Dominant figure in the Middle East
Expert: Nasrallah, possible successor to Khamenei, dies
September 28, 2024, 1:54 p.m
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With the death of Hassan Nasrallah, not only Hezbollah has lost its leader. Nasrallah was also one of the central figures of the so-called axis of resistance against Israel – with perspectives on its future intellectual leadership.
Middle East expert Jannis Julien Grimm from the Free University of Berlin has highlighted the significance of the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. “Nasrallah’s death is a massive blow by the Israelis against Hezbollah with effects far beyond Lebanon,” said conflict researcher ntv.de.
His elimination would have consequences, especially for the power structure in Iran, but also in the entire region: “Nasrallah was one of the dominant public figures in the entire Middle East and a point of identification for many – both as an enemy and for alliances,” explained Grimm. Nasrallah has increasingly assumed a leadership position over the last few years within the so-called Axis of Resistance, the Iranian-led alliance of Houthis, Iraqi militias, Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Hezbollah was seen as the only force that opposed Israel, which made Nasrallah particularly relevant within the alliance.
According to Grimm, the Lebanese militia chief died as a possible spiritual successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the alliance. Had the elderly Khamenei resigned or died, “the spiritual leadership of the ‘Axis of Resistance’ could have fallen into Nasrallah’s lap, since there are no other charismatic figures in Iran who could take on this role.”
Grimm sees Hezbollah as a whole at least temporarily weakened by Israel’s air strikes in the past few days. “Militarily, Hezbollah is currently not as capable of acting as it was in the past,” he told ntv.de. Nasrallah only gave the ultimate command over the level of escalation. “The specific operations were carried out by Hezbollah cadres, many of whom were killed by Israeli air strikes in recent weeks.” However, sooner or later, according to Grimm, others would move up. “Hezbollah has no shortage of young talent.”
Israel announced this morning that 64-year-old Nasrallah had also been killed in an air strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut. Hezbollah confirmed his death in the afternoon and said “the fight continues.”
