ABSTRACT
The many facets of Hizbullah and the myriad roles it plays in the Lebanese, Middle Eastern and international arenas are, for officials and observers alike, cause for debate about the identity, purpose and inner workings of the group, and about its relationship with Tehran. Hizbullah serves as the ideological and operational cornerstone of the Mumanaa and the Axis of Resistance that have propelled Iran into the politics of the Arab world and which structure Iran’s various regional activities. Hizbullah’s leaders and core members acknowledge the centrality of Iran to its identity, development and current operations. The trigger for Hizbullah’s rise was Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Hizbullah’s leadership structure reflects the various facets of the movement. Rockets and missiles have been an integral part Hizbullah’s military successes, and Iran has been instrumental in the group’s acquisition and development of these capabilities. Hizbullah’s prestige and intimate relationship with Iran’s top leadership have political benefits for Arab non-state actors seeking association.
