Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness, 1948-1991 (Studies in War, Society, and the Military) - Softcover

Pollack, Kenneth M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0803287836 ISBN 13: 9780803287839

Publisher: Bison Books, 2004

Synopsis

Kenneth M. Pollack, formerly a Persian Gulf military analyst at the CIA and Director for Persian Gulf Affairs at the National Security Council, describes and analyzes the military history of the six key Arab states—Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Syria—during the post–World War II era. He shows in detail how each Arab military grew and learned from its own experiences in response to the specific objectives set for it and within often constrained political, economic, and social circumstances. This first-ever overview of the modern Arab approach to warfare provides a better understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the Arab militaries, some of which are the United States’ most likely adversaries, and some of which are our most important allies.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

CHOICE 2003 Outstanding Academic Title

A Council on Foreign Relations Book

A History Book Club Selection

"A much needed analysis of Arab military capabilities. . . . A well-researched and thoughtful book. It is a ‘must read’ at the Pentagon, U.S. Central Command, and in all military and intelligence organizations that work on the Middle East."—Middle East Journal. "An extremely valuable, compendious, and convincing military history of the contemporary Arab world, making this book a standard work of reference."—Foreign Affairs. "[A] classic study."—Newsweek. "This encyclopedic study will be of great interest to scholars, military planners and analysts, and policy makers. A must-read with Middle East ‘military balance’ studies, particularly those by Anthony H. Cordesman."—Choice.

"Pollack achieves the dual purpose of analyzing the factors that have consistently hindered these armed forces and providing a robust assessment of their strengths and weaknesses during various battles. Since the experiences of these forces continue to shape military action around the world, this important overview belongs in all military research libraries and larger university libraries."—Library Journal.

"A frank and statistically based historical assessment of Iraq's performance in war, along with the performances of Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness, 1948-1991 begins with the first of Egypt's engagements with Israel, and ends with the Gulf War, devoting a chapter each to the aforementioned nations . . . and focusing on everything from preparedness to unit cohesion."—Publishers Weekly.

Kenneth M. Pollack, formerly a Persian Gulf military analyst at the CIA and Director for Persian Gulf Affairs at the National Security Council, describes and analyzes the military history of the six key Arab states—Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Syria—during the post–World War II era. He shows in detail how each Arab military grew and learned from its own experiences in response to the specific objectives set for it and within often constrained political, economic, and social circumstances. This first-ever overview of the modern Arab approach to warfare provides a better understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the Arab militaries, some of which are the United States’ most likely adversaries, and some of which are our most important allies.

Kenneth M. Pollack is Olin Senior Fellow and Deputy Director for National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

About the Author:

Kenneth M. Pollack is Olin Senior Fellow and Deputy Director for National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bison Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0803287836
• ISBN 13: 9780803287839
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 717