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Richard Stiennon

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History in the making. Mideast transformed by fiber network.

By stiennon on Thu, 05/22/08 - 6:24pm.

History in the making. A network used as a strategic advantage.

As I read about the part a fiber network played in the recent outbreak of violence in Lebanon I realize that this episode is of historic significance. While communications channels have always been of strategic and tactical importance this is the first modern instance I know of where the construction of a network led to direct violence as well as a major shift in the political structure of a country leaving a militant organization, Hezbollah, in a position of greater power. Of course Lawrence of Arabia, come to think of it, helped the Bedouin tribes during WW I in an insurgency against the Attaturk in part by cutting telegraph lines connecting the region.

Chris Soghoian spells it out in his blog where he coins the term fiber warfare. Hezbollah has built a network connecting Southern Lebanon with Syria and has declared it untouchable. The WSJ today quoted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah:

Calling the system Hezbollah's "No. 1 weapon," the black-turbaned leader declared that "it is forbidden to touch [anything] linked to the networks, whether an engineer, a company or a mayor. Touching them is like touching me."

(For some reason Google has not indexed the article. There is a pirated version here. )

So, when the government of Lebanon realized just how important the network was they ordered it destroyed which led to an immediate backlash. Hezbollah instigated violence that led to the deaths of 67 people. The government rescinded their demands and now has struck a deal with Hezbollah granting them a two thirds majority in the government. Who says violence is not effective?

I think it bears noting just how important network communications are to an insurgency. Also, if militant groups, assisted by Iran, are growing their network expertise it does not bode well for the future when it starts to dawn on them that they could do much more to hurt their enemies by attacking their networks than by attacking their office buildings.