|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/europes-moment-of-decision-on-hezbollah
Europe's Moment of Decision on Hizbullah
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Matthew Levitt - Hizbullah had resumed terrorist operations in Europe after years of financial and logistical support activities there. If history is any guide, failure to respond in a meaningful way would almost certainly have invited further Hizbullah attacks. The most significant impact of the EU ban on Hizbullah's military wing will be to enable EU governments to initiate preemptive intelligence investigations into Hizbullah activities. This should make Europe a far less attractive place for Hizbullah operatives. In addition, the ban communicates to Hizbullah that continuing its current activities will endanger its legitimacy as a political actor. Seizing significant amounts of Hizbullah funds is unlikely, but the ban will probably still curtail Hizbullah fundraising. The writer is director of the Washington Institute's Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.