National Liberation Movements, Influenced by Post 9/11 Events; Case Study: Lebanons Hezbollah

Terrorism is a phenomenon which has experienced several changes during its evolution. Along with its evolution, fighting terrorism has seen several changes as well. After September 11th, 2001, suppressing terrorism was accepted as a dominant world approach in fighting terrorism. As a result, the liberation movements, which were fighting against occupation, colonization, and racial segregation within their countrys legal framework, were affected by this approach. Since then, some liberation movements have been under pressure because world powers mapped out dual approach against terrorism, based on their interests. These movements were pressured since their policies did not align with western governments. Hezbollah movement was not an exception; it was accused of terrorism for its anti-western approach and armed fights against Israel. This paper studied Hezbollah within the worlds frameworks for fighting terrorism. It has been affected by post September 11th process of worlds fighting terrorism. In order to dismiss accusations, Hezbollah has made a functional change in itself by more participation in political, cultural, and economic arenas. This helped it reduce the pressures and introduce itself as a public, nationalist, and effective party in Lebanon, while it sustained its military and ideological nature. This paper intends to explain the anti-terrorist process after September 11th and analyze its influence on Lebanons Hezbollah, using a descriptive-analytic methodology, and library sources.