Cluster F

Hi Global Recap readers,

Even in the United States, many chose to skip today’s vice presidential debate. However, I wasn’t one of them.

As expected, it unfolded predictably, and this photo perfectly sums it up:

Even CNN agrees. Many of my friends who support Harris were even devastated by Walz’s performance.

Now, for the main point: POLITICO Magazine posted this on their Instagram:

Yes, they’re basically claiming that Vance’s beard conveys aggression (i.e. toxic masculinity), while Walz’s bewildered eyes reflect passion.

You really can’t make this stuff up.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Escalates

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified, with significant casualties and strategic maneuvers on both sides.

Meanwhile: Israel must decide whether to:

• heed the US’s call for a minimal response to the unprecedented Iranian missile attack, which endangered millions of Israeli Jews, Muslims, and Christians, or

• to retaliate decisively, crippling Iran and making it clear that such aggression won’t be tolerated.

Deadly Clashes

Israel reported that eight Israeli soldiers were killed in combat in south Lebanon.

• This marks the deadliest loss for Israel in the past year of border clashes.

• Hezbollah reported destroying three Israeli Merkava tanks with rockets.

Israeli Response

Israel has ramped up its military operations.

• Infantry and armored units have joined ground operations in Lebanon.

• The focus is on destroying tunnels and infrastructure near the border.

Response to Recent Iranian Attack

Many are now questioning how Israel will respond to the recent Iranian missile attack, which involved over 180 missiles being fired at Israel. Key points to consider:

• Rosh Hashanah (October 2–4), the Jewish New Year, is one of Israel’s holiest days. This makes it unlikely that Israel would launch a major operation during this time. Perhaps this could be used to lull Khamenei into a false sense of security, making it easier to eliminate him (?)

• While Israel’s supporters argue for a retaliatory strike on Iran’s oil reserves and nuclear facilities, reports suggest that the US is working to suppress Israeli retaliation to prevent further escalation.

Meme

Despite the seriousness of the conflict unfolding in the Middle East, people haven’t stopped making memes about it. It seems to be a way of lightening the mood during these challenging times.

• After publishing yesterday’s newsletter, I realized I forgot to attach this meme:

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
UN Chief Declared Persona Non Grata

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has declared UN Secretary-General António Guterres “persona non grata” over his response to Iran’s missile attack.

Guterres Barred

What does this mean? Essentially, António Guterres is no longer welcome in Israel.

• Katz criticized Guterres for not condemning Iran by name after the missile attack.

• He accused Guterres of supporting terrorists and global terror.

• Below was Guterres’ response to the missile attack.

Authority Questioned

There is uncertainty about Katz’s authority to enforce this decision.

• Reports suggest only the interior minister has the power to bar entry.

• The Population, Immigration, and Border Authority has not confirmed Katz’s authority.

According to Katz:

🇯🇵 JAPAN
WWII Bomb Explodes

An unexpected blast from the past disrupted Miyazaki Airport in Japan when a World War II-era US bomb exploded, causing significant damage but thankfully no injuries.

The Incident

The bomb exploded at the airport was a 500-pound US bomb from World War II.

• The explosion created a large crater in a taxiway.

• Over 80 flights were canceled due to the incident.

• No aircraft were nearby when the bomb detonated.

Investigation

Authorities are investigating the cause of the sudden detonation.

• The Self-Defense Forces and police confirmed the bomb’s origin.

• There is no threat of a second explosion.

• The airport hopes to resume operations by Thursday morning.

Historical Context

Miyazaki Airport has a wartime history.

• It was built in 1943 as a flight training field for the Imperial Japanese Navy.

• Some kamikaze pilots took off from this location during the war.

  • For those unaware, kamikaze pilots were essentially suicide pilots who deliberately crashed their explosive-filled planes into enemy targets.

• Unexploded bombs from the war are still found in the area.

Ongoing Issues

Unexploded ordnance remains a problem in Japan.

• Hundreds of tons of unexploded bombs are still buried around the country.

• In fiscal year 2023, 2,348 bombs weighing 41 tons were disposed of.

• Similar incidents have occurred in the past, including in 2009 and 2011.

🇮🇷 IRAN
The “Last Shah” of Iran Urges the Military

Did you know that before the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Iran was a monarchy under the Pahlavi dynasty?

The revolution led to the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and cleared the way for the Islamic Republic we see today, with Ayatollah Khomeini as the country’s first supreme leader.

The Former Crown Prince of Iran

Reza Pahlavi is the former crown prince of Iran and the son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran.

• Pahlavi is also the founder and leader of the self-proclaimed National Council of Iran, an exiled opposition group.

• He is actively involved in the Iranian democracy movement.

🤔 Why do I say all this? After Iran’s unprecedented ballistic missile attack on Israel yesterday, Reza Pahlavi published a post on X, addressing the people of “the great nation of Iran.”

Summary

In it, he condemned the Iranian regime for its long history of supporting terrorism and inciting wars, culminating in a recent rocket attack on Israel, which he views as an act of war against both Israel and the Iranian people.

• He asserted that the regime’s nature opposes Iran’s national interests, peace, and stability, warning that reform within this regime is impossible.

• Pahlavi also urged military forces to resist Khamenei’s ambitions and calls for national unity to end the regime’s 45-year rule, advocating for a free and prosperous Iran.

Response

You might expect many to see this as a rebellious act of subversion and criticize it. However, the comments section is filled with supporters who view him as the rightful leader of Iran.

• Is this the majority view of Pahlavi among Iranians? Maybe, maybe not. However, it doesn’t negate his popularity among many Iranians who oppose the current Islamic regime.

Thoughts

Will we witness another political change in Iran? Or is this merely a fleeting moment in Iran’s long history that will be remembered as just another event?

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Russia Deploys “Vacuum Bomb” (Supposedly)

Russia has reportedly used one of its most powerful non-nuclear weapons in Ukraine, causing significant destruction and controversy.

It is often called the Vacuum Bomb.

Bomb Deployment

Russia allegedly dropped the bomb on Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast. However, there are conflicting claims about the type of bomb used.

• Pro-Kremlin military bloggers claim it was just the ODAB-9000, a three-ton glide bomb.

• Ukrainian sources disagree, arguing it was a smaller ODAB-3000 thermobaric bomb, pointing to the absence of appropriate aircraft movement.

• Thermobaric bombs draw in oxygen to create intense explosions, potentially constituting a war crime in civilian areas.

Strategic Impact

The strike follows recent Russian losses in the region.

• Russia’s attack came after Ukrainian forces drove them from the Volchansky chemical plant.

• The bombardment is seen as retribution for these territorial losses.