Samenvatting

The author focuses on the complex phenomenon of Hezbollah and its supporters. Although concluding it is unique in its combination of strategic objectives, military capabilities, the weak state of Lebanon, Iranian and Syrian military and political support, and the religious theocratic ideology, this is the kind of adversary western armed forces are dealing with and probably will have to deal with in the decades ahead. It raises the questions whether a superior military should use disproportionate force to deter a weaker adversary, but also how to handle the far more dangerous enemies behind direct adversaries (Iran), who have far more freedom of action, as through organisations like Hezbollah they can take the fight to their enemy at any time and level of violence of their choosing. This becomes even more disquieting when considering the missile - and terrorist - capabilities, the Hezbollah-Iran combination has, to deliver a range of nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological charges.