Recent psychological research suggests that Americans unaffiliated with traditional religions are more likely to believe in UFOs, ghosts, and the like than their affiliated counterparts. This conclusion, writes David French, gives the lie to the “myth” that “if you defeat the forces of traditional Christianity . . . then you’ll make way for a more enlightened, rational, and humane nation and world. In other words, the alternative to religion is [considered to be] reason, and reason is mankind’s great liberating force.” French argues that the real alternative is something significantly worse:

In the United States we’re replacing an organized, systematic theology with . . . nothing. Sure, there’s the moralistic therapeutic deism of the modern “spiritual” American, but its “God wants me to be happy” ethos isn’t quite up to the challenge of dealing with real life. So, we search and search, and in the immortal worlds of the [country-music artist] Aaron Tippin, we learn the hard way that “you gotta stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything”—and “anything” can include indigo auras or the “vibration of a thought.” . . .

It turns out that when men and women shed their faith, they don’t necessarily get more liberal, but they do get more tribal and vicious. Many members of the alt-right, for example, famously shun Evangelical Christianity. Indeed, as we learn from the battle between [members of the hard left] and their right-wing counterparts—the emerging class of godless, angry populists—when you remove from your moral code any obligation to love your enemies, politics hardly improves. The damage extends far beyond politics, of course.

If there’s one abiding consequence of the shallow theologies and simple superstitions of our time, it’s the inability to endure or make sense of adversity. It’s a phenomenon that fractures families, fosters a sense of rage and injustice, and ultimately results in millions of Americans treating problems of the soul with mountains of pharmaceuticals. Human beings are hard-wired to search for meaning and purpose. As we conduct that search, will our nation and culture continue to value and to respect the [sort of] faith that grants hope of redemption, patience through present suffering, and a means to discern between good and evil? Or will it continue to shun [tradition] in favor of a grab-bag of ghosts, UFOs, and wishful thoughts?

On Tuesday, a Hizballah drone attack injured three people in northern Israel. The next day, another attack, targeting an IDF base, injured eighteen people, six of them seriously, in Arab al-Amshe, also in the north. This second attack involved the simultaneous use of drones carrying explosives and guided antitank missiles. In both cases, the defensive systems that performed so successfully last weekend failed to stop the drones and missiles. Ron Ben-Yishai has a straightforward explanation as to why: the Lebanon-backed terrorist group is getting better at evading Israel defenses. He explains the three basis systems used to pilot these unmanned aircraft, and their practical effects:

These systems allow drones to act similarly to fighter jets, using “dead zones”—areas not visible to radar or other optical detection—to approach targets. They fly low initially, then ascend just before crashing and detonating on the target. The terrain of southern Lebanon is particularly conducive to such attacks.

But this requires skills that the terror group has honed over months of fighting against Israel. The latest attacks involved a large drone capable of carrying over 50 kg (110 lbs.) of explosives. The terrorists have likely analyzed Israel’s alert and interception systems, recognizing that shooting down their drones requires early detection to allow sufficient time for launching interceptors.

The IDF tries to detect any incoming drones on its radar, as it had done prior to the war. Despite Hizballah’s learning curve, the IDF’s technological edge offers an advantage. However, the military must recognize that any measure it takes is quickly observed and analyzed, and even the most effective defenses can be incomplete. The terrain near the Lebanon-Israel border continues to pose a challenge, necessitating technological solutions and significant financial investment.