
Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule
Lebanese Hezbollah goes to great lengths to publicize its overt, social, and political activities and to conceal its covert terrorist, militant, and criminal pursuits. In the words of one operative, Hezbollah's "Golden Rule" is this: The Less You Know, the Better.In this podcast, terrorism scholar Matthew Levitt sets out to break this rule by shining a bright spotlight on Hezbollah's global terrorist and criminal activities. Levitt has been following Lebanese Hezbollah for almost three decades in and out of government. He's written books, given expert testimony, and literally mapped Hezbollah's worldwide illicit activities in an online interactive map and timeline. (https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/hezbollahinteractivemap)Listen as Levitt tracks Hezbollah's evolution over the years and its operations across the globe from Lebanon to Kuwait, across Europe and Asia, then on to the Western Hemisphere from Buenos Aires to New York. Along the way, he'll speak with law enforcement officers, intelligence agents, government officials, and world-class experts from around the globe, each of whom has first-person experience confronting Hezbollah and uncovering things the group would much prefer nobody ever heard about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

22 snips
Mar 30, 2022 • 42min
Undermining Stability in Lebanon
Former assistant secretary Daniel Glaser discusses Hezbollah's financial operations, political maneuvering, and assassination tactics in Lebanon. They explore the group's control over the Lebanese financial system, political alliances, and intimidation tactics used to silence critics. The podcast delves into Hezbollah's transformation from a liberation force to a destabilizing entity aligned with Iran, impacting Lebanese stability.

8 snips
Mar 23, 2022 • 33min
Hezbollah “Black Ops” in the Western Hemisphere
Former NYPD intelligence director, Mitchell Silber, discusses Hezbollah sleeper agents in the US creating attack plans. They traveled with American passports to Asia and South America. Topics include surveillance tactics, training, and global operations of Hezbollah operatives.

15 snips
Mar 16, 2022 • 36min
Operation Cedar: Hezbollah Narco-Money Laundering
European authorities uncover Hezbollah's money laundering network in EU countries, linking profits to fund terrorist activities. DEA reveals high-ranking Hezbollah operatives involved. Podcast explores Hezbollah's criminal enterprise, drug trafficking, and global network. Guests discuss encounters with mysterious businessmen and tensions within the illicit scheme. DEA investigations shed light on Hezbollah's narco-money laundering operations and connections to South American cartels.

8 snips
Mar 9, 2022 • 38min
Hezbollah Attack Plots in Cyprus and Bulgaria
Guests Magnus Norell and Carter Burwell discuss Hezbollah attacks in Cyprus and Bulgaria. They explore Hezbollah's tactics, including failed plots, surveillance, and counterterrorism efforts. The podcast reveals the collaboration between US and Cypriot authorities, uncovering deceptive tactics, operative training, and Iran's strategic shift in terrorism activities.

11 snips
Mar 2, 2022 • 36min
Hezbollah Support Networks in America
Former FBI agents discuss the Hezbollah criminal network in America, including smuggling cigarettes, watching martyrdom videos, firearms training, credit card schemes, weapon trafficking, and counterfeit money production. The investigation reveals a complex web of illicit activities and threats posed by Hezbollah in the U.S.

8 snips
Feb 23, 2022 • 36min
Crime and Terror in South America
Expert Chris discusses Hezbollah's criminal activities in South America's Tri-Border Area, including smuggling, fundraising, and bombings in Buenos Aires. Guests shed light on Hezbollah's networks, money laundering schemes, and the pursuit of justice in the region.

8 snips
Feb 16, 2022 • 31min
Hezbollah Goes Global
Former journalist Nader Uskowi and guests discuss Hezbollah's global terrorism campaigns, including attacks in Kuwait, Europe, and the targeting of Iranian dissidents. They delve into the motivations behind these actions and the consequences of disrupting Hezbollah's European operations, shedding light on the group's activities in Germany and South America.

5 snips
Feb 9, 2022 • 30min
Origin Story—"Wild, Wild West Beirut"
The podcast delves into the origins of Hezbollah and its evolution into a formidable force, with insights on their ties to Iran and overseas attacks. It also discusses the horrors of hostage captivity in Lebanon, shedding light on the search for CIA station chief Bill Buckley and the efficiency of Hezbollah's strategic operations.

Jan 21, 2022 • 2min
Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule - Trailer
Preview Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule, a podcast series devoted to shining a bright light on the global terrorist and criminal activities that the Lebanese organization would rather remain in the shadows. Coming soon to your favorite podcatcher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.