Explaining the elements and components of the Lebanese Hezbollah smart power

Investigating the changes of power in the field of international relations is very important. Except for national actors, some foremost actors have shown good performance in achieving a new kind of power-based relationship. Hezbollah is now implementing smart power-based strategies and tactics after thirty years of trying to be recognized as a front-runner at the regional level. Smart power is a type of power in which hard and soft power sources are converted into smart power in a clever and optimal combination.

This research attempts to answer the question of what are Hezbollah's intelligent power resources and tools and how has Hezbollah been able to become a smart power in the Middle East?

The Hezbollah type of activism in the last three decades has been associated with the combination of hard power indices with soft power software values, which result in Hezbollah achieving a level of intelligent power in the context of low national actors.

The results show that Hezbollah's smart power is due to understanding the requirements of political activism, improving methods and practices, balancing actions and behaviors, and diversifying the use of political tools. Negotiation, coalition, balance and military deterrence, democratic methods, and attention to media power and psychological operations are also key elements of Hezbollah's acquisition of smart power.