Lebanon at a Crossroads: Hezbollah's Role and the Shadow of Iran
September 19, 2024, 11:20 am

Lebanon at a Crossroads: Hezbollah's Role and the Shadow of Iran

Michael Arizanti

To understand Hezbollah's power in Lebanon and their role in the region, one must delve into their origins and the significant influence of Iran. The history of the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, is complex, hosting Hezbollah, one of the world's most organized and armed non-state actors, known as the "Party of God." Hezbollah controls substantial portions of Lebanon and has recently been the target of sophisticated attacks.

Lebanon's history as a French colony, its independence, and its governance through a delicate balance of power among various ethnic and religious groups set the stage for Hezbollah's rise. The group emerged during the chaos of the Lebanese Civil War, following the Israeli invasion in 1982 aimed at ousting the PLO, which had relocated to Lebanon after being expelled from Jordan.

Hezbollah's inception was marked by the support from Iran, which, post its 1979 Islamic Revolution, sought to expand Shia influence in a predominantly Sunni region. Iran's backing has been pivotal, providing Hezbollah with military training, weapons, and financial support, transforming it into a formidable force within Lebanon and a significant player in regional politics.

The narrative often focuses on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the broader picture shows Iran's strategic use of proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis to challenge Israel and its allies, thereby extending its influence across the Middle East. This strategy has not only armed Hezbollah to the teeth, with an estimated arsenal capable of threatening Israel, but has also positioned Hezbollah as a central figure in any discussion about Middle Eastern stability.

Without Iran's support, Hezbollah's capacity would be greatly diminished, suggesting that much of the ongoing conflict and the lack of peace in the Middle East can be attributed to this dynamic. Iran's role through Hezbollah and other proxies has perpetuated a cycle of violence and retaliation, making peace an elusive goal. If Iran and its proxies were not in the equation, the dynamics might shift towards diplomacy and stability, as the region would likely face less external agitation and military escalation. However, this hypothetical scenario does not account for other regional tensions and internal issues that also contribute to the unrest. Nonetheless, removing Iran's influence would undoubtedly alter the power balance, paving the way for peace negotiations without the shadow of Iranian-backed terrorism provocations.

BY: Michael Arizanti

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”