Middle East Crisis: Israel's airstrikes, including the killing of Hezbollah's leader, have caused a major displacement crisis in Lebanon, affecting nearly one million people and raising concerns about Hezbollah's response capacity and the region's stability.
In recent airstrikes, Israel targeted Hezbollah by killing its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, along with other leaders, escalating the conflict in the region. This has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, displacing nearly a million people and causing widespread destruction. In Beirut, the atmosphere is tense, with many people lacking shelter and basic necessities. Hezbollah's response remains uncertain, as the group appears weakened and disoriented after losing key figures. Their ability to retaliate is questioned, raising concerns about the future stability of Lebanon and the broader Middle East. As Israel continues its offensive, the situation will likely evolve, impacting both militants and innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Military Escalation: Israel is targeting Hezbollah leadership while facing limited retaliation. Despite international calls for restraint, they are ramping up military actions. Biden's mixed messages highlight a complex stance, as Iran pushes for peace amid escalating tensions in the region.
Israel is currently trying to eliminate senior targets of Hezbollah and other groups following recent attacks. Although there are minor rocket responses from Hezbollah, their ability to retaliate appears limited right now. Meanwhile, tensions are high as Israel also attacks Houthi forces in Yemen. International leaders are urging restraint, but Israeli actions suggest they aim to maximize their military advantage while considering future ceasefire proposals. Biden's contrasting messages imply a complex stance on this conflict. Currently, Israel's short-term goal appears to be ensuring safety for northern civilians, though long-term strategies against Hezbollah remain ambiguous amidst preparations for potential ground invasions. Iran is advocating for peace, seeking a calm resolution while awaiting their chance for a counter-response. The situation is evolving, and further military decisions by Israel could arise as they handle the aftermath of the recent confrontations.
Proxy Losses: Hezbollah's losses highlight Iran's cautious stance, while exiled Belarusian journalists face ongoing fears for safety after fleeing oppression stemming from the 2020 election crisis.
Iran's relationship with its proxy, Hezbollah, is deteriorating as they face significant losses, particularly due to Israeli attacks. The Iranian regime is cautious, worried about potential retaliation affecting its own infrastructure. Meanwhile, Belarusian journalists in exile continue to face challenges and paranoia due to the oppressive regime they escaped. Many fled following the fraudulent 2020 election, and they are now working under constant fear for their families’ safety and their own futures. This highlights the global struggle of journalists fighting against authoritarian regimes and the risks they face even in exile. While Hezbollah is at risk, the plight of Belarusian journalists emphasizes the broader issue of repressive tactics against those who seek truth and justice in their homelands.
Journalistic Resilience: Belarusian journalists, despite severe repression and exile, continue to fight for a free press. They estimate that 30% of the population accesses independent news, showing resilience and hope amid challenges, while embracing the term 'extremists' as they persist in their crucial role.
In Belarus, many journalists face severe repression after the fraudulent election of August 2020. Some have been imprisoned or forced into exile, yet they continue to work secretly to provide independent news. At a meeting in Warsaw, journalists shared their experiences, highlighting their courage and determination to keep journalism alive despite the risks. They estimate that around 30% of Belarusians still access independent news. This resilience has led them to embrace the label of 'extremists' coined by the government, seeing it as a badge of honor in their fight for a free press. Amidst their challenges, they find hope and solidarity in each other, driven by a sense of duty to inform their people, even from afar. Their work not only sustains their spirit but also offers a lifeline of information to those still in Belarus, reinforcing their commitment to bring about change one day.
Guan Dan Game: Guan Dan is a popular Chinese card game from Jiangsu, where teams compete to play all their cards first. Its popularity grew among civil servants and reflects changing entertainment trends in China.
Guan Dan is a popular card game from Jiangsu province in China, where players form two teams to play their 27 cards before the opponents. The game's interesting rules involve bomb combinations and an unconventional ranking that includes jokers as the highest cards. Its rise in popularity is attributed to civil servants, who enjoyed it during work and social gatherings. Unlike other games that were popular in the past, Guan Dan has become a staple in various sectors, possibly because of government officials' favoritism for it. This shift also reflects changes in entertainment preferences there, especially as foreign games decline. The reference to the game Beat the Landlords highlights the ongoing cultural significance and the blending of gaming with social interactions in China, as players navigate enjoyment without crossing legal boundaries due to gambling laws. Ultimately, Guan Dan illustrates the evolving landscape of leisure and tradition in Chinese culture.
Laying Flat Culture: In Guangdong, many young people embrace a 'laying flat' culture, choosing leisure and games over hard work due to limited job opportunities and dissatisfaction with the current job market.
In Guangdong, playing games is often seen in more formal settings, like business meetings. Many young people feel they shouldn’t have to work hard because they believe their efforts won’t lead to better job opportunities. This idea, called ‘laying flat,’ reflects a dissatisfaction with the current job market. Instead of striving for promotions, more people are prioritizing personal satisfaction and leisure activities. They prefer to enjoy games instead of working long hours with little reward. This situation highlights a broader economic issue in China where hard work does not guarantee success, leading to a culture that values relaxation and enjoyment over relentless effort. It is an intriguing shift in perspective that shows how economic challenges shape behavior and attitudes towards work and life.
Beirut force: Israel kills Hizbullah leader
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Ground assault: Israeli forces invade Lebanon
As Israeli troops move into Lebanon and missiles strike Damascus in Syria, can Israel’s next offensive really stay “limited, localised and targeted”? Japan’s new prime minister loves planes, trains and ramen, but with few allies within his own party, his premiership may attract less devotion (8:57). And the worst invention in modern office life: “the sandwich lunch” (15:24).
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Beirut force: Israel kills Hizbullah leader
Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Yemen this weekend will have implications far beyond the militant groups that were the apparent targets. Our correspondents analyse what may happen next. Our correspondent reports from a conference for journalists exiled from Belarus—home to “Europe’s last dictator”—to find out how they get news in (11:30). And a new card game is shaking Communist Party offices in China (19:21).
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The Weekend Intelligence: Crunch time for Ukraine
Ukraine’s President has been in New York this week. With a victory plan in his pocket, he’s been shoring up support at the UN and among America’s presidential contenders.
On the world stage Mr Zelensky presents a united front but back home things are a little more patchy. It's crunch time for Ukraine. Winter is coming, some Western partners are tiring, Ukrainians are tiring too. In this special episode of The Weekend Intelligence our Editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes travels to Ukraine to speak to generals, soldiers and civilians to find out what lies ahead.
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To hear more about Ukraine, join our live event on October 25th. Our editors will discuss the situation on the battlefield, the impact of the American election and the diplomacy in the background. To sign up, go to: economist.com/registertoday
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Woke croaks: “peak woke” has passed
Over the past decade a form of wokeness arose on the illiberal left, characterised by extreme pessimism about America and its capacity to make progress. Analysis by The Economist of how influential these ideas are today finds that wokeness peaked in 2021-22 and has since receded. Why is America becoming less “woke”?
John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Ainslie Johnstone and Sacha Nauta, and Professor Musa al-Gharbi of Stony Brook University.
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Missile-stop tour: Zelensky in America
Ukraine’s president is again on American shores, trying to secure support of all kinds. He needs it—diplomatically, militarily and politically. America’s tendencies toward “woke” discourse and policies have permeated its politics, but our analysis finds that “peak woke” is already in the past (8:57). And the latest instalment of the wildly popular football video-game formerly known as simply “FIFA” (17:13).
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War or less? Lebanon on the brink
For now, Israel’s moves seem to be posturing, a means to intimidate Hizbullah into backing down. But there remains a prospect of a ground invasion—and another pointless war. Our swing-state series starts with a state that only recently became swing-y: North Carolina (10:08). And a look back at a year’s worth of Economist Podcasts+ audio journalism (19:15).
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No right left: Afghanistan’s oppressed women
Even before last month’s revised religious rules, Afghanistan’s women were being crushed under the Taliban’s thumb. Now they cannot even so much as raise their voices. While other countries try to crimp the flow of cheap Chinese electric cars, Britain is welcoming them—for now (9:55). And why the French have at last come to appreciate “Emily in Paris” (16:12).
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Shun while it lasted: never-Trumpers’ fading sway
A handful of Republican leaders have been denouncing Donald Trump since his first presidential campaign. Will the voices of those who remain be heeded this time around? China’s attempt to fix its pensions by raising the retirement age will create a different problem with childcare (7:40). And the seemingly bottomless market for pet-pampering (14:21).
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Bulls’ AI: funding artificial intelligence
Artificial Intelligence has gained ground so fast that OpenAI, the firm powering ChatGPT, is changing Silicon Valley’s investment model and how it innovates. Why the global nuclear order may be in peril (10:24). And an alternative type of electoral forecasting is gaining ground: political astrology (19:02).
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Election rejection: fears of a contested result
Republicans are already preparing to contest the result if Kamala Harris wins the presidency. American elections demand patience and trust, but with Donald Trump on the ballot those are in short supply. How ugly could this election get? And what will happen if the result is contested?
John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan and Congressman Jamie Raskin.
This episode uses audio from The Laska Archive titled “Kentucky representative Thurston Ballard Morton on investigation election fraud 08 0011”.
Runtime: 48 min
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