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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MM72
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 3
Defective coarseness adjuster
Color: Tall Set - Black White
These salt and pepper shakers are ok. According to the description of the product, you should be able to adjust the coarseness of the salt and pepper added to them, but that was not my case. The coarseness adjuster on the set I received is set to one position and there is no way of changing it. The grinders work well, but if you are looking to adjust the coarseness of your salt and/or pepper look for another grinder set.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2026
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Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shakers with convenient dock
Color: Silver, Size: Rechargeable
These are very nice. Work very well. My only complaint is right where I pick them up is the button to turn them in so I’m always accidentally salting the counters lol. Easy to refill. We like the lights. I love that they have a charging dock so they are always fully charged. Very happy with them.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
You don’t have to shake it. I love it
Color: Silver, Size: Rechargeable
Different settings from fine to course. It has a light around the bottom where you can see how much you’re using. It stays charged for a while. The quality is great. Well made.
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Sarah M. Oliver
San Leandro, US
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great set
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Love this. it's been holding up well and haven't had any issues with it at all. Charge holds a while.
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RN1322
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Beautiful set
Color: Silver, Size: Rechargeable
So far love this set. It was a gift for my boyfriend and he loves it. The look is perfect, and so far functions as expected. Also the charge has lasted for months so far.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2026

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