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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 pragmatic use of both militant and moderate tactics in pursuit of its goals. Hizbullah’s oscillation between these two extremes has left most scholars and policy makers perplexed. This book serves as a road map for understanding not only Hizbullah, but also other Islamist groups and their challenges to contemporary politics. Ahmad Nizar Hamzeh, associate professor in AUB‘s Department of Political Studies and Public Administration, examines Hizbullah of Lebanon through a structural analysis, using original and archival sources. Employing a theoretical framework that draws on a broad range of studies on crisis conditions, leadership, political parties, and guerrilla warfare, In the Path of Hizbullah stands alone in its qualitative and quantitative exploration of one of the most complex contemporary Islamist organizations and offers a thoughtful perspective on the party’s future. “This is the first comprehensive study of Hizbullah that addresses the historical dynamics of its emergence, its ideology, leadership, organizational structure, and operational policies toward Israel and within the Lebanese political system. The very few articles and monographic studies that exist focus on the externalities and militant actions of Hizbullah. This book, on the other hand, uniquely explores Hizbullah ‘from the outside,’ providing readers with a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Hizbullah’s multifaceted organs and activities, as well as the causes of its phenomenal success as a fighting organization, as a political party, and as a philanthropic agency.” R. H. Dekmejian Author of Islam in Revolution: Fundamentalism in the Arab World “Of all the studies of Hizbullah that I have read in Arabic, English, or French, this book is by far the most informative and analytical. The author provides a wealth of new and original information. If you read one book about Hizbullah, read this one. It is by far the best source on the subject.” As’ad Abukhalil Author of The Battle for Saudi Arabia: Royalty, Fundamentalism, and Global Power
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