Arabs at War - by Kenneth M Pollack (Paperback)

About the Book

Based in part on the author's dissertation (doctoral--MIT, 1996) under the title: The influence of Arab culture on Arab military effectiveness, 1948-1991.

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

Review Quotes

"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."

About the Author

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