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Syrian Fighting Gives Hizbullah New Purpose
(New York Times) Ben Hubbard - While the civil war in Syria remains a grinding battle of attrition, for Hizbullah more than a year of combat has produced a new sense of purpose that extends beyond battling Israel. Although its victories have come at a great cost in lives and resources, it has also earned new battlefield experience. But the fighting has also alienated large segments of the majority Sunni population who once embraced Hizbullah. Some Sunnis now openly refer to the "the party of God" - Hizbullah's name in Arabic - as "the party of Satan." Ely Karmon, a senior researcher at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Israel, said Hizbullah was overextended in Syria and was in a weaker position against Israel because it must continue to dedicate resources until there is a solid victory for Assad. And every man killed there gives Hizbullah one more family to support.