"Kenneth M. Pollack, describes and analyzes the military history of the six key Arab states - Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Syria - listing 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."--Jacket.

"A Council on Foreign Relations 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.

Egypt -- Iraq -- Jordan -- Libya -- Saudi Arabia -- Syria -- Conclusions and lessons.