Thanassis Cambanis covered the
region as Middle East bureau chief for the Boston Globe, with a particular
focus on the Lebanon war and its aftermath. Since 2007, he has reported from
the Middle East for the New York Times and other publications. Cambanis teaches
journalism and foreign policy at Columbia University’s School of International
and Public Affairs and the New School in New York City, where he lives with his
family.
His first book, “A Privilege to Die: Inside Hezbollah’s Legions and
Their Endless War Against Israel,” examines how Hezbollah’s widespread
popularity rests on its ability to offer its followers economic reform,
affordable health care, dependable electricity, efficient courts and safe
streets, as well as victory over Israel. Also unique to the party is its powerful
doctrine of self-improvement, which challenges its members to fight ignorance
and poverty.