Hezbollah, the subject of this study, is a radical political organization based in the Lebanon whose members are Shiite Muslims determined to achieve an Islamic state there. Their tactics have included brutal and vicious acts of terrorism: the suicide bomber's killing of 241 US marines in Beirut in 1983 with what the Americans described at the time as "the biggest bomb after Hiroshima"; the kidnap of a TWA flight during which an American was executed; the seizure of John McCarthy, Terry Waite, Brian Keenan, Terry Anderson and many other westerners from Beirut. Hezbollah has been the blueprint for fundamental Islamic organizations throughout the Middle East and North Africa, and the devotion to the cause is explained and explored in the book. The suicide bomber who killed nine Israeli soldiers in April 1995 speaks here, as does his wife - approvingly - of his martyrdom. The kidnappers tell their side of the story, as do their victims. The strategy of Hezbollah's weekly attacks on Israeli forces in Lebanon and monthly "unique" attacks is revealed, as well as the resonances of Hezbollah found in the Palestinian-administered areas of Israel.
There are insights into the shadowy sister organization, many of whose members live in Tehran, and to whom even Hezbollah seems to defer. And there is coverage of Hezbollah's links with Irangate, and discussion of how the organization will respond to peace in Middle East, if peace comes.
- ISBN10 1857025784
- ISBN13 9781857025781
- Publish Date 1 October 1998 (first published 3 July 1997)
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Out of Print 4 October 2004
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint Fourth Estate Ltd
- Format Paperback
- Pages 256
- Language English