count: 4 mins...1111 words

Israel’s latest operation in Lebanon targeted Hezbollah operatives by remotely detonating their personal pagers – a major victory for Israel, which also raises concerns about electronic device safety on airplanes. The ongoing conflict with Hamas and Iran’s police violence highlight regional tensions, and abroad, Iranian intelligence is targeting Iranians in the West for espionage, posing a threat to Western security.

Additionally, MEF Action is calling on Marriott executives to cancel a Hamas-linked fundraiser in Newark, New Jersey, hosted by CAIR on Sept. 28. The event features speakers with ties to Hamas and Al-Qaeda. Join the campaign to urge Marriott to rescind CAIR’s booking contract.

Israel Sends a Message of Strength and Deterrence

Israel’s latest operation in Lebanon disrupted Hezbollah’s communication by detonating around 4,000 pagers, injuring senior operatives and Iran’s ambassador.

Why it matters: This strike demonstrates Israel’s advanced technological capabilities and intelligence in the region, signaling that no one is immune from its reach.

The ability to monitor and control Hezbollah’s communication systems highlights Israel’s deep penetration into enemy networks.

The big picture: This operation is a clear message to Hezbollah and its backers, especially Iran: Israel can strike anywhere, anytime.

The incident reveals Israel’s capacity to embed mechanisms in devices and control them remotely, showcasing a significant intelligence achievement.

Details: The devices that detonated arrived from Iran only a few months ago, indicating Israel’s awareness and intervention capabilities.

Israel managed to embed a mechanism within these devices to allow remote detonation, proving its sophisticated intelligence and operational reach.

What’s next: Whether this strike will deter Hezbollah or its supporters from future actions remains to be seen.

The severity of the blow to Hezbollah’s operations and potential restraint from Iran could signal a shift in regional dynamics.

Hezbollah may be angered, but the fear of similar strikes might lead them to reconsider their next moves.

The bottom line: Israel has sent a powerful message that it can infiltrate and disrupt enemy operations without warning.

This could lead to heightened caution among terrorist organizations and their supporters, knowing that their own equipment could be turned against them.

The Great Pager Detonation: The End of Phones and Computers on Airplanes?

A recent strike on Hezbollah’s pagers raises questions about the safety of electronic devices on airplanes.

Why it matters: The operation demonstrated the potential for electronic devices to be remotely detonated, posing a new security threat to air travel.

If such an attack could be replicated on American or European devices, it could lead to catastrophic consequences.

The big picture: Airlines have historically banned certain devices due to safety concerns, and this operation could lead to stricter regulations.

The necessity of Wi-Fi on flights and the safety of carrying electronic devices could be re-evaluated.

What’s next: Security experts must assess whether current measures are sufficient to prevent such threats.

The aviation industry could face significant changes, including the potential elimination of Wi-Fi on flights and restrictions on electronic devices.

Israel Has Lost the Info War — So What?

Israel faces global criticism despite its efforts to combat Hamas, signaling a loss in the information war.

Why it matters: The focus on Israel rather than Hamas in global outrage shows the impact of Hamas’s propaganda and the challenges Israel faces in justifying its actions.

Western acceptance of Hamas’s narratives complicates Israel’s military and strategic objectives.

The big picture: Israel’s strategic imperative should be the physical destruction of Hamas, not winning the information war.

International pressure and distorted narratives have hindered Israel’s military operations and allowed Hamas to regroup.

What’s next: Israel should focus on reducing Hamas’s communication abilities and limiting Western media access to combat zones.

Future Israeli public statements should focus on factual reporting from the battlefield to undermine Hamas propaganda.

The Logic of Police Violence in Iran

Iran’s police indoctrination fosters a culture where violence is seen as essential for regime survival.

Why it matters: The regime’s reliance on police violence undermines human rights and perpetuates repression.

The death of Mahsa Amini and ongoing police brutality highlight the regime’s commitment to using force to maintain control.

The big picture: Police in Iran are heavily militarized and serve the clerical autocracy, with ideological indoctrination starting from a young age.

Cash incentives and a lack of accountability ensure officers’ loyalty and willingness to employ violence.

What’s next: Reformist hopes are misplaced as the current president has little control over security forces and no desire to change the system.

Human rights abuses are likely to continue as the regime prioritizes its survival over winning public support.

How Does Iranian Intelligence Recruit Iranians in the West as Spies?

Iranian intelligence targets Iranians in the West for espionage, focusing on tech sectors, foreign governments, and military forces.

Why it matters: With millions of Iranians living outside Iran, the regime seeks to exploit them for economic, political, and intelligence purposes.

This poses a significant threat to Western security as dual nationals may be coerced into espionage.

The big picture: Iranian intelligence uses databases and questionnaires to identify and recruit potential spies.

Dual-nationality Iranians gather intelligence on regime adversaries and infiltrate opposition groups.

What’s next: Western security agencies must be vigilant about the threat posed by coerced Iranian diaspora members.

Understanding the tactics of Iranian intelligence can help mitigate the risks associated with these espionage activities.

MEF Action Alert: Tell Liberty Marriott in New Jersey to Shut Down Hamas-Linked CAIR’s Fundraiser

Last week, MEF Action launched a campaign calling on Marriott executives to shut down a Hamas-linked fundraiser in Newark, New Jersey. Hosted at the Newark Liberty Airport Marriott Hotel (Liberty Marriott) on Sept. 28, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) 18th Annual Banquet will feature speeches from one individual who glorified Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks, and another who raised money for an Al-Qaeda linked charity connected to Osama Bin Laden.

We need your support.

Join the campaign to call on Marriott officials to rescind CAIR’s booking contract. By signing up, you can send emails, leave customer reviews, and call the Liberty Marriott directly to ask hotel management to cancel this Islamist fundraiser.

Why should I take action?

CAIR is an Islamist group that was credibly linked to Hamas in federal court. Seven CAIR leaders have been implicated in terrorism-related crimes involving violent jihadist movements from around the world.

TAKE ACTION

Israel’s latest strike on Hezbollah highlights its advanced technological prowess and ability to penetrate even the most secure enemy networks. This operation serves as a stark reminder to Hezbollah and its backers, especially Iran, that Israel’s reach extends far beyond conventional warfare. Stay tuned for further developments as the region grapples with the fallout from this bold operation.

Sincerely,

Ahnaf Kalam
Digital Media Specialist
Middle East Forum

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