Arabs at War

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

"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 "classic study." Fareed Zakaria's "World View" column in the April 7 issue of Newswee

• List of Tables; List of Maps; Preface; Acknowledgments Understanding Modern Arab Military Effectiveness 1. Egypt; 2. Iraq; 3. Jordan; 4. Libya; 5. Saudi Arabia; 6. Syria Conclusions and Lessons Notes; Selected Bibliography; Index