"Larger than a party, yet smaller than a state": Locating Hezbollah's place within Lebanon's state and society

Hezbollah has earned the reputation as one of the world's most lethal and effective guerilla/terrorist organizations. The present work explores and elucidates Hezbollah's position vis-à-vis the Lebanese state and society. First, it maps the theoretical perspective with which Hezbollah will be examined. Second, an attempt is made to examine how Hezbollah's military struggle against Israel has defined the organization and the influences of Syria and Iran to its development. Third, it is shown how the Taiff Accord and Hezbollah's subsequent decision to run candidates in the 1992 parliamentary elections fundamentally changed the organization's goals and orientation. Fourth, the degree of domestic autonomy that Hezbollah has been able to exercise within the Lebanese state and the organization's future in light of Israelis 2000 withdrawal from southern Lebanon is illustrated. Finally, recent developments within Lebanon and the possible implications of a United States-pressured Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon are outlined.