AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Empire
123. Hezbollah: The Party of God
Feb 15, 2024
Kim Ghattas, an expert on Middle Eastern politics and author of "The Black Wave," delves into Hezbollah's transformation from a militia to a dominant political party in Lebanon. She discusses the origins of the group, fueled by Iranian support during the early 1980s, and its controversial tactics like suicide bombings and kidnappings. Ghattas also explores the complex social and cultural shifts within Lebanon's Shia community, the group's resilience amidst ongoing conflicts, and its significant impact on regional and global relations.
47:59
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Hezbollah emerged as a resistance movement against Israeli occupation, providing social services to gain support in Lebanese politics.
- Hezbollah introduced suicide bombing as a powerful means of resistance and solidified their reputation as a formidable force.
Deep dives
Rise of Hezbollah and the Fear of War in Lebanon
Hezbollah, a Shia militant political party backed by Iran and armed by Iran, emerged in Lebanon as a resistance movement against Israeli occupation in the 1980s. They successfully fought against Israeli forces and eventually led to the Israeli withdrawal from Southern Lebanon in 2000. Hezbollah gained support by providing social services, such as schools and hospitals, to the Shia community in Lebanon. However, over time, they became entrenched in Lebanese politics and turned their guns against the Lebanese people. They also established themselves as a regional paramilitary force for Iran, involved in conflicts in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. Despite their political power and influence, they faced criticism for corruption and further corrupting Lebanese politics.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode