This thesis is composed of eight chapters. Chapter one is an introduction. Chapter two is an overview of the historical background of Hezbolla; second, the Iranian and Syrian factor; third, the party's ideology and structure; and fourth, the party's resistance, hostage taking, and suicide bombings. Chapter three concentrates on the religious ideology and strategy of Hezbollah, with an overview of the Shiites' beliefs. The following three chapters, four, five, six, analyze the efforts Hezbollah put into its political transformation. For that purpose, three points are in focus: the party's ...