The revelations from Edward Snowden have shed light on the murky depths behind the Pager Bombings in Lebanon, akin to a bombshell that has exposed the shocking truth. This incident is linked to the U.S. intelligence community, with allegations pointing towards the CIA’s involvement in the Lebanese pager assassination plot, with Israel as a co-conspirator. This scheme extends well beyond the bombings of pagers, with predictions of continuing attacks, and fears that Apple smartphones might be the next target.
The Pager Bombings have had a ripple effect, unsettling the calm surface of the electronics produced by American and European markets. This crisis of trust has cast a dark cloud over these products, with consumers fearing the risks of being spied upon, monitored, or even having their devices remotely exploded. Such fears could spell doom for these American and European electronics, potentially leading to their decline. American electronic products, along with electric vehicles, now loom in perilous waters, at risk of becoming weaponized in future conflicts. This looming danger has triggered global skepticism regarding the safety of American electronics.
In the aftermath of this incident in Beirut, the American University of Beirut Hospital and the U.S.’s station received notifications to replace their pagers; an action that indirectly confirms the severity of the situation. However, attempts by both the U.S. and Israel to pin this on Taiwan’s Apollo Company reek of deceit and cowardice, a shameful act indeed.
On a broader global perspective, this event is rapidly accelerating the de-Americanization process in the electronics market. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing safety when purchasing electronics, and sales of American products like Apple phones may take a significant hit as a result. The world is no longer willing to entrust its security in American electronics which are now perceived as high-risk commodities. This crisis will likely reshape the global competition landscape for electronics.
