Hizbullah's Spring break

The Lebanese Shia militant Islamist group, Hizbullah, is currently militarily and politically stronger than at any other point in its 30 year history. The party is the silent power behind the government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, allowing it to guide policy and ensure that its core interests - namely its military role and capabilities - remain protected. Meanwhile, Hizbullah's military wing, the Islamic Resistance, has evolved into arguably the most powerful sub-state armed group in the world.

Nevertheless, the group is currently facing some of the sternest challenges since its formation. The anti-government uprising against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which began in March 2011, caught Hizbullah off-guard. Having earlier hailed the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Bahrain, Hizbullah's staunch support for the Assad regime has opened the party to accusations of hypocrisy and eroded its regional popularity.