Changing Actors and Leadership among the Shiites of Lebanon

Scarcely three years ago there was little scholarly or policy interest in the Shiite community of Lebanon. Long irrelevant politically within Lebanon, the Shiites languished under the firm control of traditional leaders who were not seriously challenged until the 1960s. By the mid-1960s, however, the Shiites were becoming politicized. The most important role in mobilizing them was played by a charismatic Iranian cleric of Lebanese descent, Sayyid Musa al-Sadr. His efforts were disrupted by the war of 1975-76, and it was not until 1978 that the movement he started enjoyed a revival, in part because of his mysterious disappearance. By the eve of the Israeli invasion of 1982, al-Sadr's organization, Amal, was the most important political grouping among the Shiites. However, since the events of 1982, the Amal movement—an essentially moderate formation—has been challenged by a number of more extreme organizations, including Hezbollah, which seeks an Islamic solution to the plight of the Shiites. As of mid-1985, Amal was arguably the leading Shiite organization, but the ravages of further frustration and radicalization may shift the balance of power.