{"product_id":"armies-of-sand-the-past-present-and-future-of-arab-military-effectiveness-9780197524640","title":"Armies of Sand The Past Present and Future of","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA masterful, wide-ranging, compelling study of why Arab armies have typically fared poorly in combat. With this certain-to-be classic work, Ken Pollack solidifies his position as one of the world's foremost scholars on Middle Eastern military and political affairs. * General David Petraeus (US Army, Ret.), former Director of the CIA *\u003cbr\u003eKen Pollack argues convincingly that efforts to uncover causes of military success or failure must begin far from the battlefield. He shines new light on social, economic, political, and cultural impediments to improving military effectiveness in Arab states. His argument that the influence of culture is predominant is certain to generate introspection among Arab leaders and their overseas partners who support their military reform efforts. This should be read and debated by readers who want to understand better this complex and important region. * H.R. McMaster, Former National Security Advisor and author of Dereliction of Duty   *\u003cbr\u003eFew if any military analysts know as much, or have thought as deeply, about Arab armies as has Ken Pollack. In Armies of Sand-a masterpiece of political science-he distills a lifetime of learning to grapple with the most important and most difficult questions that lie at the intersection of technology, culture and politics. Essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of warfare in the Middle East. * Max Boot, author of Invisible Armies *\u003cbr\u003eArmies of Sand belongs in the library of every military professional serving in the Middle East, whether Western or Arab. It is a unique blend of military history and social science that comprehensively explains the military effectiveness of our Arab friends and foes alike. Pollack has courageously and objectively tackled the sensitive subject of culture, which we ignore at our peril. Armed with its insights, future commanders might avoid the surprises and frustrations that have long been the hallmarks of military operations in this theater of persistent conflict. * Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland, U.S. Army (Ret.); Commander of Coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, 2015-2016 *\u003cbr\u003eThis is a path-breaking volume on an uncomfortable topic: Arab military failure. Kenneth Pollack is the model of the engaged scholar, whose extensive field experience on today's battlefields complements his knowledge of military affairs and the Arab world more broadly. The volume is lucid, comprehensive and fascinating. His conclusions about the relationship between culture and military effectiveness will be controversial, but they are compellingly put and will set the terms of debate for years to come. * Eliot A. Cohen, Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, Johns Hopkins-SAIS *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eForeword Acknowledgments Introduction: The Six-Day War and the Mystery of Arab Military Ineffectiveness   1. Pattens of Arab Military Performance        Part I:  Soviet Doctrine 2.  The Soviet Way of War          3.  Arab Militaries and Soviet Doctrine       4.  North Korea, Cuba, and Soviet Doctrine       Part II:  Politicization 5.  Politicization          6.  Arab Militaries and Politicization: Egypt  7.  Arab Militaries and Politicization: Iraq       8. Politicization and the South Vietnamese Armed Forces     9.  Politicization and the Argentine Armed Forces      Part III:  Underdevelopment 10.  Economic Development and Military Effectiveness     11.  Economic Development and Syrian Military Effectiveness    12.  Economic Development and the Libya-Chad Wars     13.  Economic Development and Chinese Military Effectiveness    14.  Economic Development and Arab Military Effectiveness    Part IV:  Culture  15.  War and Culture  16.  Arab Culture as an Explanation for Military Ineffectiveness    17.  Aab Culture: Patterns and Predilections       18.  Arab Culture and Arab Military Effectiveness      19.  Arab Culture and Civilian Organizations       20.  Culture and Education:  The Causal Link      21.  Arab Military Training Methods         22.  Exceptional Arab Militaries:  State Armed Forces      23.  Exceptional Arab Militaries:  Nonstate Armies       Conclusions: The Past, Present, and Future of Arab Military Effectiveness    Notes  Selected Bibliography          Index","brand":"Oxford University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51358978769239,"sku":"9780197524640","price":22.32,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780197524640.jpg?v=1754123069","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/armies-of-sand-the-past-present-and-future-of-arab-military-effectiveness-9780197524640","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}