The Hezbollah: A Historical and Ideological Examination

In contemporary American foreign policy, the Hezbollah has, and remains, one of our nation's greatest threats. The terrorist organization, which initially spawned in Lebanon, has targeted the United States and her allies such as Israel for many years, attempting to thwart Western ideals and political goals. This paper will analyze the growth and interest of the Hezbollah, highlighting and defining the organization's key characteristics in the process. While it is important to not cast the Hezbollah as a mere clone of the more infamous Al-Qaeda, a deeper look at the history of the organization illustrates that the organization is still a serious threat.

Often underestimated as a terrorist organization because of the United States' pursuit to defeat Al-Qaeda following the September 11th attacks, Hezbollah forces remain one of, if not the greatest threats to American allies in the Middle East. Yet it is important to not group the Hezbollah and other Lebanese political leaders in the same category. As Kail C. Ellis suggests, “the history of the Hezbollah demonstrates how non-state actors have come to dominate the discourse of Arab nationalism, in the process deeply challenging the inter-state order” (Ellis, 2007, pp. 724). In short, Ellis illustrates that these “non-state” organizations, such as the Hezbollah, have been the catalyst for many of the problems in the Middle East, not necessarily the governments from which these groups assembled under. Ellis goes on to articulate the problems that come from viewing the Hezbollah and Lebanon in the same light, arguing that individuals who relate the two groups as symbiotic are sorely mistaken. In fact, the growth of the Hezbollah has only undermined the Lebanese government, “challenging the inter-state order” Ellis speaks of.

Another problem with the Hezbollah is the issue that occurs when deeming organizations as “terrorist groups.” Research in the region illustrates that the Hezbollah is one of the few terrorist organizations that pose a substantial threat on the Middle East and the prospect of global peace and development. Yet as Kail C. Ellis suggests, “the term 'terrorist' is a useful 'rhetorical bludgeon' that many states have wielded to outlaw and dehumanize radical and revolutionary groups” (Ellis, pp. 724). This is not the case with the Hezbollah. While their initial conception may have led politicians to consider them a “radical organization,” their contemporary actions have taken on far different meanings. While this illustration serves to imply that it is inappropriate to deem ideals, policies, or actions that differ from Western discourse as those in conjunction with “terrorism,” it is important to not characterize the Hezbollah as merely a “radical or revolutionary group,” but rather as a severely dangerous terrorist organization.

Under this definition, which will serve in conjunction with the remainder of this research paper, the Hezbollah can be characterized as one of the most dangerous organizations in the region. The Hezbollah has remained one of the United States' greatest threats in the Middle East, with military leaders suggesting that they have the capacity to severely cripple peace in the region (Byman, 2003, pp. 54). Although modern day conceptions of terrorist organizations typically focus on Al-Qaeda and, until recently, Osama bin Laden's leadership, it is important to note that “before September 11, 2001, [the Hezbollah] was responsible for more American deaths than any other organization,” committing heinous acts of murder in countries as far away as Argentina (Byman, pp. 54). Thus, in many ways, the Hezbollah has continued to expand, even as a heavily populated terrorist organization, because of the threat Al-Qaeda posed to the United States, and the American military's prioritization of such a threat. Furthermore, while the group may be unknown to many American citizens, leading analysts of the Hezbollah illustrate that “given the organization's record of bloodshed and hostility, the question is not whether Hezbollah should be stopped; it is how” (Byman, pp. 55). Indeed, because this group has had a clear history of terrorist attacks and involvement, they should be regarded as a serious threat.

The Hezbollah has, in many ways, come to help define the term of contemporary terrorism. It was they who “pioneered the use of suicide bombing, and [had a great] record of attacks on the United States and its allies” even as early as 1983 (Byman, pp. 57). Yet the organization, which began as a backlash to the Israeli entrance into Lebanese territory in the early 1980's, did not necessarily take the shape of modern conceptions of Eastern terrorism (Ellis 726). In fact, Hezbollah forces, at first in very small numbers, were concerned more about the threat of Western colonization than simply attacking Western ideals. It is this instance that the Hezbollah may be misunderstood; however, soon after politicizing its ideals, the organization took the shape of a far more violent group, seeking revenge for their perceived place in the region. Thus, contrary to popular belief, the Hezbollah has been a leading terrorist organization for a long period of time, creating some of the many problems we as Americans associate terrorism with today. This model of terrorism effectively allowed groups like Al-Qaeda and others to progress as fear-spreading organizations, and the remainder of this study will focus on the modern aspects of the Hezbollah and their effect on contemporary foreign policy.

The Lebanese-based organization has also posed some of the greatest threats on the State of Israel, which it borders, and has continued to pressure neighbor countries and allies of the United States. The Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been involved in serious battles and bloodshed, and while Israel has not decisively won the battle, they have succeeded, with American support, in keeping the Hezbollah out of their country. This issue has dated back several decades and has resulted in the deaths of many Lebanese and Israeli residents (Barnea, 2006, pp. 23). Ultimately, however, this prolonged conflict simply illustrates the ways in which the Hezbollah threatens peace in the region. In 2006, after Israeli forces attempted to exterminate Hezbollah leaders, President George W. Bush found it prudent to stress the issue, especially due to American concern over the Iranian nation, whose government, on several occasions, has come out in full financial and political support of the Hezbollah (Barnea, pp. 24). Thus, in relation to contemporary foreign policy, the Hezbollah has provided an outlet for many American forces to utilize and promote the need for strength in the region, as they have ties to many countries and similar terrorist organizations who threaten the United States and Israel.

As of recently, the Hezbollah has remained a primary threat to not only the American people, but the global community. As I previously stated, the organization pioneered the use of modern terrorism, and has gone at lengths to promote their ideals across the world. Hezbollah forces have managed to thwart any attempt at peace in the Middle East, particularly that surrounding Israel (Salem, 2006, pp. 13). This is not to say that American and Israeli forces may have also perpetuated the conflict in the region, but it is obvious that the Lebanese-based organization has propelled the terrorism crises in the region to new levels (Salem, 2006). In short, the impact the Hezbollah has had on the Middle East has been astounding; their forces have managed to both perpetuate the global development that is terrorism, as well as place a great deal of effort on the United States to continuously deal with the problems they pose.

The Hezbollah has and will continue to remain one of the greatest American homeland security threats. Despite not attaining as much media attention as groups like Al-Qaeda, they still have a profound influence within the Middle East in terms of peace and social order. In fact, labeling this group as just a terrorist organization does not do justice in terms of their scope; the Hezbollah have a wide variety of resources at their disposal and subsequently have the capacity to cause serious issues for any target government or nation. While many still consider terrorism as a modern context of warfare, it was this same group that pioneered many of the tactics that are used today as early as the 1980’s. The problems the organization poses on Israel and other allies of the United States are profound, and a course of action may be necessary to diminish the power the terrorist group has in the region.

Bibliography

Byman, D. (Dec., 2003). “Should Hezbollah be Next?” Foreign Affairs, 82(6). Retrieved September 15, 2011, from the J-Stor database. <http://jstor.org/stable/20033756>.

Barnea, N. (Dec., 2006). “Israel vs. Hezbollah.” Foreign Policy, 157. Retrieved September 16, 2011, from the J-Stor database. <http://jstor.org/stable/25462101>.

Salem, P. (Dec., 2006). “The Future of Lebanon.” Foreign Affairs, 85(6). Retrieved September 15, 2011, from the J-Stor database. <http://jstor.org/stable/20032139>.

Ellis, K. C. (Autumn, 2007). “Review of Hezbollah: A Short History.” Middle East Journal, 61(4). Retrieved September 15, 2011, from the J-Stor database. <http://jstor.org/stable/4330460>.