Two recent news stories show an interesting contrast in the world of journalism.
First up, CBS News aired a report on stolen U.S. weapons being sold openly in bazaars in Pakistan. The report gave the impressions that the latest arms from the Arsenal of Democracy, were either stolen, looted, or sold by traitorous U.S. troops.
But some with weapons experience are now questioning the veracity of the report, claiming the network tried to pass off non-U.S. military equipment as the real (stolen) thing.
A while ago, someone floated the idea that, in the interests of diversity, every news organization should reach out to certain groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the media. Veterans were near the top of the list. It seems self-evident that if CBS had ran these clips past someone with even a passing familiarity with the armed services, they would have saved themselves plenty of embarrassment. But enough of the fake story that getting play. Let’s look at a real story that is getting woefully under-reported.
Ever since the fighting in Gaza ended, the UN has been collecting unexploded munitions. They put them in a warehouse pending their safe disposal, and there are few safe ways of dismantling unexploded ordnance. Then the UN got the bright idea of asking Hamas to guard the warehouse. This was an absolute stroke of genius. What could go wrong with having terrorists protect a building filled with high explosives?
Really, who could have predicted that, under Hamas’s watchful eye, seven tons of bombs would get stolen?
Hamas’ motive to appropriate the ordnance is unclear, although most estimate that the group believes the unexploded shells can be reused. Hamas has yet to officially comment on the allegations, though sources within the organization said it was highly likely that members of the military wing sought to reuse the weaponry.
Hamas has plenty of people extremely practiced in working with explosives. They will, no doubt, attempt to return each and every bit of it to Israel — wrapped in rockets, mortars, and suicide vests.
The UN will make noises about being victims here, but these will be pro forma protests. There will be no real consequences for Hamas’s abuse of the UN. And the story seems to remain under the radar of most of the western media.
