of the Middle East's major political forces."—Washington Report on Middle Eastern AffairsHizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem provides an unparalleled insider's view of the workings of this Shi'ite resistance group-turned-political party.Formed in 1982 in response to Israel's invasion of Lebanon, Hizbullah was instrumental in eventually forcing Israel to withdraw its troops in 2000, thus ending a twenty-two-year military occupation. In the summer war of 2006, Hizbullah proved to the world that it is much more than a political party—it is a force to be reckoned with.This updated paperback includes a new introduction covering the 2006 war and the spring 2008 events in Beirut.Naim Qassem was born in Lebanon in 1953. He holds degrees in chemistry and religious studies and taught chemistry for many years at college level. A founding member of Hizbullah in 1982 and the party's deputy secretary-general since 1991, he is the author of numerous books on political and religious issues.

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