Hassan Nasrallah vs Riek Machar

Nasrallah was elected Secretary-General of Hezbollah in February 1992 after the assassination of Abbas al-Musawi by Israel. At age 32, he became the leader of the Shia militant group, overseeing its transformation into a major political and military force.

Nasrallah led Hezbollah during the 34-day war with Israel in July-August 2006, triggered by a Hezbollah cross-border raid. The conflict ended with a UN-brokered ceasefire, and Hezbollah claimed a 'divine victory' despite significant destruction in Lebanon.

Nasrallah accused Israel of assassinating Hezbollah military commander Imad Mughniyeh in Damascus in February 2008. He vowed retaliation, leading to increased tensions and a period of heightened conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border.

Nasrallah publicly committed Hezbollah fighters to support the Syrian government in the Syrian Civil War in May 2013. Hezbollah's intervention was crucial in battles like Qusayr, helping to turn the tide in favor of Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Under Nasrallah's leadership, Hezbollah and its allies won the 2018 Lebanese parliamentary elections, securing a majority. This solidified Hezbollah's political dominance, allowing it to influence government formation and policy despite international sanctions.

Riek Machar was appointed Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. He served alongside President Salva Kiir in the lead-up to independence.

After being accused of plotting a coup, Riek Machar fled to the bush and formed the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). He led a rebellion against President Salva Kiir's government, sparking the South Sudanese Civil War.

Riek Machar returned to Juba and was sworn in as First Vice President of South Sudan as part of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. The unity government aimed to end the civil war, but implementation remained fragile.