Hezbollah

Although it overlaps with Sageman’s arguments, Wiktorowicz’s approach to radicalization is relatively more complex; among other things, he introduces the ‘cognitive opening’ theory, a crisis “that shakes certainty in previously accepted beliefs and renders an individual more receptive to the possibility of alternative views and perspectives.” The crisis can instigate a cognitive opening. This can take a variety of forms, depending on the individual, but when related to Islamic movements, the…

The Party of God, Hezbollah justifies its armed organization by claiming its goal is to "LIBERATE OR RECOVER OCCUPIED LANDS OF PALESTINE". Levitt (2013) states that Hezbollah a Shia group, does not recognize the legitimacy of the State of Israel, and it has been labeled as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by the US State Department. Its headquarters is in Lebanon, which is home to a vast majority of displaced Palestinians Hezbollah began its anti Western militancy with attacks against…

Brief History of Hezbollah & Motives From reference of the members of Hezbollah date, the formation of the group was founded in 1982. Even though, from the academic and professional would not actually consider to be an official thing until the mid-1980s. Additionally complicating the issues in the Middle East is the perception of Hezbollah. In one case from the western countries view point, it is viewed and listed as a terrorist organization, while counties like Syria view them to be valuable…

Department of State (DoS) recognizes some 59 terrorist organizations with foreign origins. Of those, Hezbollah potentially poses the most danger to the U.S., and is capable of executing terrorist attacks, and criminal activities within our borders. Hezbollah has been an active threat against Western nations with a presence in the Middle-East, Israel, and to the U.S. for over 30 years. Hezbollah has extended its influence and operations around the world, and have setup extensive networks…

The threat that Al Qods and Hezbollah present not only to Israel but do they present a threat to the rest of the world? They are the epitome of a Hybrid Threat to the Middle East and United States interests. Are they the same? Do they have common goals? What exactly are they? The Al Qods are special operations branch to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRG), considered a state actor, I would consider them very similar to our Special Operations branch. They are highly trained,…

However, trusting solely on a state sponsorship is not a smart move. Iranian support decreased due to the fights between Amal and Hezbollah; the bloodshed between the groups was no longer tolerated. Also, Iranian policies took a relatively more moderate turn after the death of Ayatollah Khomeini. In light of the end of the cold war, Iran had to adjust to a world in which US had no rival. Sponsor states can offer military aid, supplies and training, as well as nonmaterial support such as…

34-day conflict between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Hezbollah is Shi’a Islamist militant group and political party. Even though this began July 12 the context of the dispute went back 24 years back during the 1982 Lebanon War (The First Lebanon War). Between 2000 to 2006 Hezbollah made attacks on northern Israel, which killed many civilians and military personnel. On July 12, 2006, Hezbollah made the attack on the town of northern Israel Shlomi “Hezbollah unleashed a carefully…

The United States is experiencing an increase in Transnational Organized Crime (TOC), particularly from the Salvadoran gang Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13. President Trump identified this organization as a direct threat the U.S. national security during his campaign for office. President Trump reiterated this in the State of Union address in January 2018. Mara Salvatrucha’s rapid growth and transnational connections create a violent threat to the Nation Security of the United States. This essay…

Lebanon is a Middle Eastern country about a third of the size of Maryland. To the west is the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon shares land borders with Israel to the south for 81 km and the rest stretching for 403 km with Syria. The Bekaa Valley separates Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains that forms most of the border between Lebanon and Syria (Central Intelligence Agency, 2016). Lebanon is a diverse country with competing interests and ideologies. Christians make up 40.5% of the population…

Hamas — Islamic Resistance Movement Hama is a Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist organization of Palestinian nationality. The group was founded in 1987, and it’s original goal was to liberate Palestine from Israeli occupation and to establish an Islamic state in the occupied Israeli territory of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Hamas’s headquarter is located in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. The group formed as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas is known for being the first…