Middle East madness: Iran bombs Israel

Written by: Aarthi Ramnath, Aakriti Anand & Raghav Bikhchandani

Middle East madness: Iran bombs Israel

Quick context: Tel Aviv has been baiting Tehran for months—killing its top commanders in air strikes—and that of its allies—Hamas and Hezbollah. But Iran has shown surprising restraint. That’s mainly because its economy is in shambles—and it desperately needs the West to end sanctions.

And that’s what Iran was focused on in New York—at the General Assembly meeting. Then Israel launched hundreds of air strikes on Lebanon, killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah—and launched a “limited” ground invasion. Our Big Story on Nasrallah’s assassination offers context on Hezbollah.

What happened now: Iran launched 180 missiles towards Israel—some of which hit Tel Aviv. As expected, Iran cited the assassinations of Nasrallah and its own leaders as ‘just cause’ for the attack.

The damage: IDF says there have been no reports of casualties. There is evidence that both the US and Jordan helped shoot down a number of missiles. The country is also protected by a sophisticated ‘Iron Dome’ system of air defences—which has been very effective in intercepting short-range rockets. BBC News has lots more on that angle.

But, but, but: Iran claims “90% of projectiles hit their targets”—which were three IDF military bases. That said, PBS has footage of a massive crater just outside the Mossad HQ in Tel Aviv:

OTOH, there are bizarre visuals of people taking cheery selfies alongside a fallen missile in Ramallah.

Point to note: Iran fired some hypersonic Fattah missiles—with a maximum speed of 10,000 mph. Hypersonic missiles are those missiles that can move at 5X speed of sound—i.e 1.7 kilometres per second or 6,174 kilometres per hour.

What’s next: PM Netanyahu declared: “Iran made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it. Whoever attacks us, we attack them”—and went back to bombing Lebanon… for now. Iran warned any attempt at retaliation would meet a response that would be “more crushing and ruinous.” Washington unsurprisingly called the attack “unacceptable”—and reiterated support for Israel:

“Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect US forces operating in the region” after “defending against Iranian-launched missiles targeting Israel”, a US defence official said on condition of anonymity.

Point to note: US allies like Japan have been more cautious:

Iran’s attack is unacceptable. We will condemn this strongly. But at the same time, we would like to cooperate to defuse the situation and prevent it from escalating into a full-on war.

The UK, however, has kept to the US line: "We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self defence in the face of this aggression.”

Is this war? Maybe. Netanyahu is almost guaranteed to launch a massive counter-attack—to save face and assert Israeli dominance. The US is almost guaranteed to support his response—while making noises about a ceasefire.

So the real question is whether Bibi can show restraint—both in response to Tehran and in Lebanon. As CNN notes:

[W]e’re now entering a new phase of this conflict in which key decisions must be made by an Israeli prime minister who has shown himself to be maximalist in his military steps, and who is also desperately in need of a prolonged conflict to maintain his grip on power.

Worse: Bibi has every incentive to go all-out:

With Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv, it is far harder for Washington to try to influence his actions, and much tougher for the prime minister’s opponents to call for his ousting.

Today, Netanyahu is also significantly closer to his long-standing ambition: to involve the US in a war on Iran which will destroy its nuclear programme, now close to the capacity to make a weapon after the collapse of the 2015 multilateral agreement, the JCPOA, which kept the programme within limits.

What about Iran? Its missiles are more powerful and a longer range than those of Hamas or Hezbollah—as you can see in this BBC News chart:

But others argue it “does not have the resources nor the willingness to lead a wider regional response against Israel.”

Also this: Washington’s support of Israel has been cost-free for now. But if the situation continues to escalate, Iran will be pushed into a corner—with less to lose. So this could become the critical bit:

Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups meanwhile said US bases in Iraq and the region will be targets if the US joins any response to Iranian strikes on Israel or if Israel uses Iraqi airspace against Tehran.

This is the Middle East. Anything can and will happen.

Reading list: Al Jazeera offers the best overview of what happened—and what may come next. The Guardian argues war is more likely than ever. This CNN analysis offers a sceptical view of Tehran’s ability to conduct a wider war.

Raids on the Sadhguru

The context: Jaggi Vasudev—known as Sadhguru—is the founder and head of the Isha Foundation—which has 300 branches around the world. He is a celeb guru—beloved in Bollywood, Hollywood—and to the Prime Minister. Vox has lots more on his global celeb status.

What happened now: A team of 150 police officers raided the Thondamuthur ashram of the Isha Foundation—in Tamil Nadu. It was ordered by the Madras High Court—which has asked for a report on all criminal cases filed against the foundation.

About the court case: The court is currently hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by a retired professor—S Kamaraj. He claims that the ashram is holding his daughters, Geetha Kamaraj (42) and Latha Kamaraj (39) against their will.

According to the petition, the organisation allegedly brainwashed the sisters, turned them into monks, and cut off their contact with their family… Kamaraj’s petition alleged that the foundation administered food and medicines that dulled their cognitive faculties and isolated them from their family.

The High Court judges seem to be sympathetic to Kamaraj’s claims—pointing out that Sadhguru’s own daughter was married—even as he preached celibacy for other women.

But, but, but: The two women appeared in court to assure the justices that they are at the ashram of their own free will. Both are highly educated engineers—with successful careers. Also a little suspect: The judicial mansplaining:

However, the strained relationship between the sisters and their parents came under scrutiny. Justice Subramaniam addressed the Kamaraj sisters, stating, "You claim to follow the path of spirituality, yet you neglect your parents. Neglecting one’s parents is a sin. Devotion teaches us to ‘love all and hate none’, but there seems to be a lack of respect here."

What’s with the raid? The petitioner’s lawyer brought up criminal cases filed against Isha—upon which the court asked for a list of the same. We’re not sure why that would prompt a full-on raid.

The ashram, however, insists all is well:

As per the court order, the police, including the SP, have come to the Isha Yoga Center for a general inquiry. They are inquiring with residents and volunteers, understanding the lifestyle, understanding how they come in and stay, etc.

Point to note: There have been questions about Isha’s dubious land deals near Coimbatore—where the main ashram is located. NewsLaundry did an in-depth investigation into those claims back in 2021. Business Standard and Indian Express have more on the case and raid.

The tragic end of the NDTV story

The context: In 2017, the CBI raided the offices and homes of NDTV founders Prannoy and Radhika Roy over allegations of fraud—the roots of which were in a loan taken to buy back NDTV shares.

The Roys first took a loan from IndiaBulls Financial Services. To pay back that loan, they took a loan from ICICI. The CBI claimed that NDTV and ICICI entered into a “criminal conspiracy” to transfer ownership to a shell company. To pay back ICICI, they took a Rs 3.5 billion (350 crore) loan from a shell company named Vishvapradhan Commercial Private Limited, or VCPL (explained in great detail in this Big Story).

What happened next: Enter Gautam Adani—who bought VCPL and therefore its loans—and now owns NDTV—after a ‘hostile takeover’ All this financial skulduggery—including a Reliance angle—explained in this Big Story.

What happened now: Seven years after raiding the Roys, the CBI has finally closed its case due to lack of evidence. The agency’s case is the main reason why the Roys were unable to hold on to NDTV. In June 2019, SEBI had barred the Roys from occupying directorial or key managerial positions in the channel for a period of two years. Btw, while the raids of the Roys made big headlines—this bit of news has been relegated to a thin PTI story. An ending that surely deserves a Netflix treatment.

An Epic battle against Google

The context: In 2020, Epic Games—maker of Fortnite—filed a lawsuit accusing Google of playing favourites. While some companies had to pay 30% of their revenue to the company, others got secret sweetheart deals—allowing them to pay less or even nothing at all. Epic won that case in December 2023 and has since launched its own app store—on both Apple and Android phones.

What happened now: Four years later, Epic is suing Google again—along with Samsung. The accusation: They have colluded to keep Google’s app store monopoly on Samsung phones:

The lawsuit revolves around Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which now comes turned-on-by-default on new Samsung phones. While it’s turned on, it automatically keeps users from installing apps unless they come from “authorized sources” — namely, Google and Samsung’s app stores. Epic claims there’s no process for any rival store to become “authorized.”

Apparently, there is an exhausting 21-step process to turn off the Auto Blocker on Samsung phones. It also doesn’t tell you how you can turn the feature off—even if you wanted to go through that kind of trouble.

But, but, but: Sweeney admitted that Epic has no concrete proof that Samsung and Google are in cahoots—nor did he ask Samsung to make the Epic app store an “authorised” app, before filing the lawsuit. Both Samsung and Google have denied Epic’s claims in statements to the press. The Verge has lots more.

what caught our eye

business & tech

Economic Times has a good read on why through its IPO, Swiggy is gearing up for a quick commerce street fight with Zomato.
The existing GST regime which levies 40% taxation on carbonated drinks is hampering innovation, according to Indian Beverage Association chief JP Meena.
An update on the Samsung workers’ protests in Tamil Nadu—police confirmed on Tuesday that they had detained 912 protesting workers and union members for a day, before releasing them.
Ford is in talks to re-enter the Indian market by way of manufacturing EVs in Tamil Nadu, the state’s Industries Minister TRB Rajaa says.
Another day, another bizarre policy change at Elon Musk’s X—the social media platform’s volatile owner has now banned the overuse of bold fonts because his “eyes are bleeding”.
Speaking of bizarre policy changes, Reddit now requires moderators to take its permission before making subreddits private.
YouTube has been sued in the US over claims that the video platform is fuelling a mental health crisis.

sports & entertainment

International men’s cricket saw a pair of resignations on Tuesday—Babar Azam will no longer lead Pakistan’s white ball teams, while Tim Southee has stepped down as New Zealand’s Test captain.
In a freak incident, Govinda has accidentally shot himself in the leg and is currently receiving treatment.
Financial Times (splainer gift link) has a must-read on Jay-Z and Megan Thee Stallion severing ties with accounting firm BDO. The reason: theft.
Sony Pictures Entertainment sees a changing of guard—Tony Vinciquerra will make way for Ravi Ahuja as CEO in 2025.
Pop punk pettiness is back—Las Vegas radio stations are removing Green Day from rotation after frontman Billie Joe Armstrong labelled the city as the US’ “worst shithole”.

as for the rest

Nelson Amenya does not regret being the whistleblower who exposed months-long secret talks for Adani Group to lease Kenya’s main airport, but fears for his life.
IIT Bombay is encouraging its students to take up research opportunities at Israeli universities. Several student groups are, understandably, not happy.
At least 120 people—including activist Sonam Wangchuk—were detained by Delhi Police for protesting against Ladakh’s Union Territory status. Check out our Big Story for more context.
Say hello to Andhra Pradesh’s new liquor policy, which allows private retail outlets to sell daaru.
Bye, bye to UK coal—the country’s last holdout power station has shut down.
US dockworkers from the East Coast and the Gulf Coast have gone on strike, halting half of the country’s ocean shipping.
Think Global Health has a must-read on how India is unprepared for a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) crisis.

Six things to see

One: JD Vance and Tim Walz faced off in the Veep debate—which was unremarkable. Except for Walz telling the world that he is “friends with school shooters”—which is not the ‘win’ he thinks it is. CNN has more of the key takeaways.

Two: Amazon has a bizarre new show called ‘Buy It Now’—think Shark Tank X Home Shopping:

Contestants pitch their ideas to the audience. If the crowd votes for them, then the panelists pick which ones will show up on Amazon’s Buy It Now Store: a new storefront launching alongside the show that viewers can reach using a QR code that shows up during episodes. One presenter per episode will get a $20,000 prize, too.

The initial three out of 13 episodes (?!) will drop on Amazon Prime on October 30. (The Verge)

Three: On Monday, Bengaluru people witnessed a rare 80,000-year-old comet passing our planet. It is approximately 129.6 million kilometres away—and is visible to the naked eye. From October 12 onwards, it can be viewed in the west horizon—soon after sunset. (Mint)

Four: A new Picasso?! A painting bought by a junk dealer back in 1962 has been revealed to be a portrait of Dora Maar—mistress of Pablo Picasso—painted by the master himself. It is valued at €6 million ($6.7 million). (The Guardian)

Five: Here’s a Halloween-themed trailer—for a movie that will actually drop on Christmas day. We are super excited about Robert Eggers’s ‘Nosferatu’—starring Willem Dafoe, Lily-Rose Depp, and Bill Skarsgård. (Gizmodo)

Six: Far less scary is this trailer for ‘No Good Deed’—from ‘Dead to Me’ creator Liz Feldman—starring Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano. This dark comedy series follows the couple putting up their gorgeous, century-old home in LA for sale but the house is full of haunting secrets which may scare the potential buyers. The show drops on Netflix on December 12. (Hollywood Reporter)