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The Foreign Desk

Explainer 432: The theatre of war

Aug 28, 2024
Andrew Mueller, a sharp commentator on conflicts and international relations, dives into the recent flare-up between Israel and Hezbollah. He unpacks why this intense conflict quickly fizzled out, revealing surprising insights into the minimal damage inflicted by both sides. Mueller also highlights the performative nature of modern warfare, contrasting Hezbollah's cautious tactics with those of Hamas. The discussion sheds light on how military actions often serve as strategic signals in the complex landscape of Middle Eastern conflicts.
06:10

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Quick takeaways

  • The recent military exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah reflect a complex balance of demonstrating power while avoiding full-scale war.
  • Both sides seem aware that exacerbating the conflict could lead to significant consequences, with Hezbollah opting for a calculated restraint in their responses.

Deep dives

Recent Military Exchanges and Their Impact

Israel recently conducted an extensive air operation targeting Hezbollah rocket launcher sites in southern Lebanon, prompted by fears of an imminent missile barrage from the militia in response to the assassination of a key commander. Following the Israeli strikes, Hezbollah launched around 300 rockets and drones towards Israel, marking this exchange as one of the most significant since an earlier escalation on October 7. However, the outcome of these aggressive actions appears to have resulted in minimal actual damage, with reports from both sides indicating that claims of casualties and destroyed military assets may have been exaggerated. Notably, one Israeli sailor died due to an incident involving their own air defense system, highlighting the complicated nature of these conflicts where self-inflicted harm can occur amid broader hostilities.

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