Lebanon at a Crossroads: Hezbollah's Role and the Shadow of Iran
September 19, 2024, 11:20 am

Lebanon at a Crossroads: Hezbollah's Role and the Shadow of Iran

Michael Arizanti

To understand Hezbollah's power in Lebanon and their role in the region, one must delve into their origins and the significant influence of Iran. The history of the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, is complex, hosting Hezbollah, one of the world's most organized and armed non-state actors, known as the "Party of God." Hezbollah controls substantial portions of Lebanon and has recently been the target of sophisticated attacks.

Lebanon's history as a French colony, its independence, and its governance through a delicate balance of power among various ethnic and religious groups set the stage for Hezbollah's rise. The group emerged during the chaos of the Lebanese Civil War, following the Israeli invasion in 1982 aimed at ousting the PLO, which had relocated to Lebanon after being expelled from Jordan.

Hezbollah's inception was marked by the support from Iran, which, post its 1979 Islamic Revolution, sought to expand Shia influence in a predominantly Sunni region. Iran's backing has been pivotal, providing Hezbollah with military training, weapons, and financial support, transforming it into a formidable force within Lebanon and a significant player in regional politics.

The narrative often focuses on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the broader picture shows Iran's strategic use of proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis to challenge Israel and its allies, thereby extending its influence across the Middle East. This strategy has not only armed Hezbollah to the teeth, with an estimated arsenal capable of threatening Israel, but has also positioned Hezbollah as a central figure in any discussion about Middle Eastern stability.

Without Iran's support, Hezbollah's capacity would be greatly diminished, suggesting that much of the ongoing conflict and the lack of peace in the Middle East can be attributed to this dynamic. Iran's role through Hezbollah and other proxies has perpetuated a cycle of violence and retaliation, making peace an elusive goal. If Iran and its proxies were not in the equation, the dynamics might shift towards diplomacy and stability, as the region would likely face less external agitation and military escalation. However, this hypothetical scenario does not account for other regional tensions and internal issues that also contribute to the unrest. Nonetheless, removing Iran's influence would undoubtedly alter the power balance, paving the way for peace negotiations without the shadow of Iranian-backed terrorism provocations.

BY: Michael Arizanti

In collaboration with ICCROM Regional Centre and the University of Sharjah Survey Reveals Loss of Trust in Hamas and Calls for Authority Control in Gaza!

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.