Research Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, Sebastian Maier writes a commentary titled: “Calm before the storm? Hezbollah solidifies its foothold along the Lebanese-Syrian border.” Published on the 1^st of May, 2016.

Maier begins by citing the satellite imagery acquired by DigitalGlobe in early April 2016, which was confirmed by the global intelligence company Stratfor. The imagery Maier writes, “appeared to confirm a buildup of military fortifications, including artillery caches and defense positions, erected by Hezbollah in al-Qusayr district, in close vicinity to the Lebanese-Syrian border.”   He argues “with this latest move, Hezbollah has sent an unequivocal message that provides a glimpse into what the Lebanese Shi’ite movement is up to in Syria in the long haul: it is there to stay.”

He concludes by asserting  that “Hezbollah’s rekindled, yet dangerously more assertive role in Syria could likely backfire and tarnish its support among its loyal and at times even bipartisan domestic constituency, for which, after all, it is by and large an allegiant welfare provider and political representative.”