Introduction
Hizballah is a militant group and a political party. It is also called the “Party of God” or Hezbollah. It was formed in 1985 by Sayyed Abbas Al-Musawi. The headquarters was this group found in Beirut, Lebanon. Hizballah was created after the Israel incursion of Lebanon. The invasion occurred in 1982. The idea of the creation of the group came from Lebanese clerics. The organization was one of the Iranian efforts. It was created through the dispatch and funding of a core Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps group. The organization aggregated a wide range of Lebanese Shi groups. The groups had to unite to oppose the Israeli occupation. The organization was to improve the status of the Shia community. This community was underrepresented and marginalized in the country. The Hizballah organization had many objectives. Setting the Shia community free from marginalization and appropriately representing the community in the government was one of the major objectives of this organization. In 1985, a Lebanese Civil war broke out. The organization listed its objective during the war as the expulsion of the French, Americans, and their partners from Lebanon. Achieving this objective would eliminate the colonialists in the land. During the civil war, the Hizballah organization also aimed at helping the Christian Phalangists to achieve just power. The organization would also enhance justice for crimes against Christians and Muslims. Everyone in the country was given the freedom to express their views on the kind of government they wanted to rule the country. They were called upon to choose the Islamic government, which would rule fairly and ensure justice in the country. Since its formation, the Hizballah organization has participated in different political issues.
Challenge/Response Cycle
A Hizballah cell was created between the 1990s and 2000s to operate in Singapore. Therefore, members of this cell entered Singapore through the use of a visa-waiver program. This program allows visitors from other countries to enter a new country without a visa. They are granted permission to enter the new country once they arrive. Hizballah members managed to enter Singapore through the use of a visa-waiver program. This was viewed as a security failure in Singapore. It was also viewed as a challenge directed to the honor of Singapore. A response that the United States offered was to suspend its visa-waiver program with Singapore. The suspension of the program meant that the citizens from Singapore had to obtain a visa to be allowed into the United States. In addition, the visa-waiver program between the United States and Singapore was suspended to ensure that Singapore improved its security measures.
In 1997, some individuals also challenged the honor of the United States by collecting intelligence on the embassy of the United States. Since the government of the United States felt challenged, it responded by attacking the leadership that was responsible for this action. The response from the United States was necessary to prevent future collection of intelligence on the embassy or any other diplomatic facility. In the 1990s, most of the Hizballah members were active in Singapore. Therefore, they were involved in different activities. They could recruit the local Sunnis, collect intelligence on United States ships and Israel, and plan different attacks. Most of these activities were viewed as an honor challenge to Singapore. This is because the activities suggest that the security of Singapore was comprised of foreign actors operating within the country’s borders. However, Singapore managed to prevent an attack that involved a suicide speedboat. This action showed Singapore’s competence in protecting its security and sovereignty.
Honor/Shame Paradigm
Hizballah being “in a time of transition” brings shame to them and honor to the U.S. government. The transition period means the Hizballah organization is experiencing various challenges and changes that could affect its operations. The process of change in the organization is influenced by factors such as external pressure and internal conflicts. These factors bring shame to the organization. However, the transition period ended to bring honor to the government of the United States. The honor is due to the effort of the United States government to limit the activities of the Hizballah organization. Hizballah’s close relationship with Iran and ideological opposition to the U.S. brings honor to them and shame to the U.S. government. This means that the close relationship between Iran and Hizballah created honor for the organization.
The close relationship is because of the support that Iran has been providing to the Hizballah organization. For instance, Iran has provided military and financial support to the organization. This has helped Hizballah to gain power in Lebanon and other regions. In turn, the organization has gained honor. However, the close relationship between Iran and the organization has led to shame in the United States. Since Iran has powered the organization, it has been involved indifferent against the targets of the United States. For instance, Hizballah was involved in the bombing of the United States embassy that occurred in 1983 at Beirut. In addition, it was also involved in the U.S. military barracks bombing in 1984. These actions showed that Hizballah challenged various powerful adversaries, gaining honor. However, the power of Hizballah was a source of frustration and shame to the United States. In addition, the confrontation of Hizballah with the United States brought shame to the organization. Overall, The honor makes Hizballah realize that it would take a big effort to confront the United States and make them notice that they would never be in a place to do so. The shame is that they have close relationships with terrorist organizations that have attacked the United States already. So, if they really wanted to carry out an attack, they would have help.
Patron/Client Relationships
Iran is a patron because they provide Hizballah with most of its funding, training, weapons, and explosives. This is a significant support to the Hizballah organization. There is a claim that the organization has acknowledged the military and financial support from Iran. Some reports also show that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has played a significant role in training and equipping the fighters from the Hizballah organization. It is estimated that Iran annually offers $700 to the Hizballah organization. It also provides advanced weapons such as anti-tank missiles to the organization. The explosive materials that have been used in different attacks by the organization have also been provided by Ian. Indeed, most of the power and abilities of Hizballah are from Iran. Iran has helped the Hizballah organization in most of its operations.
Clients are university students in Russia that Hizballah leaders recruit. In recent years, recruitment efforts have increased in the organization. The organization is seeking to expand its network in the country. Therefore, it has been targeting young, educated individuals to join the organization. The organization views Russia as one of the countries with a strategic position of advancement and of carrying out effective operations. Russia has a close tie with Iran. With the close relationship between Hizballah and Iran, establishing its presence in Russia can help the organization attain its goals and recruit more clients, mostly university students. The Shia population has also been a client of the Hizballah organization. They are considered clients in terms of economic opportunities and political representation. This means that the population relies on Hizballah to secure the interests and needs of the country. Since the formation of this organization, there has been an increase in the political representation of the Shia community in the government. The government can address the needs and interests of this population.
Limited Good
Fundraising is one of the limited goods for the Hizballah organization. The organization relies on charities and illegal or unethical fundraising methods. For instance, it is involved in illegal activities such as drug production and smuggling, credit cards, and cigarette smuggling. An example of the smuggling of products is in Europe. The organization is involved in the smuggling of cigarettes in Europe. This business is said to yield millions of dollars to the organization. A major challenge of this organization is being involved in this kind of illegal business. The businesses place the organization at risk of being sanctioned by international authorities. However, the organization raises its funds through front organizations and legitimate businesses. These organizations have enabled Hizballah to carry on its operations effectively.
Recruiting locals is another limited good in the organization. Hizballah is known for recruiting members from local areas where they have networks on the ground. This always helps them to expand their business and organization. Recruitment has also helped the organization to carry out operations to achieve its goals effectively. In addition, the organization can carry out many tasks. The members are responsible for various logistical, financial, and operational duties. For instance, the organization’s leaders raise funds, recruit new members, conduct preoperational surveillance, provide logistical support, procure weapons and dual-use technologies (for Hezbollah and Iran), and conduct operations. These activities take a different form. They may be conducted in the form of kidnappings, assassinations, or bombings. However, these activities have contributed to the honor and powerful nature of the organization.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is evident that the Hizballah organization is significant especially to the Shi population. Setting the Shia community free from marginalization and appropriately representing the community in the government was one of the major objectives of this organization. Secondly, the organization aimed to expel the French, Americans, and their partners from Lebanon. Thirdly, the organization would also enhance justice for crimes against Christians and Muslims. The members of the organization had various responsibilities. They could recruit the local Sunnis, collect intelligence on United States ships and Israel, and plan different attacks. These activities brought about shame and honor to the countries involved. Iran has greatly assisted the organization in various ways. It is considered a patron because they provide Hizballah with most of its funding, training, weapons, and explosives. Indeed, most of the power and abilities of Hizballah are from Iran. The discussion above also suggests that Hizballah leaders recruit university students in Russia. It has been targeting young and educated individuals to join the organization. The major aim of recruitment is to expand the organization’s network and operations. Major limited goods in the organization are also discussed. They include fundraising, recruitment of locals, and the ability to carry out multiple tasks. Most of the fundraising activities are illegal. This is risky because international authorities may sanction the organization. Overall, Hizballah is both an advantageous and problematic organization in the country.
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