Within the span of a few weeks, Israel has decimated the upper echelon of Lebanese Hezbollah’s command structure, including killing its leader, Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. The longtime head of one of the world’s most comprehensive terrorist organizations met his demise after the Israeli air force dropped dozens of 2,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut. There is little doubt that Hezbollah will now face a significant challenge as it attempts to reconstitute its ranks.

And while many in Israel and the United States are rejoicing, the stark reality is that Hezbollah will eventually emerge from this recent round of fighting severely weakened but capable of rebuilding. After all, Hezbollah is the crown jewel in Iran’s so-called axis of resistance, and just as it did after the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, Tehran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will allocate sufficient resources and training to ensure Hezbollah's survival.

Nasrallah’s likely successor is Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council and member of its Jihad Council, who is also an essential decision-maker in terms of the group’s military operations. Safieddine’s son is married to the daughter of the late Qasem Soleimani, head of the IRGC Quds Force, which further cements the link to Iran. Also instrumental to the group’s revival is Naim Qassem, its deputy secretary-general, who is deeply loyal to Iran.

Tactical success vs. winning strategy