Executive Summary

Naim Qassem on 29 October assumed the role of Secretary General of Hezbollah, following the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah. His leadership may mark an evolution in Hezbollah’s approach, with a stronger focus on intellectual and socio-political strategies to gather support, while military campaigns continue. Qassem has affirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to armed resistance and fighting, although his lack of a military background distinguishes him from his predecessor. His appointment arrives at a crucial time in Hezbollah’s history, marked by violence escalating with Israel, increasing domestic economic challenges in Lebanon, and increased attention from the international community. 

Images Sourced From – Hamed Malekpour, Al-Manar, Antoine Brimbal (The Modern Insurgent)

Profile

Born in 1953 in southern Lebanon, Naim Qassem was educated as part of a mostly Shia Muslim community. He has pursued higher education, graduating in Chemistry at Beirut’s Lebanese University before becoming a teacher of the subject. His ideological trajectory was heavily influenced by Lebanon’s civil war and the Iranian Revolution, which happened during his formative years. He was a co-founder of Hezbollah in 1982, despite being previously a supporter of the Amal Movement. 

Qassem has held various Hezbollah positions. Most relevantly, prior to his current office, he was Deputy Secretary-General since 1991, first under Al Musawi and later Nasrallah. He was a crucial player in shaping the social services provided by Hezbollah, solidifying its support among the Shia population of Lebanon. Furthermore, he has managed parliamentary and governmental affairs, strengthening Hezbollah’s presence in Lebanese national politics. His work Hezbollah: The Story from Within is considered to be a milestone of the organization’s ideological foundation. 

He now inherits an organization that has been profoundly affected by Israel’s military campaign. The death of Hezbollah’s leadership members, such as Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Saffiedine, has further isolated the group from domestic politics. Furthermore, organizational concerns persist, as episodes such as the Israeli-tampered IED pagers have shown Hezbollah’s vulnerability. [source; source; source]