SKU: 62811586458

Armies of Sand: The Past, Present, and Future of Arab Military Effectiveness

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Armies of Sand: The Past, Present, and Future of Arab Military EffectivenessSince the Second World War, Arab armed forces have consistently punched below their weight. They have lost many wars that by all rights they should have won, and in their best performances only ever achieved quite modest accomplishments. Over time, soldiers, scholars, and military experts have offered various explanations for this pattern. Reliance on Soviet military methods, the poor civil military relations of the Arab world, the underdevelopment of

Since the Second World War, Arab armed forces have consistently punched below their weight. They have lost many wars that by all rights they should have won, and in their best performances only ever achieved quite modest accomplishments. Over time, soldiers, scholars, and military experts have offered various explanations for this pattern. Reliance on Soviet military methods, the poor civil-military relations of the Arab world, the underdevelopment of the Arab states, and patterns of behavior derived from the wider Arab culture, have all been suggested as the ultimate source of Arab military difficulties. In Armies of Sand, Kenneth M. Pollack assesses these differing explanations and isolates the most important causes. Over the course of the book, he examines the combat performance of fifteen Arab armies and air forces in virtually every Middle Eastern war, from the Jordanians and Syrians in 1948 to Hizballah in 2006 and the Iraqis and ISIS in 2014-2017. The book ultimately concludes that reliance on Soviet doctrine was more of a help than a hindrance to the Arabs. In contrast, politicization and underdevelopment were both important factors limiting Arab military effectiveness, but patterns of behavior derived from the dominant Arab culture was the most important factor of all. Pollack closes with a discussion of the rapid changes occurring across the Arab world, and suggests that because both Arab society and warfare are changing, the problems that have bedeviled Arab armed forces in the past could dissipate or even vanish in the future, with potentially dramatic consequences for the Middle East military balance. Sweeping in its coverage, this will be the go-to reference for anyone interested in the history of warfare in the Middle East since 1945.


Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 01/15/2019
ISBN: 9780190906962
Pages: 696
Weight: 2.40lbs
Size: 9.50h x 6.40w x 1.70d

Review Citations: Choice 05/01/2019
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SKU: 62811586458

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Rukhsana mudassar
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Amazing for evening skin tone
I’ve been using Palmer’s Skin Success Fade Milk and I’m very happy with the results. The lotion is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t feel greasy at all. It keeps my skin well moisturized and over time I noticed my skin tone looking more even and brighter. I also like that it’s hydroquinone-free and contains niacinamide. The scent is mild and pleasant. Great quality product that delivers what it promises. I will definitely keep repurchasing!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2026
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Colette Colthirst
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 4
Good for skin
Yes!!!! This actually works but the results are not permanent you have to continue using. But it does work for while in use. Would not recommend for the face though. Or should I say do not use often on face because it makes the face so oily. And not in a good way.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2025
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Lovely Kayla
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
It works!
This is the only lotion I’ve been using on my body. I use koji acid Turmeric soap, and I use this lotion after. I’ve had these scars for years, and I’m definitely noticing a difference. I’m sure it’ll take months to finally get clear skin, but it does work. The lather could be better, so you do have to use a lot. I wish the bottle was bigger, especially since I use it on my entire body. So I have to use a lot. A bottle only last for about a month if your using it on large parts of your body. The smell isn’t bad at all, and it’s very lightweight. It doesn’t feel super moisturizing, but it’s good to SOLEY treat dark marks, but not your average everyday moisturizing lotion. But you can see a slight difference on my legs, and other parts have been clear very well. This is a great product, for a great price. I highly recommend pairing with a soap that treats dark spots.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2025
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edwidge jeudi
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Different package
I have been using this product for almost two years, and I absolutely love it, especially because I have very dry skin. It leaves my skin feeling extremely soft and well-moisturized even the next day. Over time, I also noticed that my dark spots started to fade. It is a great product, but it does take time to see results with dark spots. Yesterday, I ordered the same body lotion, but it arrived with a different packaging and formula. I was afraid it might affect the progress I’ve made with my skin, so I returned it and requested the original version I’ve been using.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2026
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Dulcimerbreezes
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 3
Scent is off putting.
Seems to be a nice lotion but for me, the aroma is off putting. That makes it hard for me to use on a consistent basis. It is moisturizing and not greasy. It absorbs well into my skin. I wish it were fragrance free. My spots are still with me but that’s my fault.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2026

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