Yael Barekat: The Unsung Hero Behind Israel’s Pager Operation Against Hezbollah

 

One Step Ahead

By Ethan Harel

If there is one name that deserves to be remembered whenever Israel’s audacious pager operation against Hezbollah is discussed, it is Yael Barekat. This brilliant, tenacious young Mossad agent didn’t just participate in the mission—she conceived it, fought for it, and ultimately drove it to success. Her vision and unwavering determination may well have saved the small nation of Israel at a critical moment.

Two years before the horrors of October 7, 2023, Yael and her Mossad colleagues were deeply embedded inside Hezbollah’s organization. They had infiltrated its communications so thoroughly that they could monitor almost every modern device the group used. Then came the pivotal moment: while listening in, Yael overheard Sammy—one of Hassan Nasrallah’s most trusted confidants—discussing the urgent need to switch to primitive, low-tech devices. Hezbollah wanted something the Israelis could not hack or trace. Yael instantly understood the danger. If Hezbollah went dark, Israel would be left blind and deaf to the plans of Iran’s most lethal proxy. That single conversation planted the seed for one of the most creative and daring operations in Mossad history.

When Yael first proposed selling Hezbollah thousands of booby-trapped pagers, she faced fierce resistance. Her superior officer—ironically also her former lover—dismissed the idea. Senior IDF commanders ridiculed it. Yet she refused to back down. She persisted, argued, and refused to let the concept die. Eventually, her passion and logic prevailed.

The operation’s success hinged on exploiting a key weakness: George, a Hezbollah procurement contact who had a well-known fondness for sharp, beautiful businesswomen. Mossad deployed agent Shira to befriend him. Weeks of carefully orchestrated dinners, charm, and persuasion followed. In the end, Shira secured the order—4,000 pagers.

The book takes readers deep into the high-stakes world of building and delivering these devices. Multiple times the entire deal nearly collapsed. Mossad agents were forced to slip into Beirut twice: once to reassure George and Sammy that everything was legitimate, and again to bypass a security firewall after Hezbollah grew suspicious that the pagers had been rigged. The tension is palpable on every page.

In the end, we all know what happened. On September 17, 2024, thousands of pagers exploded across Lebanon, decapitating Hezbollah’s command structure in one devastating blow. Another spectacularly successful Israeli operation—one that might never have occurred without the courage and persistence of a single young woman named Yael Barekat.

This is more than just a spy thriller; it is the remarkable true story of how one agent’s refusal to accept “no” changed the course of a war. Highly recommended.

The Beast within: The San Soo Predator

 

Predator Training – The Inner Beast of San Soo

By Master Greg Jones

Ask yourself: Are you predator or prey? In a real fight—will you stand your ground, or crumble in fear? This book isn’t just about punches; it’s about mindset.

In the wild, predators hunt and prey gets eaten. We humans flip between roles—next to a lion, we’re lunch; next to a rabbit, we’re king. But in everyday life? It’s all mental. Society doesn’t care about claws or fangs—only who acts like they’re on top.

The predator mindset means you never back down. You watch your opponent like a lion sizing up dinner. Most people carry a prey vibe: shaky confidence, eyes down, easy pickings. But real strength? It shows. It scares off trouble before it starts.

Predator Training shows you how to flip that switch—how to tap into the inner beast. It covers San Soo moves for multiple attackers, ambushes, night fights, and more (I’m probably forgetting a few). The explanations are clear, deep, and backed by killer photos that actually help you get it.

If you’re serious about San Soo—or just want to stop feeling like prey—this book’s gold. Read it. Train it. Own it.

Fakhr Din II the Father of Modern Lebanon

 Renaissance Emir : A Druze Warlord in the Court of Medici

By T.J. Gorton

Some historians hail Fakhr al-Din II as the father of modern Lebanon—a visionary Druze warlord who forged an unlikely alliance between the Maronite Christians and the Druze, consolidating control over the regions of Sidon, Beirut, and Safed. Others dismiss him as merely another ambitious local governor clashing with rivals under the Ottoman Empire. Regardless, his success in uniting these fractious communities has cemented his legacy as a founding figure of the Lebanese state. Known as the paramount prince or emir in Arabic, Fakhr al-Din ruled from around 1590 until his death in 1635. Born in 1572 in Lebanon's Shouf Mountains, he was the son of Korkmaz (often associated with Fakhr al-Din I) and grandson of the dynasty's founder. The Ottomans had executed both his father and grandfather, leaving young Fakhr al-Din to inherit a precarious throne amid constant intrigue.

What truly sets Fakhr al-Din apart is his progressive vision for economic development and religious tolerance. He welcomed Christians, Muslims, and Jews into his domain, fostering trade and cultural exchange—though, to be candid, his trust ranked the Maronites highest, followed by Sunnis, with Shiites at the bottom of his preferences. In the Ottoman system, aspiring governors secured their posts by bribing the Sublime Porte in Istanbul. Once installed, they ruled autonomously as long as they remitted taxes and avoided challenging imperial authority. Fakhr al-Din played this game masterfully at first, but his expanding power soon alarmed the Turks, who saw him as a direct threat.

To bolster his position, Fakhr al-Din cultivated alliances with European powers, initially for trade but increasingly for military aid and weapons. These pacts—most notably with Tuscany's Medici family—directly undermined Ottoman suzerainty, enraging Constantinople. In 1613, Ottoman forces invaded, forcing him to flee to the Italian Peninsula. He found refuge in Tuscany at the Medici court, where he spent about five years in exile. This interlude proved transformative: Fakhr al-Din studied European governance, absorbed advanced economic principles, and marveled at Renaissance architecture, sketching ideas to modernize his mountain strongholds upon return. Eventually forgiven (or at least tolerated), he sailed back to Lebanon in 1618, resuming his rule with renewed vigor.

Yet the fragile peace didn't last. His European ties continued to rankle the Ottomans, who viewed them as outright rebellion. In 1633, a massive Ottoman expeditionary force crushed his defenses, capturing Fakhr al-Din and his sons. Imprisoned in Istanbul, he endured two years of captivity before his execution in 1635. His brother and nephews later reclaimed control of the Shouf, preserving the Ma'n dynasty's influence.

Gorton's book is a riveting deep dive into this enigmatic figure, piecing together a narrative from scant primary sources—a testament to the author's archival sleuthing. Fakhr al-Din belonged to the Ma'n dynasty of Druze emirs, and the text weaves in a fascinating primer on Druze origins. Widely regarded as an offshoot of Ismaili Shia Islam, the faith emerged in 1017–1018 CE under the eccentric Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. Blending elements from Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Neoplatonism, and Gnosticism, it spread rapidly through the efforts of missionaries like Hamza ibn Ali and Muhammad al-Darzi. By 1043, the Druze faith closed its doors to converts, emphasizing secrecy and esoteric knowledge. Al-Hakim mysteriously vanished in 1021, fueling divine myths that persist today.

To appeal to his European patrons, Fakhr al-Din claimed Druze descent from ancient Christians who fought alongside Godfrey de Bouillon during the Crusades. Many Druze, however, trace their roots to pre-Islamic antiquity, viewing themselves as heirs to Jethro (Yitro), the Midianite priest from the Bible. Scholars note the community's ethnic mosaic—Arab, Kurdish, Armenian, Persian, and more—reflecting centuries of migration and intermarriage.

Gorton also illuminates Druze social customs, contrasting them sharply with mainstream Islam. While Islamic law permits polygamy (up to four wives) and unilateral male divorce (pronounced thrice before witnesses), Druze marriage is strictly monogamous: one man, one wife, both must be Druze. For a child to inherit Druze identity, both parents must belong to the faith. Notably, either spouse can initiate divorce, promoting greater equity. Fakhr al-Din himself flouted these norms, taking four wives from diverse faiths—a rare indulgence for a Druze leader, as Gorton wryly observes.

The Druze have long been renowned as fierce warriors, and Fakhr al-Din's end exemplifies their unyielding spirit. When informed of his impending execution after two years in chains, he didn't plead for mercy but demanded the chance to die in battle. Kneeling in a manner reminiscent of Christian martyrs, he further incensed the sultan, who ordered his immediate beheading. As Gorton chronicles, life in the Middle East has always been brutal—a timeless truth that makes Fakhr al-Din's story all the more poignant. This slim volume punches above its weight, offering a vivid portrait of a Renaissance prince in an unforgiving age. Highly recommended for anyone intrigued by the tangled roots of the Levant.

Israeli Fitness Tactics

 

Fighting Fit: The Israel Defense Forces Guide to Physical Fitness and Self-Defense

(1983, by Col. David Ben-Asher)

Wondering how Israeli soldiers stay so fit and ready for combat? This book provides a glimpse into IDF-inspired training methods from the early 1980s. It’s quite dated now (Israel’s military fitness programs have evolved since then), but the basics are still practical and accessible for civilians looking for no-equipment workouts or self-defense skills.

The book is divided into three main sections:

1.  Calisthenics and Home Exercises
Focuses on bodyweight exercises you can do anywhere using household furniture like chairs and tables. It covers classics such as push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and other strength-building moves. This is the core of how the book explains soldiers maintaining fitness without fancy gyms.

2.  Combat and Self-Defense Basics
Teaches fundamental techniques for defending against attacks, including blocks against punches, kicks, knives, or guns, plus simple holds like arm locks. It’s straightforward and beginner-friendly, though not advanced martial arts.

3.  Training Variations and Physiology
Includes ideas for creating your own obstacle courses at home to simulate military prep. There’s also a section on basic physiology, covering vitamins, nutrition tips, and health factors to watch out for.

Overall, it’s inexpensive (often found used for cheap), practical for average people wanting functional fitness or basic self-defense, and emphasizes real-world applicability—no gym required. The dated aspects (like some exercise recommendations) mean it’s not cutting-edge, but the principles hold up well for home training.

I’d recommend it to anyone interested in old-school, military-style conditioning or Krav Maga-style self-defense roots. Solid 4/5 for timeless basics with a historical twist!