I just picked up Frisk's "the great war of civilization" today, a gripping read. I know so little about western interference in the middle-east, but as an Irish person, it has special appeal to me; it will no doubts be something to reference in college.
2/56 Not that there are many Christians left Thank you for replying to my letter Robert Fisk and for writing Pity the Nation Saddened to learn this September 2024 you passed away at only 74 four years ago Alain Delon passed away last month at 88 while my mother is 96 Hope to share this soon with young 25 year old Wael from Lebanon
Years ago when no one knew much, Robert shone. But, now I wonder. He was here keen to emphasise differences and showing off his Journalistic skills some of which bore no relationship to real life but appealed to the local and European consumption in order to exercise his ego of what he does abroad and glamorises the bits of danger he was in. A bit of Hillary's statement that she was under fire in Bosnia at the airport to advance her ambition into politics when it was found out later that she was no where near the airport when the bombs were exploding. But she hoped that this would advance her career. Robert appears to be doing similar thing here to the less informed media abroad.
I trust Fisk very much. His kind demeanor makes him a very good journalist. People ought to listen to him more often when speaking-out about the Muslim world especially if they think they know the area just because they've read books on it.
He would have been a great journalist if he wasn't so biased against Iran. Unlike other independent journalist...he always has an axe to grind and that is in part due to fact that he is more swayed by main stream journalist. You don't see that with pepe Escobar, Vijay Preshad, Mk Bhadrakumar or others.
Seriously Robert? This shows that after 38 years spent in Lebanon you still know nothing about the country. If someone's name is Ali then he's definitely a Shiite? Where do u get that from? Half of those whose name is Ali are Sunni. IF someone lives in Ramlet el Baydah then he must be Sunni? That's crap, Ramlet el Baydah has a lot of Shiite living in and has become predominantly Shiite. Shiites own most of the luxurious buildings along the shoreline. Shiites and Sunnis rarely intermarry? They have always intermarried and they continue to do so. There was no issues between Shiites and Sunnis before 2005 and no one would even bring up the differences. They always lived in harmony and were married to each others. You still require a lot of educations on Lebanon I'm afraid.
With due respect to my beloved Journalist Robbert Fisk, Mohammad PBUH was NOT illetrate in sense we know it today. the word Umi was mentioned in Quran, Umi does not mean illitrate per se but it mean someone whom was not thought by anyone.. or someone whom did not go to school .. that has its own beauty, as Quran is written in highly charming arabic, almost poetic to Arabs the verses of Quran at that time was enough to bring them to Islam. many Arab would had asked oh this is not the word of Mohammad PBUH himself he learned from that teacher or this teacher.. so that is is why Umi means someone whom did not had teacher because his teacher was God. Infact Prophet Mohammad PBUH known many languages.. when he went to Syria speaking with Syrian Christian in their languages and other people from different tribes were able to communicate with Prophet.
I did wonder about those things. However, I am not sure why you wondered why the Hizbollah guys knew who he was, he was often in southern Lebanon during the war(s) and journalists seemed to know a few of them. Just curious.
Not all Ali s are Shias, women go to mosques. A couple of days and you could learn such things. Journalists don't know Hizbollah fighters in general. What language would he be talking t to them in? Most don't speak English.
Gar Sm I think you only partly understood my question and statement. I actually agreed with you about the other statements. I know Ali's are not all Shias. Women in mosques and intermarriage are also ridiculous statements that he made. I guess I wasn't clear about that. When I said "I did wonder about those things" it was to express doubt at Robert Fisk's bizarre statements and agreement with you. It contradicts things I read about the Middle East, and even Hizbollah (who are Pan-Islamic if I am not mistaken and have a loose alliance with Sunni Hamas) I hope that clears that up. My only question was about Hizbollah. A few journalists would claim to meet up with them from time to time, especially during the war (if their articles and books are to believed), such as Nicholas Branford. I always assumed they knew some Arabic since they lived in the Middle East for so long, or used translators (I think that is what Robert Fisk does). I find it hard to believe they didn't learn some Arabic (even in two years and with little motivation, I still learned some Chinese when I lived in China). I generally like Robert Fisk, but this interview really disappointed me. I have noticed how he dumbs things down and makes overly generalized statements with certain audiences and forums. I was hoping to learn more about Syria from this interview, but his sweeping and inaccurate generalizations really made me distrust him.
Journalists have very limited contacts with Hizbollah. They know the press people and maybe have some contacts over time with certain officials ... (that's inevitable really. Hizbollah doesn't trust them and is careful over its security). ... but the idea that fighters would recognise a western journalist I find very implausible, and of course it's the kind of thing no-one can check. Hizbollah always say they will work with anyone who is against Israel ... but events of recent years have suggested their Shia commitments are stronger. The 'liberation' of Jerusalem they supposedly are committed to will have to wait until Assad and the Iraqi holy sites are secure.
Gar Sm Ah, that is what I wanted to know. Yes, Hizbollah does have a very good press system. I find that sometimes these journalists like to show off a bit. The other thing that is difficult to verify is if they are, indeed, Hizbollah. Journalists often "guess" they are Hizbollah in their articles, and it wouldn't be the first time that people claim or imply they are fighters, when they are in fact not (it happened for example in Mexico, many thugs were pretending to be Marcos, but were obviously not, Marcos is a professor and talks like one, a very educated, if not convoluted Spanish). Or, more likely, journalists just want to make the implication themselves, since Hizbollah fighters never really announced who they were. I think, correct me if I am wrong, that it is not a "Shia" commitment but a political one. Assad was the go-between for Hizbollah and Iran, as well as a military tool for Assad. As for Israel, we might find out in decades what back room deals were done (as we now know of these back room deals with other governments 40 odd years ago), but it is hard to know what really goes on until then. I am curious about your take on Syria. The more I read, the more I just distrust everyone.
Robert Fisk is my favorite journalist. Old school, professional, courageous. I saw him in Berkeley, California in 2002. Rest In Peace, Sir.
I just picked up Frisk's "the great war of civilization" today, a gripping read. I know so little about western interference in the middle-east, but as an Irish person, it has special appeal to me; it will no doubts be something to reference in college.
we won't see his like again ... Farewell Sir and God Speed ... The world has lost a beacon of light
Robert Fisk is a charismatic personality. Just gives so much vibe of the old and holy lands of middle East
2/56 Not that there are many Christians left
Thank you for replying to my letter Robert Fisk and for writing Pity the Nation
Saddened to learn this September 2024 you passed away at only 74 four years ago
Alain Delon passed away last month at 88 while my mother is 96
Hope to share this soon with young 25 year old Wael from Lebanon
As usual, professional, unbiased and "first hand" views.
Salute from a fellow Old Suttonian, British/Lebanese
always good to hear robert fisk speak. he is a real authority on the ME.
Years ago when no one knew much, Robert shone. But, now I wonder. He was here keen to emphasise differences and showing off his Journalistic skills some of which bore no relationship to real life but appealed to the local and European consumption in order to exercise his ego of what he does abroad and glamorises the bits of danger he was in. A bit of Hillary's statement that she was under fire in Bosnia at the airport to advance her ambition into politics when it was found out later that she was no where near the airport when the bombs were exploding. But she hoped that this would advance her career. Robert appears to be doing similar thing here to the less informed media abroad.
@@Bobwollaton Fisk and Assad DICTATOR regime a long love $$ AFFAIR
great as always, speaks with great clarity and wisdom based on good intentions and objectivity. Thank you Mr Fisk.
God-bless you Robert Fisk May you rest in peace
Always interesting to listen to Fisk. This is what he said in 2013. In 2014 however, the US started bombing. The same year US-Russia tension spiked
I respect this journalist i guess he's the most famous one in the world. He spent 30 years in lebanon during wars and crises he's just a heoro
I trust Fisk very much. His kind demeanor makes him a very good journalist. People ought to listen to him more often when speaking-out about the Muslim world especially if they think they know the area just because they've read books on it.
agreed, down with Orientalism
He would have been a great journalist if he wasn't so biased against Iran. Unlike other independent journalist...he always has an axe to grind and that is in part due to fact that he is more swayed by main stream journalist. You don't see that with pepe Escobar, Vijay Preshad, Mk Bhadrakumar or others.
...Rest in PEACE !🙏
Does anyone have a clip of Fisk speaking Arabic? He claims he speaks the language.
He has died. This is a loss. 😔
I found this to be very disturbing... because he seems like he knows it all when it comes to different sects in Lebanon..which is not the case.
Although most of his info about islam is simply incorrect but I appreciate Fisk; at least he was trying....
Although I don't identify with a sect, you are wrong.....My uncle is a sunni and his name is Ali.....I have two brothers who are married to shias
Seriously Robert? This shows that after 38 years spent in Lebanon you still know nothing about the country. If someone's name is Ali then he's definitely a Shiite? Where do u get that from? Half of those whose name is Ali are Sunni. IF someone lives in Ramlet el Baydah then he must be Sunni? That's crap, Ramlet el Baydah has a lot of Shiite living in and has become predominantly Shiite. Shiites own most of the luxurious buildings along the shoreline.
Shiites and Sunnis rarely intermarry? They have always intermarried and they continue to do so. There was no issues between Shiites and Sunnis before 2005 and no one would even bring up the differences. They always lived in harmony and were married to each others.
You still require a lot of educations on Lebanon I'm afraid.
Well said.
I
1 Pl ^pq
+pacifico228 respect
+pacifico228 And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided
With due respect to my beloved Journalist Robbert Fisk, Mohammad PBUH was NOT illetrate in sense we know it today. the word Umi was mentioned in Quran, Umi does not mean illitrate per se but it mean someone whom was not thought by anyone.. or someone whom did not go to school .. that has its own beauty, as Quran is written in highly charming arabic, almost poetic to Arabs the verses of Quran at that time was enough to bring them to Islam. many Arab would had asked oh this is not the word of Mohammad PBUH himself he learned from that teacher or this teacher.. so that is is why Umi means someone whom did not had teacher because his teacher was God. Infact Prophet Mohammad PBUH known many languages.. when he went to Syria speaking with Syrian Christian in their languages and other people from different tribes were able to communicate with Prophet.
Spot facial features?
The Hizbollah guys knew who he was? Really?
"Not that there are many Christians left" .... ! Ali always a Shia?? !
Women don't go to mosques !! ??
I did wonder about those things. However, I am not sure why you wondered why the Hizbollah guys knew who he was, he was often in southern Lebanon during the war(s) and journalists seemed to know a few of them. Just curious.
Not all Ali s are Shias, women go to mosques. A couple of days and you could learn such things.
Journalists don't know Hizbollah fighters in general. What language would he be talking t to them in? Most don't speak English.
Gar Sm I think you only partly understood my question and statement. I actually agreed with you about the other statements. I know Ali's are not all Shias. Women in mosques and intermarriage are also ridiculous statements that he made. I guess I wasn't clear about that. When I said "I did wonder about those things" it was to express doubt at Robert Fisk's bizarre statements and agreement with you. It contradicts things I read about the Middle East, and even Hizbollah (who are Pan-Islamic if I am not mistaken and have a loose alliance with Sunni Hamas) I hope that clears that up.
My only question was about Hizbollah. A few journalists would claim to meet up with them from time to time, especially during the war (if their articles and books are to believed), such as Nicholas Branford. I always assumed they knew some Arabic since they lived in the Middle East for so long, or used translators (I think that is what Robert Fisk does). I find it hard to believe they didn't learn some Arabic (even in two years and with little motivation, I still learned some Chinese when I lived in China).
I generally like Robert Fisk, but this interview really disappointed me. I have noticed how he dumbs things down and makes overly generalized statements with certain audiences and forums. I was hoping to learn more about Syria from this interview, but his sweeping and inaccurate generalizations really made me distrust him.
Journalists have very limited contacts with Hizbollah. They know the press people and maybe have some contacts over time with certain officials ...
(that's inevitable really. Hizbollah doesn't trust them and is careful over its security).
... but the idea that fighters would recognise a western journalist I find very implausible, and of course it's the kind of thing no-one can check.
Hizbollah always say they will work with anyone who is against Israel ... but events of recent years have suggested their Shia commitments are stronger. The 'liberation' of Jerusalem they supposedly are committed to will have to wait until Assad and the Iraqi holy sites are secure.
Gar Sm Ah, that is what I wanted to know.
Yes, Hizbollah does have a very good press system. I find that sometimes these journalists like to show off a bit. The other thing that is difficult to verify is if they are, indeed, Hizbollah. Journalists often "guess" they are Hizbollah in their articles, and it wouldn't be the first time that people claim or imply they are fighters, when they are in fact not (it happened for example in Mexico, many thugs were pretending to be Marcos, but were obviously not, Marcos is a professor and talks like one, a very educated, if not convoluted Spanish). Or, more likely, journalists just want to make the implication themselves, since Hizbollah fighters never really announced who they were.
I think, correct me if I am wrong, that it is not a "Shia" commitment but a political one. Assad was the go-between for Hizbollah and Iran, as well as a military tool for Assad. As for Israel, we might find out in decades what back room deals were done (as we now know of these back room deals with other governments 40 odd years ago), but it is hard to know what really goes on until then.
I am curious about your take on Syria. The more I read, the more I just distrust everyone.
I haVE HEARD fISK IS DEAD. lONG LIVE fISK!