The Role of Lebanese Hezbollah in the Security of the West Asia Region with Emphasis on IRI's Support

The current trend of political, security developments in the West Asia region (the Middle East) indicate an increase in the role and influence exerted by non-state actors. Non-state actors are transnational parties, movements, and organizations that have come to exist on the basis of a specific (religious or political) ideology, and have political, social, cultural, economic, and most probably military and security structures. A few of these actors have been able to show off as quasi-national or quasi- state forces, such that other state actors or regional and international powers has no alternative but to recognize the role and influence exerted by such actors in formulating political relations and adopting their own tactics and strategies. The Lebanese Hezbollah is a non-state actor that has- since the very foundation of this organization- been able to retain its progressing trend, and to evolve into one of the most influential non-state actors in the region. Therefore, using analytical-descriptive method, this article has studied the process of IRI's role and influence in contributing to the security of the region as well as the underdevelopment of Hezbollah from its foundation to the end of the year 2014. The findings of this research support this reality that, having been conducted and orientated by IRI policies in the region, Hezbollah has managed to become a national and regional influential power with a higher influence coefficient from a local actor with a lower influence coefficient. Also, considering the fact that Hezbollah is a part of the anti-Zionist resistance axis, it could be deemed as "part of an international power".