Hezbollah and the Internet in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

Hezbollah is a significant power in Lebanon that operates as a Shiite political party and militant group. With Iranian support, Hezbollah has created a so-called resistance society from the Shiites neglected by the government that is based on three pillars: military infrastructure, a large-scale network of civilian institutions with the aim of improvement of the well-being of the Shiite population, and a media empire that has an essential role in disseminating the political messages and ideology of Hezbollah and Iran in Lebanon, the Middle East, and other parts of the world, using the full spectrum of media and new technologies, including Internet presence, to shape public opinion, gain supporters and sympathizers, fundraise, and wage information warfare against Israel and the Western World. This article sheds light on Hezbollah’s Internet activity and demonstrates Hezbollah’s cyberespionage campaign through two examples, describing its “Fake News” media camps and the possible connection between Hezbollah and money counterfeiting and selling on the Dark Web.