WSJ What’s News: Israel Risks a Quagmire in Widening Lebanon War

Hosted by The Wall Street Journal

Introduction

In this episode of WSJ What’s News, host Luke Vargas delves into the escalating tensions in the Middle East, focusing on Israel's deepening involvement in the Lebanon conflict against Hezbollah. The discussion includes insights from Journal correspondent Dov Lieber, updates on U.S.-Iran relations, the political landscape surrounding Donald Trump's attorney general pick, and a comprehensive overview of recent international economic developments. Notable quotes from experts and key figures are highlighted with timestamps to provide a deeper understanding of the unfolding events.

1. Israel’s Escalation in Lebanon

The episode opens with a critical analysis of Israel's ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon. Israeli troops have intensified their campaign against Hezbollah, which has raised concerns about a potential protracted conflict.

Journal correspondent Dov Lieber provides an in-depth perspective on the situation:

“They've managed to, in the last month and a half, really clear out a lot of what Hezbollah had built along its border... Israel has said they've killed over 2,000 Hezbollah operatives just in the last month and a half in southern Lebanon.” (01:59)

Despite these efforts, Lieber highlights the strategic dilemma faced by Israel:

“The issue for the Israelis is that it doesn't solve their strategic problem, which is that there's no ceasefire.” (02:42)

As Israel continues its military pressure, there is optimism from both Israeli and American officials about brokering a ceasefire. However, the introduction of new goals complicates the situation. Lieber notes the confusion arising from Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz's declaration to completely disarm Hezbollah:

“He added to those goals, disarming Hezbollah. And the chief of staff sitting right next to him did a little double take, looked right at him, he looked incredibly confused because that's not supposed to be the goal...” (03:33)

This shift raises concerns about the potential for Israel to become deeply entangled in a prolonged guerrilla campaign.

2. U.S.-Iran Relations and Trump’s Security

In a significant development, it was revealed that Tehran sent a secret message assuring Washington that Iran would not attempt to assassinate then-candidate Donald Trump. This communication came in the wake of heightened tensions following the Biden administration's warning against such attempts.

Vargas explains the context:

“Iran has long vowed revenge against the now president-elect for his decision to order the 2020 killing of one of its key military leaders, Qassem Soleimani.” (06:03)

Despite these assurances, Justice Department officials have indicated ongoing threats from Iran targeting Trump, highlighting the fraught nature of U.S.-Iran relations.

3. Controversy Surrounding Trump’s Attorney General Pick

The episode transitions to U.S. domestic politics, focusing on President Trump's nomination of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Gaetz faces substantial opposition within the Senate Republican caucus, with more than three senators reportedly opposing his nomination. The resistance is fueled by concerns over Gaetz's background and the ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

Quotes from the segment include:

“More than three and potentially more than a dozen GOP senators oppose his nomination.” (07:46)

Senators from both parties have expressed a desire to scrutinize Gaetz's background thoroughly, emphasizing that they will not yield their authority over the confirmation process. Trump's strategy to nominate Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general reflects his intent to secure key cabinet positions despite the challenges.

4. International Economic Developments

The episode provides a comprehensive overview of recent economic data and forecasts from key global economies:

• United Kingdom: The UK economy grew by a modest 0.1% in the third quarter, signaling a sharper slowdown than expected. Economist Paul Hannon comments on the mixed outlook:

  “The slowdown in the UK economy was sharper than expected, and the outlook is pretty uncertain.” (09:46)

  Factors influencing this include the incoming UK government's budget measures versus potential trade headwinds from U.S. tariffs.

• European Union: The European Commission warns of significant impacts from potential new waves of protectionism, particularly affecting manufacturing-heavy economies like Germany.

  “Germany, with a lot of factories exporting cars to the US would be hit harder than Spain...” (10:43)

• China: Economic indicators show signs of improvement with rising retail sales and steady investment in buildings and fixed assets. However, industrial production and the real estate sector remain weak. Economists caution that China must implement further measures to sustain growth amid potential U.S. trade tensions.

• Japan: Economic growth in Japan slowed slightly in the third quarter despite recovering consumption. The Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates in response to the weakening yen and rising import costs.

Conclusion

WSJ What’s News provides a thorough examination of the multifaceted issues shaping global and domestic landscapes. From the precarious situation in Lebanon and shifting U.S.-Iran dynamics to the political turbulence surrounding Trump's administration and the latest economic indicators from major economies, the episode offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the current events influencing markets and international relations.

Produced by Kate Bullivant and Daniel Bach, with supervising producer Christina Rocca, this episode ensures that audiences are well-informed on the critical developments that matter.

Notable Quotes:

• Dov Lieber on Israel's strategic challenges: “...without a ceasefire, the way to get there is unclear.” (02:46)
• Dov Lieber on the potential for a protracted conflict: “...they find themselves where they don't want to be, which is very deep in Lebanon, fighting a guerrilla campaign against Hezbollah.” (02:46)
• Paul Hannon on UK's economic outlook: “The slowdown in the UK economy was sharper than expected, and the outlook is pretty uncertain.” (09:46)

For more updates, tune in to the next episode of WSJ What’s News.