Political Integration of Hezbollah into Lebanese Politics
Abstract
Hezbollah has proven itself to be a resilient, relevant military and political force within Lebanon as well as across the Middle East. This thesis focuses on the approach through which Hezbollah -- as a military, political, and social organization -- integrates itself into Lebanese society and polity. The thesis examines how this Islamic organization, which was perceived as a "terrorist-group" in the mid-1980s, continues to transform itself. Hezbollah is now perceived as a legitimate political actor participating in Lebanese government. But political integration is problematic for Hezbollah. Now it must balance its need to be a legitimate actor within Lebanon's political system with its original militant objectives of liberating Lebanon and other territories under Israeli control, and in protecting the country from Israeli incursions. The first objective requires Hezbollah to be sensitive to the needs of Lebanon and its many political factions and internal interests. The second objective requires Hezbollah to maintain its radical stance toward a neighboring state, maintain a large armed militia, and form alliances with external actors such as Syria and Iran independent of the policies of the Lebanese government. How can Hezbollah balance these interests? This thesis explores how Hezbollah reconciles these seemingly contradictory objectives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA501151
Entities
People
- Thomas G. Esposito
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School