HEZBOLLAH

BY PROF. AUGUSTUS RICHARD NORTON
PRINCETON UNIV. PRESS
609 883-1759

One only needs watch the evening news or read a daily newspaper, to know that situations in the Middle East and the players that are part of it are very complex and have histories that go way back and are all intertwined. Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? Who are your allies and who are your enemies? All of that can of course change tomorrow. As the old sports cliché used to say “ You can’t tell the players without a score card” . This book sheds light on one of the key players; Hezbollah, a Lebanon based Shi’i group with ties to Iran and Syria. The author Augustus Norton; is a Professor of International Relations and Anthropology at Boston Univ. He is also a former Army Officer and West Point Professor and served as a military observer for the UN in Lebanon and has first hand experience on the ground. The book examines how Hezbollah developed, how it evolved and what direction it might take in the future.

The book discusses whether Hezbollah is a terrorist group, a militia, a social services and public works provider or a political party. The answer may be yes to all. Think IRA and Sein Fein. Think Black Panther Party and the free lunch program. The book talks about their ties to Iran and Syria and their response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. In addition to their terrorist response, it looks at their decision to become involved in the political process in Lebanon that may conflict with their goal of an Islamic country. Remember that it was Hezbollah that attacked our USMC barracks in Lebanon in 1982 yet in 1992 it decided to enter the political race in Lebanon and won many seats. Think. Remember that most terrorist groups do in fact want or need popular support to survive. This is where Hezbollah’s support to the community for medical support and other needs that paid off. Think Fatah or Hamas in Gaza.

Last year however Hezbollah made a tactical error by snatching two Israeli soldiers which resulted in 34 days of destruction by the Israelis. Hezbollah survived but was hurt badly. Many Lebanese blamed them for the destruction caused by the Israelis. However the Israelis found that while they did not lose, they did not win either.
The book includes a glossary, a list of additional readings and a list of the sources cited.
If you are trying to understand what is going in the middle east, this book is a must read.

ELLIOTT GROLLMAN
MAJ. USAR ( RET.) MPC
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
USA

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