8/14/2006 Hezbollah Controlled Suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon.A young Hezbollah supporter stands by a planted flag on top of his destroyed apartment building in the Hezbollah controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, after the UN brokered cease-fire between Israeli and Hezbollah forces went into effect hours earlier. Credit: Bryan Denton

12/27/2006 Beirut, Lebanon.A winter storm batters the corniche in the opening month of Hezbollah’s civil disobedience campaign designed to topple the Western-backed Saniora government. Credit: Bryan Denton

8/26/2008 Nabatye, Lebanon.A Lebanese Hezbollah supporter photographs his sons, both dressed in military fatigues next to a Hezbollah rocket launcher at an exhibit held to honor assassinated senior Hezbollah commander, Imad Mughnieh, in Nabatye, Tuesday…

8/30/2008 Ryak, Lebanon.A Young member of Hezbollah’s Mahdi Scouts marches single file into a sports arena passed a large backdrop of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah receiving gifts from Scouts (pictured in background) at “Scout City” to participate in a graduation ceremony for fellow Mahdi Scouts, in Lebanon’s Beka’a valley…The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts are one of Hezbollah’s many social programs in Lebanon. Originally founded in 1985, the youth-centered scout program includes both boys and girls, and counts at least 40,000 members in it’s ranks, divided into the classifications of Cub, Scout, and Ranger. Although the Mahdi Scouts are part of the Lebanese Scouting Federation, and thereby The World Organization of the Scout Movement, it is believed by some intelligence services that the Mahdi Scouts serve as a recruiting tool for Hezbollah’s armed wing, filtering out potential fighters based on their discipline and religious devotion, as well as initiating the male Scouts and Rangers into basic military training. In contrast to these accusations, much of the Mahdi Scouts visible activities center around intense religious education, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, performances, as well as community based social assistance and service similar to those practiced by scout movements around the world. Credit: Bryan Denton

10/16/2008 Nabatyeh, Lebanon.Hezbollah Sheikh Mohammad Qanso (L) talks to a boy who attends religious classes at his Mosque…The Hajj Ali family live in a comfortable house overlooking the hills surrounding Nabatyeh. Their bakery, which provides Ka’ak and other breads for bakeries in Nabatyeh, sits underneath the home in their building. Both were destroyed during the 2006 war by an Israeli bomb dropped from the air, and were rebuilt with assistance and money from Hezbollah’s social services programs. Credit: Bryan Denton

9/23/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.A young Hezbollah supporter reads the Kor’an and prays at a “Laylat al-Qadr” or “The Night of Destiny” ceremony held in a Hezbollah convention center in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Tuesday…Shi’ite supporters of the Hezbollah gathered on Tuesday, September 23 at the Mujama’ Sayyed Shuhada–a large hall maintained by the Lebanese Shi’ite movement–to mark “Laylat al-Qadr” or the Night of Destiny, when it is said that the Prophet Mohammad wrote the Kor’an as it was dictated to him by the Angel Gabriel. Thousands of men and women gathered together, under banners carrying slogans in support of Hezbollah, praying and reading the Kor’an together until the early hours of the morning. Youth between the ages of 13-25 far outnumbered those of older generations, often times standing and passionately reading from their Kor’ans. Credit: Bryan Denton

8/30/2008 Ryak, Lebanon.Graduating members of Hezbollah’s Mahdi Scouts march in formation at a ceremony held in their honor at “Scout City” –a large recreation facility for Scout programs in Lebanon’s Beka’a valley. ..The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts are one of Hezbollah’s many social programs in Lebanon. Originally founded in 1985, the youth-centered scout program includes both boys and girls, and counts at least 40,000 members in it’s ranks, divided into the classifications of Cub, Scout, and Ranger. Although the Mahdi Scouts are part of the Lebanese Scouting Federation, and thereby The World Organization of the Scout Movement, it is believed by some intelligence services that the Mahdi Scouts serve as a recruiting tool for Hezbollah’s armed wing, filtering out potential fighters based on their discipline and religious devotion, as well as initiating the male Scouts and Rangers into basic military training. In contrast to these accusations, much of the Mahdi Scouts visible activities center around intense religious education, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, performances, as well as community based social assistance and service similar to those practiced by scout movements around the world. Credit: Bryan Denton

8/29/2008 Tyr Filsay, Lebanon.An arrow that points towards an Israeli Star of David, denoting the path of the Hezbollah organization, as described by a young Imam al-Mahdi Scout at a camp on the Litani River in South Lebanon…The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts are one of Hezbollah’s many social programs in Lebanon. Originally founded in 1985, the youth-centered scout program includes both boys and girls, and counts at least 40,000 members in it’s ranks, divided into the classifications of Cub, Scout, and Ranger. Although the Mahdi Scouts are part of the Lebanese Scouting Federation, and thereby The World Organization of the Scout Movement, it is believed by some intelligence services that the Mahdi Scouts serve as a recruiting tool for Hezbollah’s armed wing, filtering out potential fighters based on their discipline and religious devotion, as well as initiating the male Scouts and Rangers into basic military training. In contrast to these accusations, much of the Mahdi Scouts visible activities center around intense religious education, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, performances, as well as community based social assistance and service similar to those practiced by scout movements around the world. Credit: Bryan Denton

8/29/2008 Tyr Filsay, Lebanon.An arrow that points towards an Israeli Star of David, denoting the path of the Hezbollah organization, as described by a young Imam al-Mahdi Scout at a camp on the Litani River in South Lebanon…The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts are one of Hezbollah’s many social programs in Lebanon. Originally founded in 1985, the youth-centered scout program includes both boys and girls, and counts at least 40,000 members in it’s ranks, divided into the classifications of Cub, Scout, and Ranger. Although the Mahdi Scouts are part of the Lebanese Scouting Federation, and thereby The World Organization of the Scout Movement, it is believed by some intelligence services that the Mahdi Scouts serve as a recruiting tool for Hezbollah’s armed wing, filtering out potential fighters based on their discipline and religious devotion, as well as initiating the male Scouts and Rangers into basic military training. In contrast to these accusations, much of the Mahdi Scouts visible activities center around intense religious education, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, performances, as well as community based social assistance and service similar to those practiced by scout movements around the world. Credit: Bryan Denton.

7/31/2006 Beirut, Lebanon.A poster of US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, portraying her with vampires teeth and decrying her refusal to condemn the Israeli war against Hezbollah, flies in downtown Beirut. Credit: Bryan Denton

12/02/2007 El-Khiam, Lebanon.A teenage Mahdi Scout walks past a drawing of a tank with Lebanese flags that hangs on the wall in the groups youth center in el-Khiam, Lebanon…The Mahdi Scouts are a Hezbollah sponsored youth group similar to other boy-scout programs around the world. The Scouts, who wear uniforms depending on their rank, include boys and girls between the ages of 4-16, and they participate in a variety of youth activities including performances and Charity work. While Hezbollah denies a direct link between the Mahdi Scouts and it’s armed militia, it is commonly believed the smartest and best of the young men in the organization are groomed to become Hezbollah fighters. Weekend activities include parades, performaces by costumed characters to the speeches of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and planting of trees in the community by adolescent Scouts. Credit: Bryan Denton.

8/26/2008 Nabatye, Lebanon.A young Lebanese boy looks at captured Israeli weaponry and clothing in a display case, at the “Al-Imad: The Leader of the Two Victores” exhibit in Nabatye, Tuesday…Hezbollah opened an exhibit in Nabatye, Lebanon this August titled “Al-Imad: The Leader of the Two Victories” in conjunction with the second anniversary of the 2006 July war, which they refer to as their “divine victory.” In the exhibit, heavy tribute was paid to Imad Mughnieh, a senior commander of Hezbollah’s military wing who was assassinated in Damascus in February. Hezbollah blames Israel for the assassination and has vowed to avenge his death. The exhibit features Israeli weaponry, both captured and destroyed during Hezbollah’s fight against Israeli occupation of the south, which ended in 2000, after an Israeli pullout, as well as tanks and munitions caputured during the 2006 July War. Credit: Bryan Denton.

8/30/2008 Ryak, Lebanon.Young members of Hezbollah’s Mahdi Scouts watch as dignitaries, including Nazil Fatih, an official in charge of the entire Mahdi Scout program, at “Scout City” in Lebanon’s Beka’a valley, make speeches praising the youth organization and the “Resistance” (Hezbollah), at a Mahdi Scout Graduation ceremony…The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts are one of Hezbollah’s many social programs in Lebanon. Originally founded in 1985, the youth-centered scout program includes both boys and girls, and counts at least 40,000 members in it’s ranks, divided into the classifications of Cub, Scout, and Ranger. Although the Mahdi Scouts are part of the Lebanese Scouting Federation, and thereby The World Organization of the Scout Movement, it is believed by some intelligence services that the Mahdi Scouts serve as a recruiting tool for Hezbollah’s armed wing, filtering out potential fighters based on their discipline and religious devotion, as well as initiating the male Scouts and Rangers into basic military training. In contrast to these accusations, much of the Mahdi Scouts visible activities center around intense religious education, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, performances, as well as community based social assistance and service similar to those practiced by scout movements around the world. Credit: Bryan Denton.

Uncaptioned. Credit: Bryan Denton

1/23/2007 Beirut, Lebanon.A young Amal movement (opposition) supporter rushes, batton in hand, towards pro-government March 14 forces as clashes erupted between the two groups in Corniche al-Mazraa…Hezbollah and its allies escalated their protests against the Siniora government Tuesday, burning tires, cars, and clashing with pro-government demonstrators across Lebanon as they blocked traffic and cut main roads throughout the country. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, scheduled to leave Beirut for the Paris III donors conference was unable to depart…Hezbollah and its allies escalated their protests against the Siniora government Tuesday, burning tires, cars, and clashing with pro-government demonstrators across Lebanon as they blocked traffic and cut main roads throughout the country. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, scheduled to leave Beirut for the Paris III donors conference was unable to depart. Credit: Bryan Denton.

5/8/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.Opposition-allied Amal Movement militiamen take cover behind a shop on the front line of Corniche al-Mazraa, where heavy gunbattles broke out between Sunni and Shi’ite rival groups…The Hezbollah-led opposition continued it’s protest of recent decisions by the March 14 government regarding Hezbollah’s private telecoms network, and the placement of Hezbollah monitored security cameras near the Beirut Airport, Thursday. Violent street clashes erupted later in the day after Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nassrallah gave a press conference in which he called the recent actions of the government a “declaration of war.” At least 7 people were killed and more than 10 injured in the heavy gunbattles between Sunni and Shi’ite neighborhoods, which began once he finished speaking, and included heavy machine guns as well as rocket propelled grenades…

5/8/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.Opposition-allied Amal gunmen prepare to move into position as clashes break out on the Corniche al-Mazraa between Shi’ite Amal militiamen and Future Movement (Mustaqbal) militiamen…The Hezbollah-led opposition continued it’s protest of recent decisions by the March 14 government regarding Hezbollah’s private telecoms network, and the placement of Hezbollah monitored security cameras near the Beirut Airport, Thursday. Violent street clashes erupted later in the day after Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nassrallah gave a press conference in which he called the recent actions of the government a “declaration of war.” At least 7 people were killed and more than 10 injured in the heavy gunbattles between Sunni and Shi’ite neighborhoods, which began once he finished speaking, and included heavy machine guns as well as rocket propelled grenades. Credit: Bryan Denton.

5/8/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.An Opposition-allied Amal Movement Militiaman fires at targets across the Corniche al-Mazraa as heavy clashes took place between rival Sunni and Shi’ite groups…The Hezbollah-led opposition continued it’s protest of recent decisions by the March 14 government regarding Hezbollah’s private telecoms network, and the placement of Hezbollah monitored security cameras near the Beirut Airport, Thursday. Violent street clashes erupted later in the day after Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nassrallah gave a press conference in which he called the recent actions of the government a “declaration of war.” At least 7 people were killed and more than 10 injured in the heavy gunbattles between Sunni and Shi’ite neighborhoods, which began once he finished speaking, and included heavy machine guns as well as rocket propelled grenades. Credit: Bryan Denton.

5/7/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.Shi’ite youth burn cars and tires at the Chatilla Roundabout on Beirut’s airport road…A Labor strike led by Hezbollah and the opposition descended into violence, Wednesday, after youth began burning cars and tires, closing Lebanon’s only airport, and halting traffic around the capital. Gunfire and explosions erupted in the Corniche al-Mazraa and Ras al-Nebah areas in the afternoon, as sectarian clashes between rival, confessional political parties broke out. The Lebanese Army responded but remained outside in order to prevent the fighting from spreading. At least five journalists were hurt according to reports, and an unknown number of civilians. Credit: Bryan Denton.

5/7/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.A anti-western youth sits on top of a burm blocking the airport road at the Chatilla Square in Beirut. ..A Labor strike led by Hezbollah and the opposition descended into violence, Wednesday, after youth began burning cars and tires, closing Lebanon’s only airport, and halting traffic around the capital. Gunfire and explosions erupted in the Corniche al-Mazraa and Ras al-Nebah areas in the afternoon, as sectarian clashes between rival, confessional political parties broke out. The Lebanese Army responded but remained outside in order to prevent the fighting from spreading. At least five journalists were hurt according to reports, and an unknown number of civilians. Credit: Bryan Denton

5/12/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.Blood and bullet holes cover the wall of a garage in the Shwayfat district where, according to witnesses interviewed by the AFP, Druze militiamen fighting for Walid Jumblatt’s March 14 allied Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) were executed during clashes yesterday by Hezbollah-led opposition forces. Sundays battles witnessed a dramatic escalation in the fighting in Lebanon, with heavy weapons, including recoiless rifles, and large caliber anti-aircraft guns being used against civilian populated areas by both sides. At least 36 people are reported to have been killed in Sundays fighting, bringing the death tole for the last week to over 80…

5/7/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.Burning tires and dirt block the highway to Beirut’s Airport, Wednesday…A Labor strike led by Hezbollah and the opposition descended into violence, Wednesday, after youth began burning cars and tires, closing Lebanon’s only airport, and halting traffic around the capital. Gunfire and explosions erupted in the Corniche al-Mazraa and Ras al-Nebah areas in the afternoon, as sectarian clashes between rival, confessional political parties broke out. The Lebanese Army responded but remained outside in order to prevent the fighting from spreading. At least five journalists were hurt according to reports, and an unknown number of civilians. Credit: Bryan Denton.

1/26/2007 Beirut, Lebanon.Relatives and friends burry the body of Adnan Shamas, a young Shi’ite opposition member who was killed yesterday in clashes between pro-government and opposition loyalists near the Arab University in Beirut. ..The residents of Tariq Jadida (predominantly Sunni) and surrounding areas (predominantly Shi’ite) surveyed the damage Friday, after massive clashes broke out yesterday after a fight broke out at the Arab Univeristy nearby. At least four people were killed an many injured after a fight at Beirut’s Arab University escalated into clashes between pro government loyalists and anti-government opposition members, Thursday. Credit: Bryan Denton.

10/01/2008 Nabatyeh, Lebanon. Credit: Bryan Denton.

2/14/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.A Hezbollah militant honor guard carries the coffin of slain Hezbollah commander Imad Moughnieh through Beirut’s Hezbollah controled southern suburbs, Thursday..Hezbollah supporters laid to rest Imad Moughnieh, one of the highest ranking Hezbollah officials, and an individual believed to be behind numerous attacks against western targets in Lebanon and abroad. Moughnieh was assassinated Tuesday in an explosion in an upscale neighborhood of Damascus, Syria. While Israel denied any involvement in the assassination, the United States praised the death of Moughnieh, saying that the world was now a better place. Credit: Bryan Denton.

2/14/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.A Hezbollah militant honor guard carries the coffin of slain Hezbollah commander Imad Moughnieh through Beirut’s Hezbollah controled southern suburbs, Thursday..Hezbollah supporters laid to rest Imad Moughnieh, one of the highest ranking Hezbollah officials, and an individual believed to be behind numerous attacks against western targets in Lebanon and abroad. Moughnieh was assassinated Tuesday in an explosion in an upscale neighborhood of Damascus, Syria. While Israel denied any involvement in the assassination, the United States praised the death of Moughnieh, saying that the world was now a better place. Credit: Bryan Denton.

Uncaptioned. Credit: Bryan Denton

8/30/2008 Ryak, Lebanon.An honor guard bearing the Mahdi Scout flag stands at attention at a Mahdi Scout Graduation ceremony at “Scout City” in Lebanon’s Beka’a valley…The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts are one of Hezbollah’s many social programs in Lebanon. Originally founded in 1985, the youth-centered scout program includes both boys and girls, and counts at least 40,000 members in it’s ranks, divided into the classifications of Cub, Scout, and Ranger. Although the Mahdi Scouts are part of the Lebanese Scouting Federation, and thereby The World Organization of the Scout Movement, it is believed by some intelligence services that the Mahdi Scouts serve as a recruiting tool for Hezbollah’s armed wing, filtering out potential fighters based on their discipline and religious devotion, as well as initiating the male Scouts and Rangers into basic military training. In contrast to these accusations, much of the Mahdi Scouts visible activities center around intense religious education, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, performances, as well as community based social assistance and service similar to those practiced by scout movements around the world. Credit: Bryan Denton.

9/23/2008 Beirut, Lebanon.A devout young Hezbollah supporter reads the Kor’an and prays at a “Laylat al-Qadr” ceremony held in the Hezbollah controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, Tuesday…Shi’ite supporters of the Hezbollah gathered on Tuesday, September 23 at the Mujama’ Sayyed Shuhada–a large hall maintained by the Lebanese Shi’ite movement–to mark “Laylat al-Qadr” or the Night of Destiny, when it is said that the Prophet Mohammad wrote the Kor’an as it was dictated to him by the Angel Gabriel. Thousands of men and women gathered together, under banners carrying slogans in support of Hezbollah, praying and reading the Kor’an together until the early hours of the morning. Youth between the ages of 13-25 far outnumbered those of older generations, often times standing and passionately reading from their Kor’ans. Credit: Bryan Denton.

8/26/2008 Nabatye, Lebanon.Families attend the “Al-Imad: The Leader of the Two Victories” exhibition in Nabatye, Tuesday, walking amongst destroyed Israeli tanks. Assassinated senior Hezbollah commander Imad Mughnieh is pictured on the backdrop in the background…Hezbollah opened an exhibit in Nabatye, Lebanon this August titled “Al-Imad: The Leader of the Two Victories” in conjunction with the second anniversary of the 2006 July war, which they refer to as their “divine victory.” In the exhibit, heavy tribute was paid to Imad Mughnieh, a senior commander of Hezbollah’s military wing who was assassinated in Damascus in February. Hezbollah blames Israel for the assassination and has vowed to avenge his death. The exhibit features Israeli weaponry, both captured and destroyed during Hezbollah’s fight against Israeli occupation of the south, which ended in 2000, after an Israeli pullout, as well as tanks and munitions caputured during the 2006 July War. Credit: Bryan Denton.

1/10/2007.Young supporters of the Hezbollah-led opposition pose for photographs outside the Ministry of Power (electricity) as “phase 2″ of the oppositions protests entered it’s second day…The Hezbollah-led opposition continued “phase 2″ of it’s protests against the western-backed Saniora government Wednesday, with several hundred protesters, many of them high school students skipping school, demonstrating in front of the Ministry of Power (electricity) in Beirut. Lebanese soldiers donned riot gear and protesters briefly attempted to approach the ministry, at which point they were restrained by event security. Credit: Bryan Denton.

12/02/2007 El-Khiam, Lebanon.Ali, 13 (R), and Mohamad, 11 (L), both Mahdi Scouts, photographed at the groups el-Khiam chapter, Sunday…The Mahdi Scouts are a Hezbollah sponsored youth group similar to other boy-scout programs around the world. The Scouts, who wear uniforms depending on their rank, include boys and girls between the ages of 4-16, and they participate in a variety of youth activities including performances and Charity work. While Hezbollah denies a direct link between the Mahdi Scouts and it’s armed militia, it is commonly believed the smartest and best of the young men in the organization are groomed to become Hezbollah fighters. Weekend activities include parades, performaces by costumed characters to the speeches of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and planting of trees in the community by adolescent Scouts. Credit: Bryan Denton.

12/02/2007 El-Khiam, Lebanon.A Mahdi Scout group leader hands out Lebanese flags to junior members of the youth organization at a weekend activities session in el-Khiam, Lebaonon…The Mahdi Scouts are a Hezbollah sponsored youth group similar to other boy-scout programs around the world. The Scouts, who wear uniforms depending on their rank, include boys and girls between the ages of 4-16, and they participate in a variety of youth activities including performances and Charity work. While Hezbollah denies a direct link between the Mahdi Scouts and it’s armed militia, it is commonly believed the smartest and best of the young men in the organization are groomed to become Hezbollah fighters. Weekend activities include parades, performaces by costumed characters to the speeches of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and planting of trees in the community by adolescent Scouts. Credit: Bryan Denton.

1/10/2007 Beirut, Lebanon.A young Hezbollah supporter takes a break from demonstrations to pray during civil unrest in the Lebanese capital in January, 2007. Credit: Bryan Denton.

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