Why Arabs lose wars

American Diplomacy ^ | Norvell B. De Atkine

[dyed_in_the_wool]

Having learned to perform some complicated procedure, an Arab technician knows that he is invaluable so long as he is the only one in a unit to have that knowledge; once he dispenses it to others he no longer is the only font of knowledge and his power dissipates. This explains the commonplace hoarding of manuals, books, training pamphlets, and other training or logistics literature.

I worked with a Pakistani Muslim and this was his M.O.
Of course, the knowledge he thought was so special, secret and protected wasn't worth squat. His departure only underscored his lack of value.
Just a cultural observation, I don't want to start an, uh, *ahem*, Holy War.

[bert]

........ARABIC-SPEAKING ARMIES have been generally ineffective in the modern era...

I would argue the same about most Arab groups in modern society. Not only the military but also industrialists have a hard time. Arabs are fantastic businessmen and traders, but they have a very difficult time with manufacturing and complex processes. This is to say, Arabs lack organizational skills necessary to manage industrial or military campaigns.

In America we have 100 years of industrial skills and the WW2 when military skills were largely developed.

The challenge for the Arabs is to see if the cadres of western educated young men can use their education to bring about change. They are opposed by formidable conservative opponents who allow no change at all.

The current situation is the result of the battle between the future and the past. This thought is the basis for the discussions between W and Bandar.

[Valin]

In many ways it really does matter what kind of culture a person comes from. As someone looking at the Arab culture from the outside it looks like they haven't left the middle ages behind. This is in many ways understandable as that was time time when they were an 800lb gorilla, but as someone said, that was then, this is now.

[Mr. Thorne]

Kipling said it a long time ago...

The 'eathen in his foolishness
must end where he began,
but the backbone of the army
is the non-commissioned man.

[Sabertooth]

The challenge for the Arabs is to see if the cadres of western educated young men can use their education to bring about change. They are opposed by formidable conservative opponents who allow no change at all.

The current situation is the result of the battle between the future and the past. This thought is the basis for the discussions between W and Bandar.

America and the West would not be well-served to educate cadres of young Arabs so long as Islam is a force in the Middle East and multiculturalism is a force in our universities.

We do not need to see the Industrialization of the Jihad.

[aculeus]

A long worthwhile read.

[Cyber Liberty]

Ping for self for later reading....

[Valin]

America and the West would not be well-served to educate cadres of young Arabs so long as Islam is a force in the Middle East and multiculturalism is a force in our universities.

True, but if these people could change their society to one that leaves the middle ages behind it would be a very good thing.
Of course I am more than a little skeptical that they could get any ideas about freedom, progress, the marketplace of ideas,....at most American universities.

[Publius6961]

Fighting against each other they are evenly matched, since they are subjest to the same failings.

Matched against any western power they are doomed to failure because they are fighting for what they are told or indoctrinated to believe or directed to do, not for what they personally believe, what they own, or what they have experienced first hand as worthwhile.

[maryz]

Great article -- thanks for posting!

[Dan Day]

Fascinating article, thanks for posting it.

[rudypoot]

"This is to say, Arabs lack organizational skills necessary to manage industrial or military campaigns."

I have to agree. Arab culture punishes individualism, creativity and leadership development. Once you start acting out of line with the rest of the herd, the mullahs put a fatwa on your butt. Being a good muslem means doing what you're told by the regional self-appointed gangster in-charge.

[LTCJ]

An absolutely outstanding article. A must read.

Having gone to graduate school with Arab and Persian students alike, and then worked in an industry that does a lot of business in the Mideast, much of this rings dead-true.

Freepers, if you read nothing else today, read both parts of this article. Twice.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Arabic speakers have no corner on keeping vital information to themselves. I've seen it in American business mid-level management many times.

[CPT Clay]

Good G-2!

[lds23]

Interesting article. Thanks for posting.

[bert]

"We do not need to see the Industrialization of the Jihad"

This statement indicates the complete misunderstanding of the forces of change that are underway. That is, a misunderstanding of the conflict and of the parties involved. The statement is an oxymoron.

Industrialization is already well underway and has been for let's say 30 years. Those who favor jihad oppose any change in the preindustrial status quo. They especially oppose an industrial society and all the sinful baggage that comes with it.

There are many American educated Arabs who are not Islamic zealots and who are attempting to use their education and Western contacts to improve their society at all levels. There are many who shun education and who have problems in a changing society because they can't compete. They respond by retreating to Islamic zealotry to stop the change.

[Sabertooth]

Those who favor jihad oppose any change in the preindustrial status quo. They especially oppose an industrial society and all the sinful baggage that comes with it.

That's a bit oversimplified. Saddam Hussein is fairly industrialized as Arab despots go, particularly with weapons systems. Despite being secular, he'll use jihad when it suits him.

The Iranian theocracy is hardly dogmatically opposed to industrialization, particulary of its military.

There's not a Holy Warrior alive who wouldn't want the industrial infrastucture to make their own nuclear weapons.

Islam is religious fascism, and far more motivated by antisemitism and antichristianity than by anti-industrialization. European fascism in the 20th Century was hardly incompatible with industry. To suggest that Islam and jihad are inherently incompatible with industrialization misses the mark.

[gcruse]

I really enjoyed reading both parts of this article.
This stopped me dead in my tracks, though.

"It obviously makes a big difference, however,
when the surrounding political culture is not only avowedly
democratic (as was the Soviet Union’s), but functionally so. "