How did Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2005 impact Hezbollah's power and position?

Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2005, following the assassination of Lebanon's Prime Minister and subsequent mass protests, created a significant power vacuum that Hezbollah successfully exploited. Despite initially being disgraced and having their legitimacy questioned when their connection to Syria and Iran became more apparent, Hezbollah managed to turn this political shift to their advantage. The Syrian occupation had maintained relative stability in Lebanon for 28 years, but their departure allowed Hezbollah to expand their territorial control and increase their military operations, particularly attacks across the border. This strategic opportunism enabled Hezbollah to transform from a militia primarily focused on resistance against foreign interference into a more dominant political and military force within Lebanon's fragmented power structure.