Introduction

Hezbollah: A Complex and Controversial Force in the Middle East

Introduction

Hezbollah, meaning "Party of God" in Arabic, is a complex and multifaceted organization that has played a significant role in the political and military landscape of the Middle East for decades. With its origins in the Lebanese Civil War, Hezbollah has evolved into a powerful political party, a formidable militia, and a major player in regional and international affairs.

Origins and Ideological Roots

Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by a group of Lebanese Shi'a Muslims who were inspired by the Iranian Revolution and its ideology of Islamic governance. The organization's primary goal was to resist the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon and to create an Islamic state in Lebanon.