In the Path of Hizbullah (Modern Intellectual and Political History in the Middle East)

In the Path of Hizbullah (Modern Intellectual and Political History in the Middle East)
by A. Nizar Hamzeh, Ahmad Nizar Hamzeh

In the Path of Hizbullah (Modern Intellectual and Political History in the Middle East)
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Book Summary Information

Author: A. Nizar Hamzeh, Ahmad Nizar Hamzeh
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-11
ISBN: 0815630530
Number of pages: 242
Publisher: Syracuse University Press

Book Reviews of In the Path of Hizbullah (Modern Intellectual and Political History in the Middle East)

Book Review: Essential for understanding Hezbollah
Summary: 5 Stars

With "In the Path of Hizbullah," Ahmad Nizar Hamzeh has produced one of the most detailed and in-depth accounts of what is quite possibly the most powerful force in Lebanon today. Hamzeh forgoes the history surrounding Hezbollah's formation and immediately dives into the mechanics of the group. What you'll find here is an up-close look at how Hezbollah operates and how it is organized.

Hamzeh's main thesis states that Hezbollah's goal of establishing on Islamic order in Lebanon has not changed from the group's inception. What has changed however, are the methods employed by the group to achieve this goal. Hamzeh shows that when conditions are favorable, the group will employ more militant methods. This was the case during the relative chaos of the 80s. When militant methods become ineffective, as they did in the 90s and continuing presently, Hezbollah adopts a more pragmatic approach. Through this analysis, Hamzeh shows that the Lebanese political structure is the only factor that can really affect Hezbollah's range of action. If the state is strong enough to contain Hezbollah, the group becomes less effective. On the other hand, if the state is weak or nonexistent, Hezbollah can get away with much more. Hamzeh also provides a wealth of information on how the group is structured. He provides an inside look at the chain of command, committees, financial organization, as well as the impact of third party influences such as Iran and Syria.

Hamzeh's book is not for the novice. A prior understanding of Hezbollah and its history is required before getting into the specifics provided here. As such, Norton's short history of Hezbollah is a good place to start before moving on to Hamzeh. These two books taken together go a long way in shedding light on what type of group Hezbollah is and what to expect from the group in the future. Hamzeh leaves his personal feelings out of his work, which is commendable, and the end result is much more helpful and more balanced in tone than Harik's book.

Summary of In the Path of Hizbullah (Modern Intellectual and Political History in the Middle East)

The only in-depth analysis of the party's emergence, ideology, organizational structure and modes of action.

Of the many Islamist groups that have emerged within the Muslim world over the last two decades, perhaps none has had so great an impact on Middle Eastern and International affairs as Hizbullah, the Party of God. This group of mainly Lebanese Shi'ite Muslims gained both infamy and fame by its resort to militancy mixed with political pragmatism in the pursuit of its goals. The oscillation between these two extremes has left most scholars and policymakers perplexed.

This book serves as a pathway for understanding not only Hizbullah but also for other Islamist groups and their challenges to contemporary politics. A. Nizar Hamzeh examines the Hizbullah of Lebanon through a structural analysis using original and archival sources. Based on a constructed theoretical framework from a number of theories on crisis conditions, leadership, political parties and guerrilla warfare, In the Path of Hizbullah stands alone in its qualitative and quantitative treatment of one of the most complex contemporary Islamist organizations and provides a view of the party's future.

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