Prof. Dr. Barış Doster evaluates the killing of Nasrallah for 12punto

Semih Demirhan / https://12punto.com.tr/

Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has taken center stage in the global agenda as a development that shifts the balance of power and further escalates tensions in the Middle East. While Israel targeted Nasrallah, whom it has long claimed threatens regional security, reactions in the region, led by Iran, are growing like an avalanche following this operation. 

The killing of Hassan Nasrallah has further deepened the already tense Iran-Israel relations. It was announced during the day that the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee had "convened to address Israel's aggression in the region, particularly in Lebanon."

Following the meeting, Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei issued a written statement regarding Israel's attacks in Lebanon.

In his statement, noting that Israel is trying to apply the war crimes it has been committing in Gaza for a year to Lebanon as well, Khamenei said, "The Zionist criminals should know that they are too small to cause serious damage to Hezbollah's strong structure in Lebanon." The Iranian leader stated that the "resistance forces" in the region would stand with Hezbollah and that "the struggle of the resistance forces will continue under Hezbollah's leadership."

Prof. Dr. Barış Doster, who is also a 12punto columnist, evaluated the killing of Nasrallah and the latest developments in the Middle East for 12punto.

'CADRES CHANGE ALONG WITH THE LEADER'

Stating that Hassan Nasrallah, who became an iconic figure with Hezbollah, was a charismatic leader, Doster said that Nasrallah played very important roles in Hezbollah's institutionalization over the years, increasing its influence in the Middle East, and establishing dialogue with other organizations and states. Expressing that Nasrallah had a very important share in the Hezbollah structure, which Iran describes as the "axis of resistance," Doster said, "Since these organizations in the Middle East are very accustomed to their leaders being murdered by Israel, they immediately choose other names to replace the leader. Cadres change along with the leader. However, the loss of Nasrallah is certainly a significant loss."

Stating that he does not expect a change in Hezbollah's orientation and policies following Nasrallah's assassination, Prof. Dr. Barış Doster said, "I think Israel has caused Hezbollah to lose great power with its massacres, genocide, and technological attacks. As Nasrallah admitted a few days before he was killed, these attacks have caused great damage to Hezbollah."

'HEZBOLLAH RECEIVES GREAT SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC'

Prof. Dr. Barış Doster also made statements regarding the position of Hezbollah, which holds an important place in Lebanese politics, in domestic politics. Expressing that Hezbollah has a great influence on Lebanese politics and that tensions have occasionally occurred with the Lebanese Armed Forces due to this influence, Barış Doster said, "We know that Lebanon is uncomfortable with Hezbollah's power. Hezbollah is a structure that has a very serious response and receives great support from the public, not only with its religious dimension but also with its political and organizational dimensions."

When asked how Hezbollah would be received within Lebanon after Nasrallah's death, Doster replied, "We need to wait a while to answer the question of whether its effectiveness in Lebanon's domestic politics will continue as it was before, or if it will decrease slightly."

'IRAN WORRIES POLITICAL ELITES IN THE REGION'

Speaking about the claim by Reuters that "Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei has been moved to a safe place," Doster stated that the decision in question was appropriate and said the following:

"Iran taking a precaution after Nasrallah's assassination by moving Khamenei from his residence to a safe place and trying to protect him is a measure taken by Iran. Every state does this. When we look at it from one side, it is an indicator of how Israel spreads fear in the region, including Iran. It is an indicator of how it worries and alarms the political-bureaucratic elites and intelligence organizations in the region. This is what should be focused on.

Former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed. I don't think it was an accident. Before Nasrallah was killed, Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the capital of Iran, Tehran, in the most protected and monitored guest house of the Revolutionary Guards. For Iran, which has experienced these, to take the number one name of the religious and political authority from his residence to an unknown and safer place immediately after Nasrallah's assassination is not paranoia, but a precaution."

News Source: Semih Demirhan