2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

SYRIA-LEBANON
Hizballah: Amassing Arms and Power
Hizballah is a heavily armed terrorist organization with global reach that in
many ways dominates and paralyzes Lebanon’s government. Supported by
Iran and Syria, Hizballah poses a direct threat to American national security
interests and to Israel.
KEY POINTS
• U.S. officials describe Hizballah as the most technically capable terrorist organization
in the region. Headquartered in Lebanon, Hizballah targets U.S. allies and interests in the
Middle East and across the world.
• Hizballah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, has killed more Americans than any
terrorist group other than al-Qaeda.
• Hizballah acts as a proxy for Iran and was founded as an organization dedicated
to Israel’s “obliteration,” and has aided and abetted the killing of rebel forces in Syria.
• Hizballah’s Iranian- and Syrian-supplied arsenal of more than 60,000 short- and
long-range rockets threatens all Israeli population centers.
• Hizballah has aided and abetted the killing of rebel forces in Syria.
• Hizballah’s refusal to disarm and its expanded influence over the Lebanese
government threaten regional stability.
The Important Role That Congress Can Play
During deliberations on foreign aid legislation, Congress has played an important oversight
role in helping to ensure the proper use of U.S. assistance by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
With Hizballah and its allies now largely dominating the Lebanese government, Congress should
scrutinize any proposed assistance to ensure that it would not enhance Hizballah’s control,
support attacks on Israel, or perpetuate Syrian or Iranian influence in Lebanon.
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