PDB Afternoon Bulletin | December 23rd, 2024: Mossad Agents Expose Beeper Bomb Operation & Syria's New Rulers Seek End To Sectarian Violence

Summary

The President's Daily Brief
Episode Summary: PDB Afternoon Bulletin | December 23rd, 2024
Host: Mike Baker
Release Date: December 23, 2024

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1. Israel's Covert Operation Against Hezbollah

Overview

In this episode, Mike Baker delves into Israel's meticulously orchestrated covert operation aimed at crippling Hezbollah’s military capabilities. This operation, spearheaded by Mossad agents, involved the infiltration of Hezbollah's procurement channels to supply them with explosive-laden communication devices, effectively dismantling the organization from within.

Operation Genesis and Execution

The operation commenced approximately a decade ago when Hezbollah sought to acquire a significant number of communication devices for its fighters. Mossad agents established a shell company to sell Hezbollah walkie-talkies imbued with concealed explosives. This strategy effectively allowed Israel to penetrate Hezbollah's supply chain without arousing suspicion.

Strategic Infiltration of Pager Supply

Fast forwarding to 2022, Mossad identified another opportunity when Hezbollah transitioned from smartphones to pagers, purchasing them from Taiwan-based Gold Apollo. Seizing this, Israeli intelligence created BAC Consulting in Budapest to masquerade as a legitimate pager supplier. This front enabled them to introduce pagers equipped with remotely-triggered explosives. To maintain the facade, Mossad diversified their cover by operating multiple shell companies and fulfilling legitimate pager orders for other clients.

A retired Mossad agent revealed to 60 Minutes:

"We created a pretend world. We're a global production company. We write the screenplay, where the directors were, the producers were the main actors, and the world is our stage."
[04:15]

Deployment and Impact

By September 2024, with approximately 5,000 explosive-laden pagers in Hezbollah’s possession, Mossad triggered the devices, resulting in simultaneous explosions among Hezbollah fighters. Additionally, explosive walkie-talkies detonated at militant funerals, amplifying psychological terror within the group. This dual assault led to the death of two dozen fighters and incapacitated around 1,500 others. The destabilization culminated in the assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, just ten days post-operation.

Consequences and Ceasefire

The psychological and operational blow dealt to Hezbollah forced the organization into a state of panic and disarray. Subsequent targeted strikes by Israel eradicated much of Hezbollah’s senior leadership, effectively reducing its operational capabilities. By the end of November 2024, Hezbollah was compelled to enter negotiations, culminating in a ceasefire which marked a significant decline in its ability to wage sustained conflict against Israel.

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2. Syria's New Leadership: A Promising Shift Towards Inclusivity

Introduction to Ahmed Al Shara

Transitioning to Syria, Mike Baker discusses the emerging political landscape under the new de facto leader, Ahmed Al Shara (formerly Muhammad al Jalani). Al Shara is actively working to bridge divides and end the sectarian violence that has plagued Syria for years.

Reassuring Ethnic and Religious Minorities

In a significant move broadcasted on Lebanese TV, Al Shara engaged in discussions with Lebanon's Druze leader, signaling his commitment to an inclusive governance model. Al Shara emphasized the protection and inclusion of all religious and ethnic groups under the new regime, aiming to dismantle the long-standing sectarian strife.

Al Shara stated during the broadcast:

"Being part of the Islamic environment does not mean the exclusion of other sects. On the contrary, it is our duty to protect them."
[09:45]

Political Maneuvering and Public Perception

Al Shara, leading the Islamist group HTS—the primary force behind the ousting of Assad—faces scrutiny over fears of imposing strict Islamic governance. To mitigate these concerns, Al Shara shed his former militant image, adopting the appearance of a conventional political leader.

His outreach extends to building rapport with diverse communities, including Druze, Kurdish, Christian, and Alawite groups. This strategic shift is part of a broader campaign to foster unity and dispel fears of repression.

Strategic Initiatives and Future Prospects

Al Shara announced plans to dispatch a government delegation to a Druze-majority city in southern Syria. The delegation's mission is to deliver essential services and highlight Syria's religious diversity, reinforcing his commitment to an inclusive political framework.

He expressed optimism regarding Syria-Lebanon relations, viewing Assad’s removal as an opportunity for constructive collaboration. Al Shara’s efforts also include hosting foreign dignitaries, including U.S. diplomats, reaffirming his dedication to rebuilding Syria after thirteen years of civil war.

Challenges Ahead

Despite these initiatives, skepticism remains among both Syrians and international observers about the potential for genuine reform. The success of Al Shara's promises to end sectarian violence and ensure minority protections hinges on his ability to translate rhetoric into tangible policy changes and foster trust across Syria's fragmented society.

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Conclusion

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief, Mike Baker provided insightful analyses into two pivotal geopolitical developments:

1. Israel's Strategic Downfall of Hezbollah: Through a decade-long, meticulously planned operation, Mossad effectively dismantled a major terrorist organization, showcasing the prowess and patience of Israeli intelligence operations.

2. Syria's Tentative Path to Unity: Under Ahmed Al Shara's leadership, Syria embarks on a challenging journey towards inclusivity and peace, addressing deep-seated sectarian divisions with cautious optimism.

These narratives underscore the complex interplay of intelligence, strategy, and political reform in shaping the Middle East's future stability.

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Notable Quotes:

• "We created a pretend world. We're a global production company. We write the screenplay, where the directors were, the producers were the main actors, and the world is our stage."
  — Retired Mossad Agent
  [04:15]

• "Being part of the Islamic environment does not mean the exclusion of other sects. On the contrary, it is our duty to protect them."
  — Ahmed Al Shara
  [09:45]

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For further inquiries or comments, listeners are encouraged to reach out to Mike Baker at [e-mail]. To enjoy the President's Daily Brief ad-free, consider becoming a premium member by visiting pdppremium.com.

Transcript

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[Mike Baker]

It's Monday the 23rd of December. Welcome to the PDB afternoon bulletin. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First, we'll begin with Israel as Mossad agents reveal how they managed to infiltrate Hezbollah's operations and convince the terror group to buy explosive laced pagers and walkie talkies that would ultimately severely cripple Iran's once powerful terrorist army. Then Syria's new de facto leader is attempting to reassure the country's ethnic and religious minorities that they'll be protected under the new Islamist regime, promising an end to the sectarian violence that has long plagued the country. But first, our afternoon spotlight. I want to begin by taking you back to Israel's covert attack on Hezbollah back in September of this year, as Mossad agents reveal new details about how they managed to trick the terror group into buying explosive laced Tawaki talkies and pagers. The surprise attack, which saw thousands of electronic devices simultaneously explode in the hands and pockets of Hezbollah fighters, marked the beginning of the end for the group's ambitions to wage a long term war with Israel. The attack killed two dozen Hezbollah fighters and took another 1,500 of them out of commission while leaving its leaders severely rattled. And just 10 days later, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah would be killed. Now, Speaking anonymously to 60 Minutes on Sunday, two recently retired Mossad agents said the operation began in earnest some 10 years ago, when Hezbollah was looking to purchase a large quantity of communication devices for their fighters. Now, Mossad agents created a shell company through which they sold the group walkie talkies laced with the hidden explosives. The scheme worked with Hezbollah reportedly none the wiser that they had purchased these devices from their arch enemy. And as it turns out, Israel was playing the long game. Fast forward to 2022. Mossad saw another operational opportunity. They learned that Hezbollah had been buying pagers from a Taiwan based company called Gold Apollo. Apparently eager to pivot from smartphones to low tech alternatives out of fear that Israel was exploiting their devices, Israel quickly moved to insert themselves as the supplier. They established a shell company called BAC Consulting, based in Budapest, Hungary, to pose as a legitimate international third party supplier of the pagers, Tricking Gold Apollo into doing business with them. They then began manufacturing pagers laced with an explosive material that could be triggered remotely. To cover their tracks, Mossad also established at least two other shell companies and even took contracts with regular clients who they provided with normal pagers. One of the agents told 60 Minutes, quote, We created a pretend world. We're a global production company. We write the screenplay, where the directors were, the producers were the main actors, and the world is our stage. That's a very flowery way to explain an operation. The retired agents said the pagers intended for Hezbollah had to be made slightly larger to accommodate the explosives hidden inside. They were then tested multiple times on dummies to determine the right amount of explosive material that would be needed to injure the carrier, but not anyone in close proximity. They also studied and tested what ringtones the pagers would use, seeking something that sounded urgent enough to prompt the fighter to take the pager out of their pocket when it was triggered. Once the devices were ready to go, Mossad began working to lure Hezbollah leaders into making a purchase. The agents said it took roughly two weeks to convince Hezbollah to buy these slightly bulkier pagers. They employed false advertisements for the devices on YouTube that marketed the pagers as dustproof, waterproof, and providing a much longer battery life. To further dupe Hezbollah, they posed as businessmen, engineers, and marketing experts. The entire ruse worked, and soon the pagers began shipping directly to Hezbollah. Now, the first shipments arrived in Lebanon in the summer of 2022. But Israel reportedly increased production. And after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah ordered his fighters to ditch their cell phones entirely last February, the shipments subsequently increased, with thousands of pagers arriving over the summer. While the terrorist organization remained unaware of the infiltration, Israeli intelligence officers were waiting for their moment. And on September 17, with roughly 5,000 of the booby trapped pagers now in the hands of Hezbollah fighters, Israel triggered the devices the following day. They also triggered the explosive laced walkie talkies built 10 years earlier, some of which went off at funerals for militants killed in the pager attacks. The agents said the main goal was to send a message not to maximize casualties. The psychological impact on Hezbollah was reportedly severe, leaving their fighters and leaders in a state of panic. In the days that followed, Israel stepped up targeted strikes in Lebanon, killing most of Hezbollah's senior, including Hassan Nasrallah. By the end of November, the group, now a shell of its former self, came to the negotiating table and signed a ceasefire agreement with Israel. Coming up, Syria's new de facto leader is vowing to end the sectarian violence that has long plagued the country, promising the country's ethnic and religious minorities that they'll be protected under the new regime. I'll have those stories when we come back.

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Welcome back to the AFTERNOON bulletin. Religious minorities in Syria, including the nation's Druze and Christians, may find a glimmer of hope ahead of Christmas as de facto leader Ahmed Al Shara, formerly known as Muhammad al Jalani, extends overtures, seeking to reassure them of their role in the emerging political order. In a meeting broadcast on Lebanese TV on Sunday, Shiraz sat down with Lebanon's Druze leader, a figure who represents an Arab minority that practices a distinct offshoot of Islam. In their talks, Shira pledged inclusivity, emphasizing that no religions would be excluded in what he called, quote, a new era far removed from sectarianism, a shift beyond the decades of strife in a nation long fractured by war. Shira, who leads the Islamist group hts, which was the driving force behind Assad's removal earlier this month, is under scrutiny from Syrians and foreign powers as one of the biggest fears has been that HTS would bring a renewed wave of strict Islamic governance and repression on Syria's religious minorities. But Sharab, shedding his former image as a rebel fighter in military fatigues for the look of a political leader in a suit and tie, began his part of a broader campaign to extinguish those fears among serious Druze, Kurdish, Christian and Alawite communities. Speaking on the broadcast, Shiraz stated, quote, being part of the Islamic environment does not mean the exclusion of other sects. On the contrary, it is our duty to protect them, end quote. The Lebanese Druze leader expressed optimism about the future of Syria Lebanon relations, calling Assad's ouster an opportunity for constructive collaboration. The Druze in particular endured systemic challenges under various regimes, and Shiraz rhetoric could be seen as an attempt to secure their buy in during a delicate transitional period. Schirra also announced plans to dispatch a government delegation to a Druze majority city in southern Syria. The delegation's mission, according to Shira, will focus on delivering essential services and underscoring Syria's quote, rich diversity of religions. His public outreach forms part of a broader charm offensive aimed at both domestic and international audiences. As we've been tracking on the pdp, Schirra has hosted numerous foreign dignitaries, including US Diplomats in recent days and reiterated his commitment to rebuilding Syria after 13 years of civil war. Whether Shira's assurances will be enough to calm fears and foster unity among minorities in the war torn country, well, that remains to be seen. But his efforts suggest an acknowledgment of the challenges ahead in steering Syria into this so called new era. And that, my friends, is the PDB Afternoon bulletin for Monday 23rd December. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at pdb@the first tv.com and of course, as you've no doubt probably read in the gossip columns, to listen to the show ad free. Well you can become a premium member of the President's Daily brief by visiting PDP premium.com I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back tomorrow. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.

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