Hezbollah is an Interesting Case Study - A Book Review

We all know Hezbollah had hijacked Lebanon and sent rockets by the 1,000s into Israel. Still, even after all this chaos, for some reason it has the power to unite huge numbers of people waving yellow flags, banners, and shirts marching by the 10s of thousands in the streets. Obviously, they understand the power of publicity and public relations. Indeed, that might be an understatement. In fact, Hezbollah is known for paying homeowners in $100 US Dollars whose homes were hit by Israeli forces after, Hezbollah actually started the war.

Unfortunately, these $100 bills are counterfeit, one can only guess it is the thought the counted? To better understand their methods, use of the media, and personal relations with the media, you have to go and visit them to really see what is going on. Perhaps, for this reason and realizing I have no desire to meet these folks; I’d like to recommend a very good book to you on this topic, one which has all sorts of interesting insight into the culture and conflict in the Middle East;

“The Media Relations Department of Hizbollah Wishes You a Happy Birthday,” by Neil MacFarquhar; Public Affairs Publishing; 2009; ISBN-13: 978-1586486358

Neil has been a Middle Eastern foreign correspondence his entire career and he speaks the language quite well. He gives us a very good over view of the conflicts between Hamas, Hizbollah and the Israelis. He also has some good insight leading all the way back to the Iranian Revolution as well. The book is very interesting, and at times rather hilarious as to all the insanity. Such as his explaining of the Iranian dog Fatwas.

His experiences in Libya are also completely interesting and his time in Libya, and his stories are cool, even though in telling them he is never allowed to return, barred for life, which he said is rather upsetting, but he doesn’t care to ever go back, it’s just that he felt that was rather mean-spirited.

I completely enjoyed the book, but a few things bothered me such as the Muslim saying; “beat your wife every day, if you don’t know why, she does.” I recommend you read this book, and hold judgment as to what you think of the cultures and real issues of the region until you do so. Please consider all this.

Hezbollah is an Interesting Case Study - A Book Review