Review – The Cult of the Suicide Bomber

The suicide bombing of the Beirut Marine Barracks appears to have left a lasting impression on former CIA operative Robert Baer. That’s understandable, of course, though his obsession comes out in odd ways here and there in this documentary. That notwithstanding, this is a solid piece of film-making tracing the problem of suicide bombing in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Israel back to its roots in the Iran-Iraq War. Baer gets access to an impressive array of interview subjects ranging from a high-placed Ayatolah to an Israeli intelligence officer to the families of terrorist-martyr youths. Though not as balanced as it could have been, it was nonetheless more balanced than I expected. Certainly worth a look for anyone who’s interested in the topic. Mildly amusing