Hezbollah: The Party of God In order to understand the modus operandi of terrorism, the best insight we can gain

is by profiling a terrorist organization. In October of 1997, The U.S. State Department classified the group known as Hezbollah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. In order to effectively counteract terrorist capabilities, it is imperative to understand the organizations motivations, recruitment procedures, and tactics. Terrorist organizations have several different areas which may drive their cause, and this profile of Hezbollah organization shows just one organization terrorizing in the name of religion. Hezbollah was founded in Lebanon in 1982 in response to perceived aggression from Israel against Lebanon with the assistance of 1500 Iranian Revolutionary Guards.12Hezbollah organization is notable because of its use of violence in advancing its agenda of ideological expansion. Hezbollahs leadership has evolved since its inception. Hassan Nasrallah is the current Secretary General and as such is Hezbollah's senior political leader. Notable leader Imad Mugniyah was the former leader of terrorist operations3 until he was assassinated in a car bombing in Damascus, Syria in 2008.4 Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah was the former senior spiritual leader of Hezbollah until his death in July 20105, and has yet to be replaced.

Hizballah (Party of God) http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/hizballah.htm, April 3, 2011 Abbas, T. Hezbollah's Naim Qasim Talks to Asharq Al-Awsat Asharq Alawsat Newspaper (English); http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=20652, April 3, 2011 3 For over twenty years, Imad Fayez Mugniyah was considered the key planner of Hezbollah's worldwide terrorist operations. Experts say Mugniyah trained with al Fatah during the Lebanese civil war in the 1970s. When the Palestine Liberation Organization and al-Fatah were expelled from Lebanon by Israeli forces in 1982, Mugniyah joined the newly formed Hezbollah and quickly rose to a senior position in the organization. On February 13, 2008, Mugniyah was killed in a car bombing in Damascus. Hezbollah officials accused Israel of launching the attacks that killed him, but the Israeli government has denied involvement. 4 Simon, S. (n.d.). Profile: Imad Mugniyah. Council on Foreign Relations http://www.cfr.org/publication/11317/profile.html 5 Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah was considered the group's spiritual leader. He died of a liver hemorrhage (NYT) on July 4, 2010, at the age of 75. His replacement will help provide more insight into the extent of Iran's clout in Lebanon (Bloomberg). There is a possibility that a more extremist Iranian brand of Islamic ideology will replace Fadlallah's relatively moderate (CSMonitor), and some might say liberal, views. Fadlallah had not tried to emulate Iran's ruling clerics; rather, he had even criticized (Telegraph) them and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for their
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Understanding Hezbollahs leadership is paramount when trying to determine the most effective measures to counteract Hezbollah terrorist actions, in order to fully understand what historical actions were derived from which leader. The death of Sheikh Fadlallah, and the search for his replacement could symbolize the direction in which Hezbollah will go in the future, and help determine the current levels of Iranian involvement in Hezbollah senior leadership. Hezbollahs official doctrine is that of a resistance and Lebanese defense movement6; however this fails to adequately describe Hezbollah, even according to its own standards. In the article Hezbollah: A State within a State, Hussain Abdul-Hussain states First, in its own words, it (Hezbollah) is a resistance movement. Second, it is also an Islamist political movement that engages in rounds of political bickering with rival nonShiite parties within Lebanon. And third, it is a revolutionary movement formed around a special Shiite school of thought that seeks to establish an Islamic state based on the radical ideology of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Wilayat al-Faqih or rule of the jurist.7 All of this essentially means that Hezbollahs official doctrine is that there should be endless jihad until all submit to Allah, with an emphasis on the eradication of Israel and the West, and that Hezbollah should be the controlling party in Lebanon, in addition to its current position as a revolutionary non-state defense organization. This doctrine gives a clear understanding that the motivations for the Hezbollah organization mirror closely that of other religiously motivated terrorist groups. With the understanding of Hezbollahs terrorist objectives, it is important to determine the capability Hezbollahs force to carry out its mission. Hezbollah membership numbers are
excessive amounts of power. Source: Ching, J., & Toiba, M. Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu'llah). Council on Foreign Relations. 6 Abbas, T. Hezbollah's Naim Qasim Talks to Asharq Al-Awsat Asharq Alawsat Newspaper (English); http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=20652, April 3, 2011 7 Abdul-Hussain, H. Hezbollah: The State within a State Current Trends in Islamist Ideology. Current Trends in Islamist Ideology http://www.currenttrends.org/research/detail/hezbollahs-agenda-in-lebanon

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unknown but are estimated to be between 20,000 members8 and 25,000 militant members.9 Support is not limited to militant members, as other members support the organization through financial and political support. Additionally, there are support staff and sympathizers which, although unknown in definitive numbers, serve as additional membership support to the organization. Hezbollah operates mainly in Lebanon, specifically in Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley areas.10 Hezbollah cells operate throughout the Middle East, Europe, Africa, South America, North America, and Asia.11 Hezbollah operates much like a state within a state in Lebanon, and recruits women and children separately from men, but in generally will accept anyone into membership which agrees with Hezbollahs belief system, although Hezbollah generally looks to more educated members to carry out terrorist attacks. In order to understand Hezbollah as a terrorist threat, it is important to understand Hezbollahs strategic, operational, and tactical objectives. Hezbollah is an Islamic group with strategic objectives that take root from Political Islam which means that Hezbollahs doctrine is that of the three parts of Islamic political and military war fighting doctrine; holy texts (Koran12, Hadiths13, and Sharia14), the people, and the clerics (especially Ayatollah Khomeini who has

8 Hezbollah membership is unclear, though one Turkish security official claimed they had seized documents suggesting around 20,000 members. Source: Kushner, H. W. (2003). Encyclopedia of terrorism (p. 369). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 9 Q&A with Barbara Newman on Hezbollah on National Review Online. (n.d.). National Review Calls Home National Review Online http://old.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/newman200503110751.asp 10 Its base is in Lebanon's Shiite-dominated areas, including parts of Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. In addition, U.S. intelligence reports say that Hezbollah cells operate in Europe, Africa, South America, and North America. Source: Ching, J., & Toiba, M. Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu'llah). Council on Foreign Relations. 11 In June 2002, Singapore accused Hezbollah of recruiting Singaporeans in a failed 1990s plot to attack U.S. and Israeli ships in the Singapore Straits. Source: Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu'llah) - washingtonpost.com. (n.d.). Washington Post - Politics, National, World & D.C. Area News and Headlines - washingtonpost.com. 12 The Koran verse that states a doctrine towards a strategic end state is Surah 8-39: And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism, i.e. - worshiping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole world] But if they cease (worshiping others besides Allah), then certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what they do. 13 From the Hadith, recorded by Sahih Al-Bukhari. Mohammed is quoted as saying: I am commanded by Allah to go and fight all the people of the world until they confess there is no god but Allah, and I am his messenger, and to pray five times a day and to give alms. And if they do that, their blood will be spared from me. Source: Mark A.

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provided assistance to Hezbollah Organization directly.1516) The main operational objective is the organization of resources to turn the strategic goal of advancing the ideology of political Islam into tactical steps which can then be conducted at the tactical level. To do this, Hezbollah has a defined organizational structure with a military and security sector and a political and administrative sector which is further broken down into executive, jihad, political, and judicial sectors.17 Hezbollahs tactical objectives include use of suicide bombings, kidnappings, and terror attacks, most commonly on Israeli targets but also on other Western targets,18 to advance their strategic agenda.19

Gabriel, Islam and Terrorism: What the Quaran Really Teaches About Christianity, Violence, and the Goals of Islamic Jihad, (Charisma House, Lake Mary, FL, 2002) P.79 14 Ahmad ibn Naqid al-Misri, Reliance of the Traveller: A Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law 15 Khomeini is our chief, and Hezbollah is our Army! is the official war cry of Hezbollah Source: Charles P. Wallace, Khomeini is our chief, and Hezbollah is our Army! LA Times Online http://articles.latimes.com/1985-0318/news/mn-22367_1 16 Shia interpretation from Ayatollah Khomeini states: Islam makes it incumbent on all adult males, provided they are not disabled or incapacitated, to prepare themselves for the conquest of (other countries) so that the writ of Islam is obeyed in every country in the world, But those who study Islamic Holy War will understand why Islam wants to conquer the whole world. Those who know nothing of Islam pretend that Islam counsels against war. Those (who say this) are witless. Islam says: Kill all the unbelievers just as they would kill you all! Does this mean that Muslims should sit back until they are devoured by (the unbelievers)? Islam says: Kill them (the non-Muslims), put them to the sword and scatter (their armies). Does this mean sitting back until (non-Muslims) overcome us? Islam says kill in the service of Allah those who may want to kill you! Does this mean that we should surrender (to the enemy)? Islam says: Whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword and in the shadow of the sword! People cannot be made to be obedient except by the sword. The sword is the key to Paradise, which can be opened only for the Holy Warriors! There are hundreds of other (Quaranic) psalms and Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet) urging Muslims to value war and to fight. Does all this mean that Islam is a religion that prevents men from waging war? I spit upon those foolish souls who make such a claim. Source: Amir Taheri, Holy Terror: Inside the World of Islamic Terrorism (Adler & Adler: 1987). 241-243. 17 Hoover, D. (n.d.). A Center of Gravity Analysis on Hezbollah. The Asymmetric Warfare Blog | Counter Insurgency (COIN) | Complex Operations | Intelligence | Irregular Warfare http://www.asymmetricwarfare.us/?p=106 18 Hezbollah pioneered the use of "human bombs" against Israeli and Western targets. The group was also responsible for a spate of kidnappings of Western citizens throughout the 1980s. The group has been connected with two attacks on Israeli targets in South America in 1992 and 1994. At present, Hezbollah's objectives are limited to striking at the Israeli presence in the Golan Heights, securing the release of sympathizers held by Israel, and cultivating its political position in Lebanon. Hezbollah maintains cells in North America and Europe, and receives financial aid, as well as weapons and training, from both Syria and Iran. According to the Department of States, the group boasts several thousand supporters and several hundred militant operatives. Source: Donovan, M. (n.d.). Terrorism - In the Spotlight: Hezbollah (Party of God). CDI - Center for Defense Information - Security Policy Research Organization. http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/hezbollah.cfm. 19 In 1991, the Hezbollah was responsible for 52 attacks, as compared to 19 attacks the organization carried out in 1990. In 1992, the Hezbollah launched 63 attacks and in 1993, 158 attacks, when during the course of 'Operation Accountability' they fired hundreds of Katyusha rockets into the Security Zone and Israeli territory. In 1994 a total

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The only way to effectively defeat the terrorist agenda of any terrorist organization is to remove the doctrinal tie of the organization to its motivational cause, which in the case of Hezbollah, is political Islam. In order to effectively counteract terrorist capabilities, it is imperative to understand the organizations motivations, recruitment procedures, and tactics. It is important to note that different terrorist organizations, driven by different causes, will have different similarities amongst them. Generally speaking, Hezbollah is fairly indicative of terrorist organizations which root themselves in religion, having both an incredibly open justification based on religious texts and the ability to recruit easily and in large numbers based on religious affiliation. Groups that are driven by different causes, such as terrorist groups in search of political reform, will generally conduct business with that end goal in mind, sharing similarities with other groups within their cause.

of 187 attacks against Israeli troops and positions by Hezbollah were recorded. There were 119 instances of artillery fire, 31 detonations of explosive charges and two frontal assaults on IDF positions. In 1995 a total of 344 attacks against Israeli troops and positions by were recorded. There were 270 instances of artillery fire, 64 detonations of explosive charges and 2 frontal assaults on IDF positions .Hezbollah did not confine the slaughter to Israel and Lebanon. The bloodshed included multiple bombings in Argentina of Israeli and Jewish community facilities, one in Buenos Aires, March 1992 that killed 29 and another in July 1994 that killed 96. [At the time this last event was one of the worst terrorist attacks ever in the Western hemisphere.] Hezbollah is also credited with blowing up a Panamanian airplane in flight. Source: Hezbollah and its Goals. (n.d.). Welcome to Palestine Facts. http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_1991to_now_hezbollah.php

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Bibliography Abbas, T. (n.d.). Hezbollah's Naim Qasim Talks to Asharq Al-Awsat Asharq Alawsat Newspaper (English). . Retrieved April 3, 2011,

from http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=20652

Abdul-Hussain, H. (n.d.). Hezbollah: The State within a State Current Trends in Islamist Ideology. Current Trends in Islamist Ideology. Retrieved April 3, 2011 from http://www.currenttrends.org/research/detail/hezbollah-the-state-within-a-state

Badran, T. (n.d.). Hezbollah's Agenda in Lebanon Current Trends in Islamist Ideology. Current Trends in Islamist Ideology. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.currenttrends.org/research/detail/hezbollahs-agenda-in-lebanon

Ching, J., & Toiba, M. (n.d.). Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu'llah). Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.cfr.org/publication/9155/hezbollah_aka_hizbollah_hizbullah.html

Davis, Gregory M. "Islam 101." Jihad Watch. Web. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from <http://www.jihadwatch.org/islam-101.html>.

Donovan, M. (n.d.). Terrorism - In the Spotlight: Hezbollah (Party of God). CDI - Center for Defense Information - Security Policy Research Organization. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/hezbollah.cfm

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Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu'llah) - washingtonpost.com. (n.d.). Washington Post - Politics, National, World & D.C. Area News and Headlines - washingtonpost.com. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2008/05/08/AR2008050801924.html

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Hoover, D. (n.d.). A Center of Gravity Analysis on Hezbollah. The Asymmetric Warfare Blog | Counter Insurgency (COIN) | Complex Operations | Intelligence | Irregular Warfare. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.asymmetricwarfare.us/?p=106

Imm, J. (n.d.). Dow Jones, Wall Street Journal, and Islamist Financing. Family Security Matters Archive. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.fsmarchives.org/article.php?id=1385377

Jain, A. (n.d.). It's not the right time to engage Hezbollah. Post-Gazette.com. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10201/1073833-109.stm

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Levitt, M. (n.d.). Article or Op-Ed. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC06.php?CID=772

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Simon, S. (n.d.). Profile: Imad Mugniyah. Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.cfr.org/publication/11317/profile.html