Shiites

The struggle over the character of the Shiite community in Lebanon has been going on for decades. Senior clerics have presented an alternative to the concept of 'Velayat-e Faqih' (Guardianship of the Jurist), maintained independence from Iran, and opposed Hezbollah. Behind the political dispute lies a deep struggle over the question: who is authorized to speak on behalf of the Shiites in Lebanon?

It operates not through uniform and continuous use of force, but by creating a hierarchy of costs and instilling the knowledge that they may be applied. Its goal is not only to silence existing voices, but to prevent in advance the formation of political, religious, and social centers of authority that could compete with Hezbollah for the right to speak on behalf of the Shiite community.

This is the true test of the agreement: not only whether Hezbollah will be disarmed, but who will fill the void that will be created. Sovereignty does not boil down to waving a flag, deploying soldiers, or words written on a page. The state must provide a roof for the displaced, compensate the families, and establish a dedicated reconstruction authority that will handle the rebuilding of the...