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At Large
The Hezbollah Connection
Imperial Iran’s key players.
The growth of Lebanon’s Hezbollah (Party of God) has gained considerable impetus through its patron Iran’s own desire to dominate strategically the entire Middle East region. Hezbollah fits in neatly with Tehran’s effort to reinstate the Persian preeminence in the ancient world reaching back centuries.
Ironically this is the same vision held by the late Shah Reza Pahlevi. His imperial objective was clear and for that reason feared by the kingdoms of the Gulf. With more than a little American encouragement, the deeply egocentric Shah more than once indicated he viewed himself as directly descended from the ancient kings of Persia.
Today’s Shia clerical leadership sees the organization of Hezbollah as an international mechanism that acts in accordance with Iran’s broader ambitions even while evolving as the dominating political force in its home country of Lebanon. The arrival in 1982 of one to two thousand Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) volunteers from Iran provided the cadre around whom Hezbollah’s military capability would be built during the Lebanese civil war. The Iranian veterans of this expedition became the core of the elite special operations unit, Quds Force.
The previous Shia militia element, Amal, was first marginalized then subsumed by the formal establishment of Hezbollah in 1985. Along with the military assistance of the IRGC came the political sophistication of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MIS), and Hezbollah was on its way to becoming an international instrument of Iranian ambitions. This fraternal relationship has matured over the years into a potent paramilitary force with a broad international outreach.
It is at this point that the strictly Lebanese Shia phenomenon begins to become more diffuse. Shia Islam as a faith is quite willing to work in areas of mutual interest with its Sunni brethren, among others. Iran’s support of Hamas is a strong example. The Shia, with their ever-expedient political consciousness, will work with and even co-opt other religious and secular instruments. The result of this “cooperation-where-convenient” is the ability to substantially broaden foreign access.
In consequence of Iranian intelligence assistance and the traditional inclination of the Shia to work with a broad spectrum of the spiritual and secular world, a large eclectic net of Hezbollah-friendly alliances has grown around the world. The Lebanese Hezbollah nets have become useful cutout and cover instruments of Iranian covert operations with political, military and economic objectives. Naturally Hezbollah’s own proprietary interests are also served. What is fascinating and potentially dangerous is the character of the activities that support this international operation.
For many decades poor Lebanese Shia families financed a chosen member to go abroad and start up or work in local small business. All manner of retail activities have been involved. Hundreds of these mostly small, but sometimes sizeable, businesses in out of the way places often provided the only general merchandise and banking outlets available in the developing world communities. Of the money that was made a portion always was sent home. Greeks, Syrians, Pakistanis and Indians did the same thing. But the Lebanese were always quick to work their way into the fabric of local politics. The Shia, as Shia are, were the most committed in that regard.
As a result there exists a ready-made structure of economic and political support in what is a carefully cultivated Lebanese Shia diaspora. It was among these far flung Lebanese Shia brethren that the Hezbollah foreign operations began. And it was through these members of the Party of God that Iranian intelligence operations spread its own net. It is financially remunerative for the local Lebanese traders and operationally invaluable for Hezbollah and its Persian big brothers.
Reports have swirled about this summer of Hezbollah involvement in international narcotics trafficking. A story appeared of a certain Ali Jamil Nasser who supposedly was caught in Tijuana, Mexico, organizing a Hezbollah-guided network of border crossers. The source of the information turned out to be an Arabic newspaper in Kuwait, al-Seyassah, and a follow-up piece in the Israeli publication, Haaretz. It was a fast moving story until Fox News and Arizona Republic fact checkers, with the aid of the office of the Mexican Attorney General, proved the entire story to have been fabricated. It would appear that someone thought the best defense would be a good offense!
The real danger of Hezbollah operating abroad is the potential of its involvement in terrorism — as opposed to gathering economic and political information and influence. High profile terror attacks might have a powerful impact among the mass of supporters back home, but such deadly operations that could be attributed to Lebanese Shia would be politically counterproductive.
Avoiding classic terrorist tactics abroad, but using financial and political leverage to gain useful tactical objectives, appears the most efficacious use of Hezbollah assets outside the Middle East. Unfortunately, logic does not always rule decision-making among jihadi. No matter how they pursue the future, Hezbollah has grown not only into a powerful force in itself but also a conduit for even more destructive Iranian ambitions of Persian imperial revival.
About the Author
George H. Wittman writes a weekly column on international affairs for The American Spectator online. He was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy.
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Ken (Old Texican)| 8.27.10 @ 7:46AM
Uh George,
How many rockets does Hezbollah have now pointed at Israel?
If Iran can deploy a nuke or two, they would want to "air-burst" them over Israel to minimize radioactive fallout over the Umah, I think.
That means either a missile or an aircraft.
Remember though, Iran still does consider the US the "Great Satan". Israel is merely a stepping stone in their strategeries".
I guess what I am trying to get across to you is that the tone of your article was a little too ..........chatty.
I consider Iran/Hezbollah a clear and present danger ...to us.
Alan Brooks| 8.27.10 @ 3:50PM
Isn't there some way Ahmadinejad can die in an "accident"? Maybe have him slip on a banana peel place at the top of a steep series of steps, while on a foreign tour?
The Agency gets paid well for doing things,
right?: here is something that has to be done-- soon, like. The clock is ticking; the problem wont go bye-bye, Ahmadinejad is fairly young, in good health; if he can't die by natural causes soon, he ought to die of unnatural causes-- with a little help from the Agency.
Alan Brooks| 8.27.10 @ 3:53PM
Apologies for another double-post, but to hell with the 1975 law-- this is life and death...
America's life, Ahmadinejad's death.
Patrick| 8.29.10 @ 10:11PM
Yes, then he's a "martyr" for the cause. Don't think there aren't thousands willing, able, and cleric approved to replace him.
No, we had our chance a year and a half ago with the uprising. Only a little support, not even requiring the death of a single American soldier, and the mullahs (who have the real power) would have been thrown down. Too late now.
Robert | 8.28.10 @ 10:56AM
Isrsel is the real danger, Iran doesn't use nazi style tactics against Palestinians, Iran doesn't occupy or pour raw sewerage onto occupied land like Israel does. Face it, you're just another far right Israel apologist who sees nothing wrong with Israel's nazi polices but everything wrong with everyone else.
Alan Brooks| 8.29.10 @ 1:14AM
Well, Robert, perhaps the 1975 law ceasing the assassination of foreign leaders was repealed after 9-11.
In that case Ahmadinejad can be with his 72 Virgins sooner than he thinks. Ahmadinejad wont live past the year 2025-- probably not to 2020.
His days are numbered.
Ten years ago Saddam felt reasonably safe. By 2008, only eight years later, the winged chariot came for him.
RCV| 8.27.10 @ 12:55PM
As do I, Ken. The Iran/Hezbollah/Hamas alliance is the greatest present threat to world stability and peace; in my view, more threatening than Al Qaeda.
Ken (Old Texican)| 8.27.10 @ 4:47PM
RCV,
Hmmm, then it truly doesn't matter WHO in this administration answers the phone at 3 in the morning.
Heh, remember the primaries?
Whether Hildebeast or Obama..."please don't hurt us...we can deliver America intact for your plans."
"The Nays of Texas"
Coming to a portal near you for only $10.
RCV| 8.27.10 @ 7:25PM
I'm waiting anxiously to buy it!
It does indeed matter who answers that phone. I was not sanquine about John McCain picking it up on a bad day. I'll stick with my President, thank you.
Be well.
Tim*| 8.27.10 @ 8:19PM
Apparently , that would be the cell phone in Obama's Golf Bag .
FORE !
Alan Brooks| 8.27.10 @ 3:37PM
Isn't there some way Ahmadinejad on a foreign trip could be taken out like Heydrich was in Czechoslovakia?
Plus not more than a few of Mahmoud's generals on their vacations... give them all permanent vacations.
Alan Brooks| 8.27.10 @ 4:07PM
"Plus not more than a few of Mahmoud's generals on their vacations... give them all permanent vacations."
PS,
We don't want to destroy Iran, we want to decapitate its offensive capabilities.
RCV| 8.27.10 @ 7:27PM
just be sure Khamenei is there when it hits as well.
Alan Brooks| 8.27.10 @ 8:22PM
Now you're cooking with gas, RCV.
We'll invite them both to a picnic with a whole basket of plutonium laced baclava for dessert-- what a way to go!
Michele San Pietro| 8.27.10 @ 5:39PM
It's time to smash the Hezbollah once and for all.
RCV| 8.27.10 @ 7:23PM
Easier said than done, unfortunately. That was Israel's goal in the last Lebanese incursion, but it failed miserably and Hezbollah is now entrenched in the Lebanese government. It will remain so now that the Maronites have lost effective control of the country. Bashir Gemayel was the last hope for a pro-West, pro-Israel government in Lebanon. His assassination in September 1982 was a tragedy for Lebanon and for the whole region.
Alan Brooks| 8.27.10 @ 8:29PM
"What a bunch of crap. Every pro-isreal idiot in US call himself Expert now. what a freak show!"
The entire Mideast is a freak show. Ben, all we want to do is send Mahmoud to that great Persian rug shop in the sky.
Early retirement with full benefits.
Michele San Pietro| 8.29.10 @ 3:47PM
In my opinion, the Hezbollah can be defeated and erased from the face of the earth. The West, the free world, only needs a little bit more determination.
ben| 8.27.10 @ 8:00PM
What a bunch of crap. Every pro-isreal idiot in US call himself Expert now. what a freak show!
RCV| 8.27.10 @ 10:34PM
Help us out here, Ben, what was wrong in the comments on Lebanon?
Tim*| 8.28.10 @ 4:07PM
RCV LawBoy thinks he's Golda Meir 'cause he looks like her .
Alan Brooks| 8.28.10 @ 9:33PM
Tim,
At least the Jewish people won WWII. The Germans got their balls busted, bad--
real bad. He who laughs last, laughs best.
Tim*| 8.28.10 @ 11:49PM
The Allied Armies with Real Combat Warriors Won WWII .
Apparently , you didn't get the memo Sport .
Alan Brooks| 8.29.10 @ 1:19AM
Timmie, I meant 'won' in the sense of he who laughs last, laughs best. The Krauts thought they had it made in 1940, but less than five years later they were getting their balls busted like they never dreamed.
Quartermaster| 8.27.10 @ 8:46PM
Israel failed because they tried half measures, and didn't even properly supply the Army for the incursion. They could have done what they did in the early 80s. Sharon didn't fool around, and they drove the PLO from Lebanon. Last time they did fool around and got burned for their efforts.
The world's left is set against Israel, and Israel can do no right in their eyes. But, when the danger is existential, you can't afford to worry about outside opinion.
RCV| 8.27.10 @ 11:45PM
The PLO is the 80s was a sorry little stateless lot, and the Lebanese were happy to see them go. Hezbollah is well-entrenched in the Lebanese government and Iran's well- financed and well-equipped proxy. The underlying problem is Iran.
I agree that Israel ought not to concern itself too much with international opinion, but the choices it faces vis-a-vis Iran are all bad. Fortunately, it has the tacit support of the Saudis and the Egyptians in seeking to neutralize Iran. We shall see. The rest of this yearcwill be interesting as it unfolds.
Alan Brooks| 8.28.10 @ 9:38PM
Forget about Lebanon for now, go for the jugular: go for decapitating the regime in Iran.
If you damage the head of the snake, you damage the rest of the snake
Luke Ford| 8.28.10 @ 1:14AM
Iran doesn't need to support Hezbollah. Israelis get their asses kicked by Lebanese militia and they have a modern military.
http://www.wellnessstarts.com/.....eview.html
RCV| 8.28.10 @ 10:52PM
Hezbollah would collapse in a week without Iran's support.
YHWH| 8.28.10 @ 4:37PM
Remember, we learner terroism under the Haggadah, when we blew up the King david Hotel-Ben Gurion.
Israel playing Miss Innocent is a joke. They learned well from the Nazis, and practice them daily on the occupied Palestinian land.
That is why the WTC Mosque is so laughable. A bunch of Jews steal land from a whole nation, their brother Semitics, and the West stands by and lets the aparthied go on. Keep your hide apart from we special chosen ones, that is the Jew way.
RCV| 8.28.10 @ 10:54PM
The King David Hotel was at the time the headquarters of the British military command in Palestine.
YHWH| 8.28.10 @ 4:40PM
Please, no fun make of my Jewish speak, as i not learn English well.
Study Jewish history of their own terrorist, who Paul newman accuratelty told the story of, in movie good show Jewish bombing Britain and King David Hotel. Is good movie, please so watch!
Alan Brooks| 8.29.10 @ 1:26AM
Okay, but I yes fun make of your Arab speak, because you are a dumb camel-jockey.
Alan Brooks| 8.28.10 @ 9:41PM
In retrospect, Iran should have been invaded in 2003, with Iraq being invaded later. But hindsight is 20-20.
American Patriot| 11.29.10 @ 6:04PM
Iran and Syria must be made to pay directly for the actions of their terrorist dogs Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Qaeda and others. Every time an atrocity is committed by a state sponsored terrorist, the government of the sponsoring nation should be removed from power and placed on trial for crimes against humanity. The terrorist dogs should be exterminated along with all who support them.
Joanna | 6.6.11 @ 5:05AM
What an interesting article- I hope to read more like this, thanks!UTI Treatment