April 27, 2009
Hezbollah heads into mainstream Lebanese life and politics

Lebanon is preparing for elections that could dramatically alter the leadership of the moderate country.

One of the expected big winners is Hezbollah, which commands a huge and growing influence in Lebanon.

Some call it a state within a state; a movement that is all too willing to fill any gaps it perceives left open by the government. Hezbollah, with its close ties to Iran, has become very influential — and though the U.S. government considers them terrorists, they are heroes to their many followers.

Worldfocus special correspondent Kristen Gillespie reports on Hezbollah.

Read more and view pictures from Kristen Gillespie’s reporting experience in Beirut: Scenes of Hezbollah in south Beirut

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Comments

16 comments

#16

03/28/2010 :: 05:43:36 PM
S. Zuhur Says:

Biased reporting from the first sentence “HEZb(misspelling)ollah’s ‘paranoid’ world view.” As to the silly remark that no other country in the region has a militia and a national army; the national army is deliberately too small, and like the rest of the country, provides opportunities to Christian officers, not everyone. “All of Lebanon” paying the price for Hizbullah, what a truly Israeli slogan!

#15

10/27/2009 :: 01:27:00 PM
Nina Says:

Hizbollah wll only bring trouble to lebanon. I am lebanese and i am against hizbollah.

#14

06/03/2009 :: 05:06:16 PM
Tune in: Online radio show on Lebanon’s election | Politics News Says:

[...] For more on the rise of Hezbollah in Lebanese politics, watch the Worldfocus signature story: Hezbollah heads into mainstream Lebanese life and politics. [...]

#13

06/02/2009 :: 06:17:14 PM
Controversy stirs ahead of major election in Lebanon | Worldfocus Says:

[...] play out on south Beirut streetsBeirut’s underground gay community congregates discreetlyHezbollah heads into mainstream Lebanese life and politicsFrom bloodshed to bustle, scenes from a Beirut streetCan Israel’s military succeed in Gaza? [...]

#12

06/02/2009 :: 06:16:58 PM
Tune in: Online radio show on Lebanon’s election | Worldfocus Says:

[...] Controversy stirs ahead of major election in LebanonTune in: Online radio show on polar politicsHezbollah heads into mainstream Lebanese life and politicsScenes of Hezbollah play out on south Beirut streetsTune in: Online radio show on Sri Lanka’s [...]

#11

05/29/2009 :: 04:11:46 PM
Controversy stirs ahead of major election in Lebanon | Politics News Says:

[...] Hezbollah is pitted against the current anti-Syria majority. For more on the rise of Hezbollah in Lebanese politics, watch the Worldfocus signature story: Hezbollah heads into mainstream Lebanese life and politics. [...]

#10

05/05/2009 :: 05:52:31 PM
Boris D. Says:

Read some history Nick before you open your empty mouths.
Since, 8 century Islam “peacefully” spread from Arabian Peninsula to N. Africa, Egypt, Middle East, Asia and S. Europe. Arab Muslims still occupy more than dozens countries and oppress millions of people.
In 1948 & 1967 Israel took back Land that historically was belonging to Jews, since than Arabs armies and all terrorist organizations (PLO, Hezbollah, Hamas, Fatah and Al Qaida) were DEFEATED in many wars and conflicts. The only things are left for them is to “open mouths “and complain on “Israeli aggressor”.

#9

05/02/2009 :: 01:42:17 PM
Johnny Says:

Of note a considerable portion of Hezbollah’s wealth and weapons are thru the illegal blood diamond traid in west africa and drug smuggling in south america. It is well known that they have the lion’s share of the market in those two areas.
Thank you!

#8

04/29/2009 :: 01:43:21 AM
jp Says:

Dear Neil P.

I found your prospective on the situation in the Middle East quite interesting, yet not without contradiction.

You said, “I am not a member of any religion, but what does religion have to do with the Middle East? We can never understand the Middle East until we look at it without religion!”

First, it’s because of religious belief that Israel makes their claim to the land in question.

But the contradiction in you statement is the second part of your statement above where you say, “We can never understand the Middle East until we look at it without religion!”, and then in your remedy where you say,

“Until we accept that only one reality exist and the Middle East must be changed to conform with Cardinal Human Values, we will see the Middle East grind on in endless chaos and injustice.”

“Cardinal” human values is the same as saying “Theological” human values and/or virtues. Back to religion you go.

But that’s OK, you see when we act in accord with Godly values or wish to apply them in our lives to solve our problems, it’s because when He created us, He installed in us those values.

Some people call it a conscience :)

#7

04/28/2009 :: 10:40:49 AM
N. Keshava Says:

I think there is only one solution: NOT a two state solution, but a ONE STATE SOLUTION. I suggest we call it Paisraeltine. It should be a secular state that allows it citizens to practice or not practice any faith or lack of faith - they would only be allow to “just get along”. Now, that would make God happy.

#6

04/28/2009 :: 10:15:41 AM
Neil P. Says:

I am not a member of any religion, but what does religion have to do with the Middle East? We can never understand the Middle East until we look at it without religion! Religion is only relevant in that it is a source of clash and injustice there. What is critical is to look at what our human values teach us and how to apply them to Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, etc. The first and main problem is the displacement of the Palestinians. Religion cannot explain to us that this displacement is immoral. A country cannot to invade another (or in this case to from a country where another county or people already exist). The formation of Israel was an immoral act – plain and simple. We cannot see that or deal with that due to our religious views of reality. Until we accept that only one reality exist and the Middle East must be changed to conform with Cardinal Human Values, we will see the Middle East grind on in endless chaos and injustice. Hezbollah may be made up of religious folks, but they have the ace card of fighting for the Palestinians. That gives them the high ground and that must be respected.

#5

04/28/2009 :: 10:10:09 AM
Shiite identity sustains Hezbollah power in Lebanon | Politics News Says:

[...] Goksel makes an appearance in Worldfocus Signature Story Hezbollah heads into mainstream Lebanese life and politics. [...]

#4

04/28/2009 :: 07:41:00 AM
Adam Zuabi Says:

Look up the phrase “self determination”. With Israel continuing to occupy parts of Lebanon and refusing the right of return for millions of Palestinian refugees living in miserable conditions to their homeland (anyone even remember that?), and the Israeli backed US admin in total control of Iraqi and egyptian policies in the region, Hizbullah “Paranoia” as Gillespie calls it can be well understood. To use the same over-simplistic and patronizing tone of her report, Hizbullah are the handful of Jedi rebels facing the mighty empire. or as C3PO wisely commented on middle east politics: “I suggest a new strategy, R2. Let the wookiee win”

#3

04/27/2009 :: 11:36:29 PM
nick Says:

Unfortunately, any report on hizbollah always misses (surprisingly) key facts about the group and especially about the 2006 war. Mr Olmert in his own words confessed to pre-planning the war on lebanon months before the group even thought of kidnapping the soldiers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6431637.stm
Another thing that media almost every time fail to mention is the reason why the soldiers were kidnapped which is to negotiate the lebanese prisoners (one was captured 26 years ago) that were imprisoned by israel forever. when will people stop being ignorant and read some history and realize that Israel is NOT THE VICTIM it is the AGGRESSOR! Israel occupied 20% of lebanon for almost 20 years and no one gave a damn. Any group including hizbollah or any other, will be formed to get rid of the occupier. another simple fact that Miss Gillispie never bothered to read about is that the Lebanese Army is not allowed to be armed with any advanced weapons that could pose critical to Israel’s security. No anti tank shield missiles or anti aircraft missiles are allowed to be sold to the lebanese army! maybe thats why Israel flies its jets daily over lebanon and no one even bothers to mention it in the news. what a joke! i wonder what the US would do if mexican or canadian jets flew over texas for few minutes!!! Read some history people before you open your empty mouths.

#2

04/27/2009 :: 11:12:59 PM
John W. Hazouri Says:

I wish Nazrallah would join the Voice of Hazbollah! http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/voicesofhazbollah

#1

04/27/2009 :: 10:44:13 PM
dorn l Says:

s. Gillespie made some good points about Hezbollah in her pieces.

But the origins of the recent war with Israel was distorted. Ms. Gillespie asserted that Israel responded immediately after Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers. She omitted that at the same time, Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel and killed other Israeli soldiers - before Israel started to respond.

Hezbollah’s racism was underplayed. Its TV station Al Manar is so anti-semitic that it has been banned from France. Hezbollah publicly declares not only that it will destroy Israel, but that it will kill all Jews. Internationally, Hezbollah was instrumental in the 1994 bombing of the Argentine community center in Buenos Aires that killed some 90 Argentineans.

Hezbollah has publicly defended Sudan’s actions in Darfur, and repeatedly offered support to Sudan. Then there is its infamous bombing of the US marine barracks.

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