Hezbollah, Lebanese Reconstruction, and how the US should React

In Hassan Nasarallah's "victory" speech on Monday, he stated that to complete the victory post-war reconstruction under their leadership will be done. Hezbollah told Nehme T. Tohme, a member of parliament and the country’s minister for the displaced, that Iran would provide then with an unlimited budget for reconstruction. Hezbollah is already out in the streets in towns destroyed by the war assisting the people. This article courtesy of the New York Times New York Times outlines Hezbollah's strategy and its reach.

It is not fully known what the US strategy is regarding post-war Lebanon. It is known that the US must strengthen the Lebanese government at the expense of Hezbollah. In order to prevent Hezbollah from gaining more power, the United States needs to supply Beirut with almost an unlimited amount of funds to counter Hezbollah's reconstruction efforts. Hezbollah thrives in the areas were the central government is weak. The central government needs to be able to have the funding to step into Shiite and other devastated areas and take care of its people. The US has provided 30 million dollars in humanitarian assistance during this conflict but gave it through American organizations or NGOs like the Catholic Relief Services, although helpful, it is not strengthening the Lebanese government.

The United States, if necessary should be willing to spend billions of dollars in helping civil society in Lebanon. Success on the war on terrorism depends on it. As long as the government fails to provide all of its services, Hezbollah will become more and more powerful. At a certain point if they feel strong enough they might take an opportunity to overthrow the government and complete its goal to create an Islamic republic. To weaken and eventually be able to disarm Hezbollah, the government needs to have reasons why the Lebanese people should rely on the government instead of Hezbollah. A strong government with the proper funds and support can do just that. It is pertinent to American interests to embolden the pro-Western majority in the current government in order to stop the hegemonic advance of Syria and Iran in the Middle East.