They have also provided a great deal of assistance when conflict has rendered regions without electricity or water (International Crisis Group, 2005). It was Hezbollah who provided not only medical supplies and food to Beirut during the 2006 conflict, but they also provided electricity and clean water for the people left without such vital resources. In a revolutionary move, Hezbollah even offers free medical care to every individual who pledges themselves to the organization. While it is clearly propaganda to further their cause, the access to free healthcare in a region plagued by poverty, starvation, and disease is truly radical and identifies Hezbollah as a militia genuinely concerned with the welfare of the people it is fighting to liberate (Fisk, 2001).
Hezbollah has a satellite radio station as well as a satellite television station. Somewhat sensationally dubbed the station of the resistance Hezbollah produces a great deal of news and educational content which is widely available and eagerly consumed (Picard, 1993). There has been concern though regarding the overall anti-Zionist message of a great deal of the programming. Some inflammatory reports even indicate that the programming is designed to encourage listeners to acts of suicide bombing against Israeli targets. Such an assertion though stands in direct opposition to the goals of the organization (Gronbech- Jensen, 1999). Though it is true that in the manifesto of their operations, Hezbollah leadership indicate that they will not be able to rest until their Zionest enemy has fallen, it is also true that Hezbollah is very much against the unnecessary death of civilians or the destruction of civilian targets (International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2000). It is likely though, that in the multitude of anti- Zionist propaganda which is put forth daily, there is a degree of anti-Semitic propaganda spread as well. It is important to note though that Hezbollah clearly states that its enemy is the state of Israel, not the civilian population or their beliefs (Greene, 1984).
Hezbollah currently exists as one of two primary political parties within Lebanon. As such it is necessary for continued political advancement for there to be significant infrastructure and socially reconstructive branches of the party. It has been remarked that Hezbollah presents itself as any other "government" would (International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2000). It is possessing of an armed branch as well as branches concerned with economy, social welfare, environment, and education. Hezbollah is even making strides in beginning to interact diplomatically with the world at large. Making the first genuine foray of any former revolutionary militia still regarded as a militia and not a formal government into the world of international politics (International Crisis Group, 2002).
The political protests of 2006 perhaps mark the most striking departure from Hezbollah of the 1980's and 1990's to the Hezbollah in power currently. Though joining the government officially in 2005, Hezbollah leaders opposed a number of perceived sectarian policies demanding a government which would be representative of the entire population (International Institute for Strategic Studies). When such an agreement could not be reached rather than resorting to violence as would have been their past position, senior ministers in the Hezbollah organization resigned their post and rallied hundreds of thousands of protesters to peacefully demonstrate against the incumbent government. The rallies lasting from 2006- 2008 mark the first step in the shift of Hezbollah from a terrorist organization to a political one. Though eventually in late 2008 fighting did erupt as a result of the government assertion that Hezbollah telecommunications were illegal and the removal of an airport security chief with ties to the organization. Even then, the violence was at a bare minimum leaving only eleven dead in small street skirmishes (Rubin, 2010). Hezbollah seized control of key neighborhoods in Beirut but promptly then handed control back to the Army in an effort to secure military sympathy. Their bid worked and the government not only revoked its suspension of Hezbollah broadcasting but agreed to the original political requirements of Hezbollah on the new government. Hezbollah was granted veto power and its opposition allies were all given seats in...
Hezbollah's History, Ideology, Goals And Operational Capabilities The recent wave of anti-American demonstrations in Egypt and the murder of an American ambassador and three embassy staff workers in Libya makes it clear that America's global war on terrorism has simply fueled the growth of numerous terrorist organizations, including Lebanon's Hezbollah. Nevertheless, representatives of Hezbollah argue that they are not a terrorist organization but rather a political party with legitimate goals, while
Hezbollah Augustus Richard Norton's book Hezbollah: A Short History attempts to provide a balanced and nuanced view of the Shiite Islamic organization. Concerned primarily with the issue of self-rule and self-determination within Lebanon -- at least at the time of its founding -- Hezbollah has come to be labeled as a terrorist organization by many world governments, and Norton critically examines this identification and the events and perspectives that have led
Hezbollah is a political organization involved in government affairs in Lebanon. Hezbollah may be militant and violent, but it is a far cry from Al Qaeda because it is part of the establishment in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Al Qaeda is very loosely organized and has splinter groups and radical cells in a number of places around the world. It is not known whether Al Qaeda or Hezbollah have access to WMD,
The basis of this ideology was set by the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It basically strives to promote freedom of the Lebanese from both Israeli occupation, as well as the threat of the Western "imperialism." The most relevant excerpt in the ideology of Hezbollah is presented below: The solution to Lebanon's problems is the establishment of an Islamic republic as only this type of regime can
"In the case of arms trafficking," they advise, "there are arms dealers eager to sell AK-47s to conflict zones all over the world. There are shipping and air transport services willing and able to transport the weapons to warlords who are destabilizing much of West Africa. The warlords trade diamonds for guns, and the arms brokers and transporters in turn launder the diamonds with brokers in Antwerp and deposit
Overall Threat Assessment Literally “the party of God,” Hezbollah has transformed itself from a marginalized radical “clandestine militia” to a “mainstream political party,” (Harik 1). Hezbollah has cells on all inhabited continents, with a particularly sinister presence in Latin America (Byman; Noriega and Cárdenas). Before September 11, Hezbollah was responsible for “more American deaths than any other terrorist organization,” (Byman 54). Its global reach and history of attacks are not the
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