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Decoding Nasrallah’s messages on Lebanon and Syria

In his latest interview, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah seemed to adopt a more measured tone toward Israel when compared with his previous speeches.

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Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah gestures as he addresses his supporters via screen during the last day of Ashura, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 20, 2018. — REUTERS/Aziz Taher

After an absence of 77 days from the public eye since Nov. 10, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah had a three-hour interview Jan. 26 with al-Mayadeen TV. Decoding his messages might be key to understanding how Hezbollah will deal with major challenges ahead, most notably tensions on the southern border with Israel and its military intervention in Syria.

In a relatively subdued tone, Nasrallah had a measured posture, evading a direct provocation of Israel, overly accommodating Lebanese politicians and acting as a political commentator on Syria instead of being assertive, as he is known to be.

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