The DSR Network DSR Daily March 24: Israel Announces Occupation of Lebanon
Mar 24, 2026
Discussion of Israel's announced occupation of southern Lebanon and its humanitarian and legal implications. Confirmation of Markwayne Mullin as DHS secretary and debate over his influence on immigration policy. Analysis of partisan disparities in disaster aid approvals under the Trump administration. Conversation about Supreme Court mail-in ballot arguments and concerns about performative ICE airport operations.
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DHS Change Won't Limit Existing White House Control
- Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as DHS Secretary amid a shutdown leaving many employees unpaid, but hosts question his capacity to change policy.
- David Rothkopf argues real control remains with Donald Trump and Stephen Miller, making improvement unlikely.
Israel Plans Occupation Of Southern Lebanon
- Israel announced plans to occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, explicitly seeking a defensive buffer and possible annexation.
- Riley Fessler and David Rothkopf link this to tactics used in Gaza and warn it displaces over a million people and risks wider regional destabilization.
Disaster Aid Shows Partisan Approval Gap
- Analysis shows FEMA approved far fewer disaster aid requests from Democratic-led states (23%) versus Republican-led states (89%) under Trump.
- David Rothkopf calls this politicization corrupt and highlights real victims: disaster-struck citizens denied aid for partisan reasons.