Conflict Escalation: A drastic escalation in the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict has led to significant civilian casualties in Lebanon, with increased airstrikes and attacks raising fears of a larger war.
In recent days, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated dramatically, marking one of the deadliest periods in Lebanon's history. After Israel targeted Hezbollah with airstrikes and assassinations, civilian casualties surged, causing panic and forcing thousands to flee. The situation became critical as previously confined skirmishes expanded into widespread violence, raising concerns about an all-out war. Political pressure in Israel has grown as civilians there sought safety from incoming attacks. The shift from limited border skirmishes to major assaults in Beirut sparked fears of further retaliatory actions from Hezbollah, indicating a perilous turning point in the long-standing region's conflict. The past week’s events, including high-profile attacks and extensive Israeli airstrikes, intersected with rising civilian casualties, driving home the fragility of peace in a volatile area.
Escalating Conflict: Israel is intensifying its attacks on Hezbollah due to perceived threats, with historical roots tracing back to the 1980s invasion of Lebanon and the formation of Hezbollah as a resistance group against Israeli military presence.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated recently, with Israel launching significant attacks on Hezbollah due to fears of its military capabilities. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned Lebanese civilians to evacuate areas near Hezbollah operations. This conflict roots back to an Israeli invasion of Lebanon in the 1980s, which led to Hezbollah's formation as a resistance group. Over time, Hezbollah gained strength, culminating in a major victory when Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000. As Israel now focuses on this longstanding threat, the situation might lead to further military actions, raising concerns over the safety of Lebanese civilians caught in the crossfire.
Hezbollah's Rise: Hezbollah's conflict with Israel escalated in 2006, leading to a devastating war. Though Lebanon suffered greatly, Hezbollah emerged strong, becoming a powerful political and military force that operates largely independently, challenging Israel's dominance and influencing Lebanese society.
Hezbollah's actions against Israel mark a significant chapter in the ongoing conflict between these two adversaries. Following a provocative cross-border raid in 2006, a brutal war ensued, resulting in thousands of casualties. Despite Lebanon's devastation, Hezbollah emerged from the conflict with increased strength and status, portraying itself as a victor. They solidified their role in Lebanese society and politics, operating independently and providing services to their base. This has caused them to evolve into a powerful force within Lebanon, largely outside the control of the weak central government, while continuing their military ambitions against Israel.
Hezbollah's Transformation: Hezbollah rose to prominence in the Arab world after the 2006 war but damaged its reputation by intervening in regional conflicts, causing harm to fellow Arabs, while Lebanon faced a severe economic crisis.
Hezbollah's performance in the 2006 war against Israel shaped its image as a powerful resistance force across the Arab world, gaining popularity and influence in the region. However, as they expanded their involvement in conflicts like Syria, their actions began to tarnish that image, as they were seen killing fellow Arabs. This shift in focus, coupled with the economic collapse in Lebanon, revealed challenges within Hezbollah. While initially viewed as heroes standing against Israel, their broader military engagements and the subsequent humanitarian impact led to a decline in their regional standing, highlighting the complex nature of their influence and the repercussions of their actions on their domestic reputation.
Hezbollah's Struggles: Lebanon's electricity crisis has fueled discontent against Hezbollah and its allies, leading to protests. While trying to support Hamas following escalating conflicts with Israel, Hezbollah faces criticism and decreased support as many Lebanese question their involvement in this ongoing violence.
Lebanon is facing a severe electricity crisis, causing widespread outrage toward the political leaders, including Hezbollah, who many blame for the country’s failures. Protests began in 2019, pushing to remove the corrupt ruling class. With recent conflicts between Hamas and Israel, Hezbollah has attempted to support Hamas but is struggling. They are responding with some attacks, but their effectiveness is questioned. Many in Lebanon are frustrated, feeling trapped in a war not of their making. Support for Hezbollah is waning both locally and regionally, as people are more concerned about the devastation brought on by their conflicts rather than mourning Hezbollah's losses. As a result, there’s anxiety about what the ongoing violence and potential escalation could mean for Lebanon's safety and stability.
Hezbollah's Challenges: Hezbollah has been severely weakened by recent Israeli attacks, losing key leaders and struggling to respond. However, it's still premature to assume Israel has achieved its goal of incapacitating the organization, especially considering Hezbollah's access to resources in Lebanon and ongoing international diplomatic efforts.
Hezbollah is currently facing significant challenges after recent attacks that have weakened its leadership and organizational structure. Key leaders have been lost, and the group seems to be struggling to respond to Israeli military actions. Arguments have been made suggesting that Israel could potentially achieve its goal of incapacitating Hezbollah, but it's still uncertain. In contrast to Hamas, which is trapped in Gaza, Hezbollah has more access to resources and logistics in Lebanon, which complicates efforts to fully eliminate the group. While significant damage has been inflicted, it's too early to declare Hezbollah's defeat. Meanwhile, international efforts continue, with President Biden emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions while recognizing the complexities of the situation in the Middle East, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Overall, while Hezbollah is damaged, its fate and Israel's success in neutralizing the threat it poses remain unclear.
The Slide Toward War in Lebanon
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How NAFTA Broke American Politics
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are constantly talking about trade, tariffs and domestic manufacturing.
In many ways, these talking points stem from a single trade deal that transformed the U.S. economy and remade both parties’ relationship with the working class.
Dan Kaufman, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, explains how the North American Free Trade Agreement broke American politics.
Guest: Dan Kaufman, the author of “The Fall of Wisconsin,” and a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine.
Background reading:
- How NAFTA broke American politics.
- Both Democrats and Republicans are expressing support for tariffs to protect American industry, reversing decades of trade thinking in Washington.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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The Year Since Oct. 7
Warning: this episode contains descriptions of war and trauma.
One year ago, Israel suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history. The conflict that followed has become bigger and deadlier by the day, killing tens of thousands of people and expanding from Gaza to Yemen, Lebanon and now Iran.
Today, we return to two men in Israel and Gaza, to hear how their lives have changed.
Guests: Golan Abitbul, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, in southern Israel; and Hussein Owda, who was among more than a million people sheltering in Rafah.
Background reading:
- How Oct. 7 sparked a year of conflict.
- Listen to the first interview with Golan.
- Listen to the first interview with Hussein.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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The Sunday Read: ‘The Blind Side’ Made Him Famous. But He Has a Different Story to Tell.
It was an overcast Monday afternoon in late April, and Michael Oher, the former football player whose high school years were dramatized in the movie “The Blind Side,” was driving Michael Sokolove on a tour through a forlorn-looking stretch of Memphis and past some of the landmarks of his childhood.
In the movie, Oher moves into the home of the wealthy white couple Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. They take him shopping for clothes, help him obtain a driver’s license, buy him a pickup truck and arrange for tutoring that helps improve his grades and makes him eligible to play college football. In real life, Oher went on to play eight seasons as a starting offensive tackle in the N.F.L. and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, Oher is suing the Tuohys, claiming that they have exploited him by using his name, image and likeness to promote speaking engagements that have earned them roughly $8 million over the last two decades — and by repeatedly saying that they adopted him when they never did.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
'The Interview': Al Pacino Is Still Going Big
Four Weeks to Go
With Election Day fast approaching, polls show the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump to be the closest in a generation.
The Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Shane Goldmacher, Maggie Haberman and Nate Cohn break down the state of the race and discuss the last-minute strategies that might tip the scales.
Guest:
- Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.
- Maggie Haberman, a senior political correspondent for The New York Times.
- Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- The state of the race: a calm week and perhaps the clearest picture yet.
- Scenes of workers on strike, hurricane devastation in the Southeast and missiles over Israel pose tests for Ms. Harris.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Iran Retaliates
Israel’s series of military successes against its longtime adversary Hezbollah had raised the question of whether the militant group’s backer, Iran, would retaliate. On Tuesday, that question was answered, when Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel.
Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The Times, and Farnaz Fassihi, The Times’s United Nations bureau chief, discuss how they see events developing from here.
Guest:
- Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.
- Farnaz Fassihi, the United Nations bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Fiery balls of light could be seen falling from the sky over Jerusalem and loud explosions could be heard in Tel Aviv and other areas as Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel.
- After the missile attack, Israel may be more prepared to risk war with Iran.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Walz-Vance Debate: Civility and Then a Clash
Just three weeks after Kamala Harris and Donald J. Trump engaged in a fiery and often hostile presidential debate, their running mates, Tim Walz and JD Vance, met for their own face-off — and struck a very different chord.
Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The Times, explains why this debate was so different and what it could mean for the race.
Guest: Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Read coverage of the debate.
- Analysis: Mr. Vance strained to sell a softer image of Mr. Trump.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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Hurricane Helene’s 600 Miles of Destruction
Warning: This episode contains strong language and descriptions of death.
Over the past few days, Hurricane Helene has left a trail of devastation, killing more than 100 people, driving thousands from their homes and leaving millions without power.
Judson Jones, a meteorologist and weather reporter for The Times, and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a Times national reporter, discuss the toll left by the deadly storm.
Guest:
- Judson Jones, a meteorologist and reporter for The New York Times.
- Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a national reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Hurricane Helene spawned flash floods and landslides as it barreled north after devastating parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
- In less than a day, Helene transformed from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 4. Read about how that happened so quickly.
For more information on today’s episode, visit
. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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Alliance vs. Isolation: Harris and Trump’s Competing Views on Foreign Policy
As wars in Ukraine and the Middle East deepen, the U.S. presidential campaign is raising a crucial question: Whose idea of American foreign policy will the world get next?
Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The Times, walks us through the plans put forward by Kamala Harris and by Donald J. Trump.
Guest: Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Ms. Harris met with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, signaling that the White House was preparing her to take over a thorny diplomatic relationship.
- Mr. Zelensky also met with Mr. Trump as concerns mount in Kyiv that a second Trump administration could spell the end of American support against Russia.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Deserter: Parts 4 and 5
In “The Deserter,” Sarah A. Topol reports the story of Ivan, a captain in the Russian Army who fought in Ukraine and then ultimately fled the war and his country with his wife, Anna. Topol spoke to 18 deserters while reporting in eight countries across four continents over the last year and a half; their experiences helped paint a vivid picture of the Russian war operation and its corruption, chaos and brutality.
Narrated by Liev Schreiber.
“The Deserter” is a five-part special series in collaboration with The New York Times Magazine.
All five parts of this audio feature can be found here or by searching for “The Deserter” on the NYT Audio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
The text version of the story can be found here.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.