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Mr. Perry described Hezbollah’s structure as being three tiered: a social service provider, a political party, and a military organization. Most of Hezbollah’s $100 million budget helps fund social services such as schools, clinics, insurance, and job training. These services give Hezbollah broad popular support, particularly among Lebanese Shi’a. Hezbollah is also a successful political party with seats in the Lebanese legislature. Perry noted that Hezbollah is dedicated to democratic principles, runs professional campaigns, and has not been afraid to ally itself with other political parties, including the Maronite Phalange Party. As a military organization, Hezbollah has a well-trained, well-equipped, disciplined army of at least 10,000 soldiers. Perry estimated that they are the strongest military in the region after Israel, Iran, and Egypt.

Mr. Perry then debunked five common myths about Hezbollah. First, many believe that Hezbollah is a global terrorist organization. Perry noted that Hezbollah has not attacked the United States since the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing, and even then Hezbollah involvement was debatable. Second, some Americans believe that Hezbollah is affiliated with al-Qa’ida. In fact, as a Shi’a group actively involved in democratic politics, Hezbollah is viewed with great hostility by al-Qa’ida, which is Sunni and avidly opposed to democracy. Third, many perceive Hezbollah as a tool of Iran and Syria. Perry argued that, while Iran and Syria provide arms and support, Hezbollah is an independent organization. He noted Hezbollah’s assertion that their relationship with Iran is a consultative alliance, much like Israel’s relationship with the United States. He did not believe Iran ordered Hezbollah’s recent attack on Israel. Fourth, Hezbollah is often seen as being in league with Hamas. While the two have a mutual enemy in Israel, there is considerable suspicion and tension between the two groups, and the Hamas and Hezbollah attacks on the IDF were probably not coordinated. Fifth, Hezbollah is seen as being dedicated to the destruction of the state of Israel. While their rhetoric does indicate this, Perry said that Hezbollah is more pragmatic and may be willing to negotiate with Israel. In fact, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, has stated that if Palestine and Israel reach a permanent settlement, Hezbollah would accept it.

Frederic Hof disagreed with Perry’s assertions about Hezbollah’s independence from Iran. He argued that Hezbollah has primarily functioned as an Iranian deterrent to the United States and Israel. Hof asserted that, while not Iranian agents, Nasrallah and his inner circle always seek to further the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hof also discussed the beginnings of the dispute over the Sheba’a Farms, claiming that when Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah invented a territorial dispute between Lebanon and Israel over the Sheba’a Farms to justify its continued military readiness.

Hof said that the Hezbollah attack on IDF forces on July 12 was carefully planned and cleared with Tehran. It was intended at least partly to coincide with Israeli operations in Gaza and expand Hezbollah’s appeal to Sunnis as well as Shi’a. Hof recognized that, although Israel has a right to defend itself, a military response was inappropriate. Hezbollah is heavily embedded in the civilian population in Lebanon, meaning that military action against Hezbollah naturally entails high civilian casualties. Hezbollah cannot be completely destroyed through military action, and must be dealt with in other ways. Therefore, the US should press Israel for an immediate cease-fire. Hof stated that there is “no such thing as a premature cease-fire when children’s lives are at stake.”

Hof advised that a strong UN peace enforcement force should be sent to southern Lebanon, reconstruction efforts should begin as soon as possible, and negotiations should begin between Israel and Lebanon. He lamented that the United States did not press Israel and Lebanon to resolve their territorial disputes before the current crisis. Any international peace enforcement mission should be militarily strong but should have at least some consent from all parties involved, including Hezbollah, or else it may quickly be seen as an occupation force.

The speakers elaborated on their views during the question and answer period. When asked what conditions would be necessary for a lasting peace, Hof reiterated that the territorial dispute between Israel and Lebanon must be resolved, while Perry focused on the necessity of solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in order to relieve tensions in the region and remove the rallying point for otherwise disparate groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Perry also noted that, while it is not covered heavily in Western media, the Israeli arrest of 87 Hamas legislators without charges must be addressed. Regarding Hezbollah’s relationship with Syria, Hof stated that it is less central than Hezbollah’s relations with Iran. Hezbollah receives arms from Syria in exchange for putting pressure on Israel over the Golan Heights, though this policy has thus far been unsuccessful for Syria.

Both addressed the possibility of Hezbollah trying to create a broad Sunni-Shi’a alliance. While Perry did not believe that Hezbollah is trying to create a Sunni-Shi’a bloc, Hof argued that Hezbollah is seeking to transcend its Shi’a identity and appeal to Sunni Arabs, noting that there is currently widespread Sunni support for Hezbollah. When asked about sectarian tensions in Lebanon, Perry noted that these tensions must not be ignored and that a national dialogue should begin with full international support along the lines of the reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland.