Even though we don’t have enough data to look at, I know Hezbo|lah has grown more popular since October 8. I believe a lot of it has been exaggerated and manufactured through relentless propaganda-yet, the impact is there.

I see friends and allies who are reluctant to speak up and want to avoid facing backlash. On the other hand, I see figures who once symbolized October 17 becoming rigorous defenders of October 8.

The good news? All of this doesn’t matter. The war will not last forever, nor will the fuel for their popularity-fear and chaos. Hezbllah will go back to being the Hezbllah we all know, not “defenders” at the border but an inward-turning militia defending its power on the streets of Beirut in black shirts.

We will see the narrative shifting against them once more. The bad news? Again, all of this won’t matter. Hezb|lah will be very quick to cash in on its newfound legitimacy because it doesn’t operate on public support and approval ratings-it survives through suppressing opposition and using violence. We will see more of that in the immediate days after the end of the war, right after they claim an ambiguously undefined victory.

We could all march down the streets of Beirut and chant against them once again like we did on August 8, yet their hold on power will barely be affected. So long as they control our security and have the ability to start wars or assassinate threats on demand, they will continue to rule this country, and whatever you and I think of them won’t matter.

But what does matter, to me, at the very least for now, is preserving the integrity of our narrative. The truth matters.
Keeping the flame for Lebanon alive despite Hezb*llah, and in spite of it when necessary, matters.
Reliving August 4 yesterday, the passion mixed with anger and sadness on the streets recharged me. Seeing those who can’t be silenced-so many people who still refuse to accept or normalize this alien group-that’s what empowers me. I hope it can reach you, too.

Preserve the narrative.