Ninety-six (96) local, regional, and international organizations and entities (prime actors) were identified by their peers as influential in the life of Syria. In the chart below, the left column ranks the prime actors from most influential in shaping the life in Syria (Russia) to the least influential (Relief International).

The chart also shows the classification of prime actors into five stances indicating the actor's support and contribution to inclusive nationalism for Syria, starting from the most committed (Core) to the least committed (Saboteur).

Amount of influence of Hezbollah in the life of Syria, and its commitment to inclusive nationalism for Syria.

25 prime actors participated in the following:

  • Determining the rank of Hezbollah according to the amount of its influence on life in Syria. As shown in the chart below, Hezbollah ranked 6th most influential prime actor.
  • Assessing and classifying Hezbollah according to its commitment to inclusive nationalism for Syria (also indicated in the same row by the colored rectangle). Of the 25 prime actors who participated in the assessments, more agreed that Hezbollah falls under the category of 'Saboteur'. A prime actor assessed as Saboteur is seen as working against a sovereign, stable, inclusive, and developing Syria.
Syria R3 PA Hezbollah x.jpg

In response to the question, “How is Hezbollah important in the life of Syria?” 

Round 3 participants stated (Nov. 2016 - Jul. 2017):

"They are a well-armed fighting force supporting Assad when the Syrian Army was depleted. They had prior history working together. They are backed by Iran. They are anti-Sunni.” (239312)

"They are a formidable, well-trained militia supported by Iran. They prevented the collapse of the Assad regime. They fight based on ideology, sectarianism, and blind hate.” (236592)

"They've played a significant role in keeping the Assad regime in power and armed.” (233121)

"Hezbollah is criminal.” (230713)

"They are the prime foreign militia supporting the regime. This conflict is existential to them. They are an Iranian-implemented force on the ground.(233911)

"They are armed by Iran. They are as dangerous as IS and al-Qaeda. They are fighting for their own interests, defending the regime. They have committed massacres against the Syrians.” (233881)

"Iran sent them to Syria.” (234281) 


Round 2 participants stated (Aug. 2016 - Oct. 2017):

“Hezbollah is one of the most important players. They are strong because the regime is there. They support the regime because it's in their best interest.” (221641)

“They do all the massacres of the Syrian people. They are a terrorist organization.” (220291)

“They earned the respect of Syria before the revolution because of the war with Israel. It dropped when they interfered with Syria.” (221641)

“They are important for their amount of fighters and the sectarian line they maintain.” (223911)

“They are the same as the IRGC. They are most interested in western suburbs of Damascus.” (221951)

“Hezbollah supports Assad. Without them the government would have failed. The war would have ended within 3 years. There would be a democratic government in Syria today. They were made to support Assad, not to fight Israel.” (221211)


Round 1 participants stated (Jan. 2016 - May 2016):

“They would fail if not for Iran's support.” (214281)