[Kermit]

I'd be interested to read what this author would say about Al Qaida training, doctrine and network. They seem to have overcome some of these weaknesses as seen by the fact that they have Egyptians, Chechens, Uzbeks, Chinese and others working together in a unit.

[OKSooner]

Good question. Bump this article for later read, in honor of a couple of my best ex-friends who are Arabs.

[Seydlitz]

I think that the al-Qaeda units, by virtue of their voluntary, multi-national and religious nature over come many of the hurdles of tribe and caste that afflict regular Arab armies. As historical precedent, there is the short-lived Arab Brigade during the fight for Iraq in WW II. Organized by a team of Brandenburgers (German commandos controlled by the Abwher), the Brigade had Islam and opposition to the British occupation as its organizing principles. Recruits came from all over the Middle East, provided by a recruiting network run by the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem - a former Ottoman officer and bitter foe of the English. Despite only a brief period in which to organize, the Brigade was able to fight toe-to-toe with the superb British led and trained Arab Legion (recruited from among Jordanian Bedouin). Among the Arab Brigade's more notable successes were the destruction of a Ghurka column sent to pursue it, and the daring capture of a number of British gunboats. Only when British air power became onerwhelming was the Brigade defeated. The best of the survivors were sent back to Germany for further training as commandos (most would subsequently spend the war in Greece, where the Arabs earned a reputation as superb, but brutal, light infantry).