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Hezbollah Remains a Powerful Force Confronting Israel CONTENT In the aftermath of the significant developments in September 2024, including the massive explosion in Beirut, the assassination of top Hezbollah figures, and a substantial depletion of its missile stockpile, it may seem counterintuitive that the organization remains a formidable force. However, as assessments suggest, the efforts have ultimately fallen short of crippling the group. Hezbollah’s persistence stems from several factors. Firstly, the organization’s stronghold on Lebanon grants it access to a substantial infrastructure and network, which it continues to utilize for various purposes, including military capabilities. The ongoing civil unrest in Lebanon has allowed Hezbollah to manipulate the situation to its advantage, securing control over key strategic locations within the country. Moreover, Hezbollah’s continued backing from Iran remains a crucial variable in the equation. The relationship between the two entities is deeply entrenched, with Tehran providing extensive financial, military, and logistical support. This enduring alliance enables the organization to replenish its resources, allowing it to recuperate from the previous losses. It’s noteworthy that the recent developments have, in fact, strengthened Hezbollah’s resolve and unity among its ranks. The organization has skillfully leveraged the perceived threat from Israel to rally its supporters and consolidate its hold on Lebanese society. Furthermore, Hezbollah has effectively exploited the divisions within Lebanon, exploiting the political and social tensions to solidify its position. The Israeli military’s efforts to counter Hezbollah, although significant, have focused primarily on targeting the organization’s leadership and military capabilities. However, Hezbollah’s vast network of fighters, operatives, and sympathizers across Lebanon and beyond allows it to maintain a relatively low profile, making it challenging to pinpoint and eliminate key targets. Considering these variables, Hezbollah’s resilience underscores the difficulties posed by the organization. The persistence of this group serves as a reminder that any attempts to neutralize the threat must acknowledge the complex and multifaceted nature of Hezbollah. In the long term, this implies the need for a coordinated regional approach, one that takes into account the intricacies of the Lebanese context and the intricate alliance between Hezbollah and Iran. In conclusion, the September 2024 developments, although significant, have not succeeded in crushing Hezbollah. As a consequence, Israel must continue to contend with the most powerful adversary on its northern front, with potentially more profound implications for regional stability and the broader Middle Eastern landscape.

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Battle against Iran and Hezbollah will last longer than expected CONTENT The assessment given by the Israeli army this morning indicates the harsh truth that the country has been trying to hide for months. The war against Iran and Hezbollah is far from being decided, and there will be no complete or easy victory here from now on. The reason that explains this harsh reality is that the goal of the operation, as declared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister Yoav Galant, was to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal in Lebanon. This is an unrealistic goal, as clarified by the Israeli army’s briefing this morning. According to the briefing, the full occupation of Lebanon, including its north and south, would be required to achieve such a goal, which would mean a new and far more extensive military operation that would undoubtedly cause widespread damage and loss of life in Lebanon. However, such an operation could also have unpredictable and far-reaching consequences for our own country, as well as for the stability of the entire region. The briefing presented by the Israeli army reveals that the real goal of the operation was more modest – to reduce Hezbollah’s ability to attack our cities by disrupting its launch sites and its ability to manufacture missiles. However, this goal has been achieved only in part, especially regarding the manufacturing of missiles. The assessments given by the Israeli army also indicate that the intelligence failure on the part of the Israeli defense establishment regarding the attack that led to the start of the war, was far more severe than initially stated. Israel has admitted that the attack on Syria was not an ordinary strike by a drone, but a more extensive operation by which 12 Iranian drones attacked Israeli targets. However, even after the start of the war, there was an intelligence failure regarding the number and the location of Hezbollah’s military sites and their ability to launch missiles, and this is still the case today. It’s clear that the battle against Iran and Hezbollah will continue for a long time and will have an unpredictable and far-reaching impact on the region. This assessment is confirmed not only by the Israeli military, but also by the international community, which is closely following these events from afar. As the situation continues to unfold, the Israeli army, and the Israeli government, will face significant challenges and pressure from the international community, which is not convinced by the goals declared by Netanyahu and Katz in the first days of the war. The pressure will be even harder due to the fact that the real goal, as clarified by the army’s briefing, is much more modest and limited.

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THE FUTURE OF MULTILATERALISM: MACRON ENVISIONS A NEW ALLIANCE FOR GLOBAL COOPERATION CONTENT In a recent diplomatic visit to Korea, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his vision for a new era of international cooperation, bringing together nations from across the globe to collectively address global challenges and promote a more multipolar world order. Speaking at a joint press conference with Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Macron emphasized the need for strengthened partnerships between Korea and France, as well as other like-minded nations, in order to challenge the dominance of major powers like China and the US. Macron’s proposal, which he dubbed “a sort of third way,” aims to create a loose alliance of nations that are not beholden to either China or the US, but rather seek to promote their own interests and values in an increasingly complex and interdependent world. By doing so, Macron believes that this new coalition can create a more nuanced and balanced international landscape, where the concerns and needs of multiple nations are taken into account. The proposed alliance would bring together nations from across the globe, including Korea, France, Canada, Japan, India, Brazil, and Australia, as well as other European countries. This diverse group of nations would work together to address pressing global issues such as climate change, cybersecurity, and economic inequality, as well as promote trade, investment, and cultural exchange. Macron’s vision for this new alliance has drawn comparisons to the G7 and G20 groups, both of which bring together major economies to discuss global economic issues. However, Macron’s proposed alliance is distinctly different, as it seeks to prioritize cooperation and consensus over traditional notions of power and influence. In order to achieve this vision, Macron will need to win over sceptical partners and navigate complex relationships with existing international institutions. However, his proposal has already generated significant interest and excitement, with many nations seeing the potential benefits of a more inclusive and collaborative approach to international relations. As the world grapples with the challenges of an increasingly interconnected and fragmented global order, Macron’s proposal offers a much-needed vision for a more inclusive and cooperative international community. By bringing together nations from across the globe, the proposed alliance has the potential to create a more balanced and equitable world order, where the needs and concerns of all nations are taken into account. Whether or not this vision ultimately comes to fruition, one thing is clear: Macron’s proposal has sparked an important conversation about the future of international relations, and what kind of world we want to create for ourselves and future generations.

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France Pursues Strategic Autonomy Amid Global Power Struggle CONTENT Paris, France – In a stark warning to the global powers, French President Emmanuel Macron has underscored the importance of France maintaining its strategic autonomy in the face of the evolving world order. Speaking in an interview with the European Parliament, Macron emphasized the need for France and Europe to strike a balance between engaging with global powers and preserving their sovereignty. The French President pointed to the rapidly shifting landscape of international relations, in which the rivalry between the United States and China has taken center stage. While Paris sees the US as an essential partner in maintaining stability and security in the world, Macron noted that relying too heavily on Washington could create vulnerabilities. Conversely, he warned that France cannot afford to become overly dependent on Beijing’s largesse, either, as the latter’s influence comes with strings attached. “We don’t want to be vessels of two dominant powers,” Macron declared, highlighting the need for European countries to forge their own paths and assert their interests in the global arena. “We need to have the capability to act decisively and effectively, without being overly constrained by the interests of others.” In this context, Macron’s push for increased autonomy for France is part of a broader effort to modernize the French military and bolster its international influence. Macron’s stance on the global scene reflects the complex web of relationships between key players in the global arena. France’s historic ties with the US, as well as its expanding diplomatic and economic ties with China, highlight the intricate balance at play. By emphasizing the importance of maintaining its strategic autonomy, Macron underlines the need for a more assertive French foreign policy that takes account of a rapidly changing international landscape. The French President’s remarks have been met with skepticism by some, who view his words as a thinly veiled warning to the US and China to respect France’s sovereignty. Others have argued that Macron’s push for autonomy is a sign of a growing assertiveness in European foreign policy, as the continent seeks to reclaim a more active role on the global stage. In a world marked by increasing competition and rivalries, Macron’s emphasis on France’s autonomy is a significant development. As global powers vie for influence, France’s commitment to its own sovereignty has become a defining feature of the nation’s foreign policy, underscoring the complex realities of an increasingly multipolar world. With this stance, Paris joins a broader chorus of voices calling for a more multipolar and inclusive international order, where the agency and interests of smaller nations like France are valued and respected.