8 - Lebanon (1988–2013)

Summary

Maintaining the focus outside of Iran’s borders, Chapter 8 “Lebanon (1988–2013)” investigates RJ’s deployment to Lebanon in cooperation with Hizbullah. RJ’s presence in Lebanon sheds light on three critical aspects of Hizbullah and its relationship with the IRI. First, RJ reveals that, rather than simply existing as a client of the IRI, Hizbullah sought autonomy from it. To this end, Hizbullah aspired to control RJ’s projects, localize its personnel, and diversify its funding. Second, RJ demonstrates how Hizbullah instrumentalized development to advance its strategic and ideational interests. They included mobilizing and socializing recruits, supporters, and voters, spreading political and religious values, and preserving a territorial and social base. Third and finally, RJ illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of Hizbullah’s politicized, faith-based, and distributive development model. While instilling cohesiveness and commitment in some personnel and beneficiaries, it disregarded the priorities and preferences of others, and lacked inclusivity and sustainability.