David Schencker
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Oct. 23, 2023
“Iran appears for the time being to be inclined to preserve Hezbollah—its most important deterrent asset against a potential Israeli strike on the theocracy’s nuclear programme—rather than degrade its capabilities in the service of Hamas.”
October 23 marks the 40th anniversary of Lebanese Hezbollah’s truck bomb attack on the marine barracks in Beirut. The assault, which killed 241 US marines, was, until 11 September 2001, the most deadly terrorist attack against Americans. Indeed, to this day, except al-Qaida, no terrorist organisation has killed more.
While this attack on US troops deployed as part of the US-French Multinational Force in Lebanon occurred four decades ago, it’s an increasingly relevant reminder of the danger this Iranian-created proxy force poses. The last time Hezbollah targeted Americans was in 1996 when the group supported the bombing of Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, an explosion that killed 19 US Air Force personnel. As the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza enters its third week, however, there are indications that Hezbollah could again Target Americans.
Shortly after the 7 October Hamas assault that launched the war, President Biden unambiguously articulated US support for Israel. “We stand with Israel,” he said, adding, “We will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack.” This statement was accompanied by an immediate resupply of armaments and Washington’s explicit backing for a punishing air campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
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