Hezbollah

Definition

Hezbollah is a Shiite Islamist militant group and political party based in Lebanon, founded in the early 1980s during the Lebanese Civil War. It emerged as a response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and has since become a significant player in Lebanese politics, gaining support through social services and military resistance against perceived threats, particularly from Israel. Its influence can be seen in various contexts, including political Islam's growth, counterterrorism efforts, and sectarian conflicts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hezbollah was founded in 1982 with the support of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to resist Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon.
2. The group has a significant military capability and is considered a formidable force in Lebanon, often acting independently of the Lebanese government.
3. Hezbollah provides extensive social services, such as healthcare and education, which help it gain popularity and support among the Shiite population.
4. It has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States and Israel, due to its militant activities and attacks against Israeli targets.
5. Hezbollah's involvement in the Syrian Civil War on the side of the Assad regime further solidified its role as a regional actor and deepened sectarian tensions within Lebanon.

Review Questions

• How did Hezbollah’s formation contribute to the spread of political Islam in Lebanon and the broader Arab world?
  • Hezbollah's formation during the early 1980s was a direct response to foreign intervention in Lebanon, particularly by Israel. Its ideology emphasizes resistance against perceived oppressors and promotes Islamic governance, aligning with political Islam's goals. As Hezbollah gained military strength and political influence, it inspired similar movements across the Arab world that sought to merge religious ideology with national resistance, thus significantly contributing to the broader spread of political Islam.
• What are some key strategies used by Hezbollah to counter terrorism efforts aimed at it while maintaining its influence in Lebanese politics?
  • Hezbollah employs a multi-faceted approach to counter terrorism efforts against it. It uses asymmetric warfare tactics to defend itself from military actions by Israel and other adversaries while portraying itself as a legitimate resistance movement. Additionally, Hezbollah leverages its social service network to build grassroots support within Lebanon, making it politically resilient. By framing its military actions as part of a larger struggle for justice and sovereignty, Hezbollah effectively counters negative perceptions that categorize it strictly as a terrorist organization.
• Evaluate how Hezbollah’s actions have exacerbated sectarian conflicts within Lebanon and impacted regional stability.
  • Hezbollah's involvement in both domestic and regional conflicts has significantly deepened sectarian divisions within Lebanon. By positioning itself as a protector of Shiite interests against Sunni adversaries and external threats like Israel, it has intensified sectarian tensions. Its military engagement in the Syrian Civil War alongside the Assad regime further polarized Lebanese society along sectarian lines. This escalation not only destabilizes Lebanon but also affects regional stability by entrenching rivalries between Sunni-majority states and Shiite groups, leading to a more volatile geopolitical landscape.

Related terms

Political Islam: A political ideology that seeks to implement Islamic principles in governance and public life, often advocating for the integration of religion into state policies.

Shiite Islam: The second-largest branch of Islam, which believes that Muhammad's rightful successors are his descendants, particularly Ali, and emphasizes the importance of the Imams.

Israel-Lebanon Conflict: A series of military confrontations between Israel and various Lebanese groups, including Hezbollah, rooted in territorial disputes and broader regional tensions.